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• Go the Books section for information about the most complete book about Skaryina, Frantzisk Skaryna and His Time: An Encyclopedic Handbook (1988). Note: It is in Belarusian and Russian, only.
• Also see news article: Work Completed on Monuments to Francisak Skaryna and Mikola Husowski in Belarusian State University Courtyard   (BelaPAN; May, 2000)
• Also see Father Nadson's article: Francis Skaryna, The First Belarusian Printer and Bible Scholar   (14 June 2001); at the Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum in London Web site

"Skoryna was born about 1490 in 'the glorious city of Polock' into a family of well-to-do merchants and was baptized into the Greek Orthodox faith. Polock was at that time one of the wealthiest cities in the country, paying to the state treasury an annual tax of 400 kop hroshej, while the city of Mensk (present day capital of Belorussia) paid only 60. Francis received his education first in Vilna, then in Cracow, Prague, and Padua, and, after extensive travel abroad, returned to his native land with a Medical Doctor's degree. His vernacular translation of the Bible was reprinted in Vilna by the brothers Mamonich, who set up the first printing press there in 1525. Skoryna subsequently abandoned medicine and dedicated himself entirely to translations of religious texts into 'the simple Russian language.' His purpose was to make them more comprehensible to the common man, 'since even many of the clergy were no longer able to understand Church Slavonic very well.' "

Source: Belorussia: The Making of a Nation, by Nicholas P Vakar (1956), page 53.

page from Skaryna's Ecclesiastes click image to view larger image

Article: Czech Republic: Renaissance Belarusian Scholar Honored By Walter Stankievich

"Prague, 31 October 1996 (RFE/RL) -- A statue of Francishak Skaryna, prominent 16th century Belarusian Bible translator and printer, is today being ceremoniously unveiled at a place near the Hradchany castle in Prague."

"Educated at the Cracow (Poland) and Padua (Italy) universities, Skaryna became famous when he translated and printed 23 books of the Bible in old Belarusian vernacular. Skaryna subsequently continued his publishing and printing in Vilna, today's Vilnius, then a center of Belarusian culture. He is considered one of the first printers in Eastern Europe. He traveled widely throughout Europe, but finally settled in Prague, where he died."

"Skaryna's contribution to the development of Belarusian culture and language has been recognized by both Western and Eastern scholars."

"The unveiling of his statue is being attended by a large official delegation from Belarus. It includes the current and former ministers of foreign affairs, Vladimir Syanko and Piotr Krauchanka, and the Minister of Culture Alyaksandr Sasnouski. The worldwide Association of Belarusians is represented by its chairwoman, Hanna Surmach. The ceremony is to be preceded by a conference at the Charles University in Prague on Skaryna's role in the 16th century Renaissance Europe."

Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc. All Rights Reserved.   used by permission.

Article: Festivities on the 480th Anniversary of Printing the Bible by Francisak Skaryna [in 1997]

"Festivities on the 480th anniversary of printing the Bible by Francisak Skaryna, are to take place in Prague on October 30 and 31 [1997]. The celebration itself started there as far back as September 5."

"Belarusian Deputy Foreign Minister Nina Mazai said at a September 25 news conference that participating in the festivities will be delegations from Bulgaria, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine and Yugoslavia. Among the organizers are the Prague Mayor's Office, the Francisak Skaryna Foundation, the Directorate of the Prague Eparchial Department, the Czech National Academy and the Prague University."

"The Belarusian organizing committee for the festivities and a delegation to the Czech Republic were formed under the patronage of the Belarusian State Committee on the Press. Festivities will also take place in other towns in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Ms. Mazai said."

Source: BelaPAN, No. 75; Friday, September 26, 1997; 2:00 p.m.

News Article: Ministry of Culture Believes Statue of Francisak Skaryna Should Be Placed in Front of National Academy of Sciences in Mensk

"The Belarusian Ministry of Culture believes a monument to Francisak Skaryna, the famous scholar and printing pioneer of the 16th century, should be placed near the building of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences in Mensk (Minsk)."

"As Valery Gedroits, deputy minister of culture, told reporters on October 3, a statue of Skaryna has already been cast in bronze. Ministry officials are soon to hold a third meeting with the leaders of the Academy of Sciences to discuss the statue's installation near the presidium's building, Mr. Gedroits said."

"He noted that there were many supporters and opponents of placing the statue in front of the building. Opponents, including leaders of the Academy of Sciences, believe that the monument does [not ?] match the architectural design of the building."

"The statue will be put up at a temporary pedestal, probably next year, to see how it looks like against the building's background, Mr. Gedroits said."

"The 6-meter statue was designed by Aleksandr Komlyuk and Yaroslav Linevich and cast by Aleksandr Dranets. Their design was selected as a result of a national competition in 1990-1991. The designers suggested putting up the statue in front of the building of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences."

Source: BelaPAN, No. 14; Tuesday, October 3, 2000; 10:40 p.m.