The Czech Republic receives the first Romani translation of the New Testament
For the first time in history, a translation of the New Testament into the Romani language has been published in the Czech Republic. The launch of the publication took place in an evangelical church in Prague's Smíchov district, which now also serves as a community space, café, and cultural venue.
The translation was worked on over a period of 12 years by Koloman Staněk, a Romani Christian, and published by the Romani congregation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Třebechovice pod Orebem.
"I would like to personally thank you very much. The previous translation, which was published in Slovakia, was not comprehensible to us. We understand this and we are very grateful for it," said one of the visitors who came from Plzeň with a group of friends. Among other things, they made the trip to Prague to buy the books in person and bring them back to their region.
The first part of the evening was a press conference with the translation team: coordinator Daniel Hrdinka, translator Koloman Staňek, translator and proofreader Zbyněk Andrš, and evangelical minister for minorities Mikuláš Vymětal. There were also musical performances and a panel discussion on the meaning of the Bible for today's society. The family-like and friendly atmosphere of the evening was underscored by a joint dinner consisting of Roma specialties.
The Romani New Testament has been translated into the so-called Abovian dialect - the Košice dialect of north-central Romani, which, according to Romani scholar Zbyněk Andrs, is understood by most Romani people in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
"Romani people, I have translated into Romani for you the book that is dearest to me - the Bible. I thank God for giving me strength, reason, and the people who helped me," the translator, Koloman Staněk, says in the preface to the Romani New Testament. He then explained to all those present the inner struggle with which he undertook the translation: "I felt that I was somehow called to it, but I resisted. I didn't trust myself, I didn't even have any equipment for such a task. And I kept repeating it in my prayers. But then I received a number of empty notebooks as a gift. And a week later someone else gave me 100 pencils. I took it as a sign and got to work..."
The handwritten translations were then transcribed into a computer, proofread, and then typeset and published in a book. All this was also thanks to the volunteer efforts of many people who were mostly connected in some way with the Seventh-day Adventist Church congregation in Třebechovice pod Orebem.
"During the work itself, the idea of translating the New Testament into Romani brought together people of different life stories, different knowledge, and skills. They were joined by ordinary believers - Romani people, with whom Koloman Staněk checked the clarity of expressions and ideas, as well as specialists in Romani grammar, proofreading, typesetting, printing, and also helpful donors who contributed to the printing costs. I very much wish that the Romani readers will also feel a connection to the roots of their culture in this Word, but also a spiritual connection to the kind Heavenly Father," said Daniel Hrdinka, the project coordinator.
Daniela Cincibusová, a member of the Commission for the Roma at the Ecumenical Council of Churches in the Czech Republic, a foster parent, teacher, social worker, and winner of the "Roma Spirit" award commented on this literary and translation project: "The New Testament in Romani might have a similar impact as the publication of the Bible in Czech did in its time. The people of that time kept their native language, among other things, thanks to the translation of the King James Bible.
Today, the Romani language is threatened with extinction in the Czech Republic, and the publication of "O Névo Zákonos" can play this important role, in addition to strengthening the Romani minority spiritually - reviving the Romani language so that it does not die."
Mikuláš Vymětal, Evangelical minister for minorities, played an indispensable role in the preparations for the evening. "I consider the publication of the entire New Testament in Romani to be one of the most important Christian events of 2022 in the Czech Republic. The Roma will finally get their hands on the entire New Testament - and at the same time non-Roma Christians will realize that there are many Roma living in the Czech Republic who profess the Christian faith," Vymětal said.
Jiří Hofman