In January 1622, cleric and writer of Albanian literature, Pjetër Budi, donated to the Vatican Library a copy of his first work, “Dottrina Christiana” (“Christian Doctrine“). The second part of this volume includes 10 of his poems. The book was published in Rome in 1618. Budi carefully used the vernacular, enriching it with new words. Budi’s work further enlivened Albanian cultural tradition, which Frang Bardhi, Pjetër Bogdani, and others continued. At the end of the work, he wrote: “Autor dono dedit Bibliothecae Vaticanae. 29 Ianuarii 1622” (“The author has given it as a gift to the Vatican Library. January 29, 1622“). (In the photo: 1) Pjetër Budi; 2) The book “Dottrina Christiana”)
Text: Robert Elsie, Historical Dictionary of Albania, Plymouth, UK, 2010, page 59.
Photo: © National History Museum
Graphic Processing: AHCF
