Johann Bretke The founder of Lithuanian literature Country: Lithuania

1. Founder of Lithuanian Literature
2. Early Life and Education
3. Religious Career and Literary Works
4. Magnum Opus: "Postilla"
5. Biblical Translation

Founder of Lithuanian Literature

Bretkūnas is widely regarded as one of the founders of Lithuanian literature. His contributions to religious texts and the translation of the Bible into Lithuanian were instrumental in the development of the written language.

Early Life and Education

Born in the village of Bembliai, Bretkūnas came from a family of free peasants. He initially studied in Friedland and later attended the University of Königsberg in 1557. From 1563, he pursued his education at the University of Wittenberg.

Religious Career and Literary Works

In 1563, Bretkūnas became the pastor of Labguva. He began his literary career by compiling a Latin chronicle of East Prussia and translating the Bible into Lithuanian. In 1587, he was appointed as the Lithuanian pastor in Königsberg.

Bretkūnas translated German Protestant theological works and wrote the "Chronicon des Landes Preussen" in German, of which only fragments remain. In 1589, he compiled a collection of church hymns entitled "Giesmes Duchaunas" as well as the "Kollektas Alba Paspalitas Maldas" and "Kancionalas nekuru Giesmiu."

Magnum Opus: "Postilla"

Bretkūnas's most significant work was the "Postilla," a two-part collection of original and compiled sermons. Published in 1591, it was the first printed collection of sermons in Lithuanian and had a profound impact on the development of the written language.

Biblical Translation

For over a decade, Bretkūnas worked on translating the Bible into Lithuanian. However, this translation, which relied on canonical texts and Luther's German translation, was never published.