400th Ann of the 1st Printed Book in the National Language in B&H

Four centuries ago, in 1611, Friar Matija Divkovic published the "Nauk krstjanski za narod slovinski“ ("Christian doctrine for the Slavic people“), the 1st printed book in the national language in B&H. Friar Matija Divković was born in 1563 in Jelaske and died in the Olovo Franciscan monastery in 1631. There isn’t much information on his life but his works have experienced great popularity in the wide, Catholic nation. His role is great, not only in Christian education and training of Catholic faithful, but also in literacy of common people and standardization of Croatian language as well as stokavian – not only in B&H but also beyond.

"Nauk krstjanski za narod slovinski“ is an instructive work intended both for clergy and people. In it Divkovic is adjusting exposure and examples of western preachers to the perception of people in his region and their needs. Divkovic himself points out that in "Nauk krstjanski“ there are "many beautiful things useful to every Christian who wants to know the true faith and law of Jesus“. Printed in bosancica (Croatian Cyrillic) used by Franciscan, and was known to the ordinary people not only in B&H but also in Dalmatian coast and Dubrovnik. As there were no printing letters for bosnacica, Divkovic went to Venice, where he oversaw the outpouring of letters and matching according his description and desire. By printing the first book in the national language in B&H, the foundations of literature in this area have been laid down.