LITHUANIA: Lithuanian translation of the Koran proves popular with Vilnius' readers

Record ID: 815394

  • Title: LITHUANIA: Lithuanian translation of the Koran proves popular with Vilnius' readers
  • Date: 6th September 2008
  • Summary: (CEEF) VILNIUS, LITHUANIA (SEPTEMBER 2, 2008) (REUTERS) CUSTOMERS WALKING THROUGH BOOKSHOP, TRANSLATED KORAN ON BOOKSHELF VARIOUS OF KORAN TRANSLATIONS ON BOOK TABLE VARIOUS OF CUSTOMER READING KORAN IN BOOKSHOP (SOUNDBITE) (Lithuanian) BOOK SHOP COMMERCIAL MANAGER, VIKTORIJA TOLIUSHITE, SAYING: "The Koran, translated into Lithuanian, appeared on the bookstands in August and immediately become very popular among readers. At the moment it ranks third place among the most popular books in our bookshop." VARIOUS OF CUSTOMER LEAFING THROUGH KORAN IN BOOKSHOP KORAN COPIES ON BOOK TABLE EXTERIOR OF KORAN TRANSLATOR, SIGITAS GEDA'S HOUSE VARIOUS OF GEDAS WORKING AT HIS DESK KORAN TRANSLATION ON TOP OF PILE OF BOOKS (SOUNDBITE) (Lithuanian) HOLY KORAN TRANSLATOR INTO LITHUANIAN, SIGITAS GEDA, SAYING: "I have been interested in Islamic poetry for a large part of my life and poetry was the thing I was looking for in the Koran the first time. While I was doing the translation I had the original in sight and also the Koran's translations into Russian, Latvian, Polish, German and English. It took me seven years to finish the translation." DICTIONARIES ON DESK EXTERIOR OF VILNIUS UNIVERSITY INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, HEAD OF CENTRE OF AFRICAN AND ASIAN STUDIES AT THE INSTITUTE, EGDUNAS RACIUS, READING KORAN OPEN PAGES OF LITHUANIAN KORAN (SOUNDBITE) (Lithuanian) ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR EGDUNAS RACIUS, HEAD OF CENTRE OF AFRICAN AND ASIAN STUDIES OF INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE AT VILNIUS UNIVERSITY, SAYING: "Last month we saw the first Koran translation into Lithuanian hit the bookstands. It provides a unique chance for Lithuanians to get familiar with Islam, to learn more about this religion and, potentially, about the culture." ENGLISH AND LITHUANIAN KORAN TRANSLATIONS
  • Embargoed: 21st September 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Lithuania
  • Country: Lithuania
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA6E6GVDQ7YDW71H4060OGXTWQ5
  • Story Text: The first Lithuanian language version of the Holy Koran has been on sale in Lithuanian bookshops since August.
    The commercial manager of one branch of the Baltos Lankos book shop chain Viktorija Toliusyte said the translation had proved to be very popular with buyers coming into the Vilnius store where she works.

    "At the moment it ranks third place among most popular books in our book shop," she said.
    A copy of the Holy Koran translation costs 93 litas (27 euros). Despite the relatively high cost of the book a third of available copies have already been sold.
    In all 1,000 copies of the Lithuanian translation of the Holy Koran have been published.
    Renowned Lithuanian poet and translator Sigitas Geda has translated the Holy Koran into the Lithuanian language.
    Geda said he had been primarily interested in the poetry of the Koran.

    "I have been interested in Islamic poetry for a large part of my life and poetry was the thing I was looking for in the Koran the first time.
    While I was doing the translation I had the original in sight and also the Koran's translations into Russian, Latvian, Polish, German and English. It took me seven years to finish the translation," he said.
    Head of the Centre of African and Asian Studies of Vilnius' Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Egdunas Racius said the availability of a Lithuanian translation of the Koran made it easier for Lithuanians to familiarise themselves with the Muslim religion and culture.

    "Last month we saw the first Koran translation into Lithuanian hit the bookstands. It provides a unique chance for Lithuanians to get familiar with Islam, to learn more about this religion and, potentially, about the culture," Racius said.
    About 10,000 Muslims live in Lithuania, Racius said. Of these 1,000 are practising Muslims, he said.
    Turkic Tatars were the first Muslims to come to Lithuania in the 14th century.
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