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Primož Trubar was one of the most important figures (if not the most important) in Slovene history, who significantly contributed to the development of Slovene culture, and was the driving force behind Slovene Protestant movement, which maintained that all religious rites be performed in one's mother tongue. This brave ideal, however, got him prosecuted by the local authorities and eventually exiled. He had to flee to Germany where he authored the first two Slovene books, Catechismus and Abecedarium, which were printed in Tübingen.

Trubar was born on 8th June 1508 at Rašica in Dolenjska. His father, a miller and a carpenter, wanted his son to become a priest and sent him to Reka and Salzburg to complete his studies. Later on young Trubar went to Trieste where he was employed by Bishop Bonom, who introduced his young mind to Protestantism. Later he became a preacher and a canon in Ljubljana, preaching against superficial expressions of religious fervour yet Bishop Tekstor did not seem to share his views and began prosecuting him. Trubar had to flee to Germany in 1547 but returned to Ljubljana 14 years later to work as a superintendent. Things did not change, however, and Trubar had to flee to Germany again four years later. Until his death on 28th June 1586 he worked as a priest in Derendingen, where he is buried.

Trubar's work

Trubar authored 24 books, 22 in Slovene and two in German. Besides authoring Catechismus and Abecedarium, the very first Slovene books written in his own Rašica dialect (the main dialect of Slovene at the time, which he believed all Slovenes understood), he also translated the entire New Testament into Slovene with an aim of attracting new believers through the medium of the written word.

Catechismus contains some explanatory chapters from Protestant teachings, six poems, two prayers and a sermon on faith. Trubar's aspirations in writing this founding work of Slovene was to teach the basics of the Protestant faith to his countrymen and at the same time appease the Protestant clergy in Slovenia. The second work, Abecedarium, contains eight leafs, and is intended to teach the Slovenes how to read. Trubar writes in the latter: "A booklet so that the young and simple Slovenes could in the shortest time easily learn to read". Trubar's pioneering linguistic work thus unequivocally ranks him as the founder of the Slovene language and literature.

Consolidating Slovene identity

Trubar's addresses in which he called his countrymen "Dear Slovenes" testify to the fact that national identity had actually been formed even before the formation of national states or the programme "Slovenia United". These addresses had a profound effect on the formation of Slovene identity and Slovene culture in general. One of the best loved among these is the one about a mill wheel: "Just as the mill wheel relentlessly does turn, in like manner should Slovene books be read and written, so that Slovene could forth be spoken, my dear Slovenes". His life motto was "To Bear and Survive".

Slovene Protestant literature began and also virtually died out with Trubar. Protestant authors working side by side with him were largely taught by him - Jurij Dalmatin, Adam Bohorič and Sebastjan Krelj. Nevertheless, Trubar's work and the works of his contemporaries crucially influenced the flow of history in Slovenia, which has been much more favourable to the Slovene nation than previous centuries.

2008 - A long way coming

The 500th anniversary of the birth of Primož Trubar is one of the most important anniversaries the Slovene nation has ever witnessed, therefore it comes as no surprise that numerous events were held this year to commemorate the life and work of this exceptionally gifted Slovene. Foreigners and locals were able to enjoy an exhibition on Trubar's life at the National Museum of Slovenia, a series of events was held at Trubar's birth house at Rašica throughout the year, Euro coins were printed with Trubar's image, a book on Trubar was presented by the Slovene Scientific Foundation, etc. Various places and municipalities in Slovenia held numerous events throughout the year dedicated to this great Slovene and some events took place across the border also, particularly in those German towns where Trubar lived and worked.

The role of Primož Trubar in the formation of Slovene identity and language is unparalleled; his versatile creative life, exceptional courage, unconditional love for his nation and important contribution to the overall European religious and philosophical development make him a figure that stands out more than any other. Yet despite today's overall awareness of Trubar's significant contribution to the Slovene identity, culture and language, his value was, unfortunately, long overlooked. Even the 400th anniversary of his birth was observed by but a handful of intellectuals and writers, yet today, a century later, things have definitely changed for the better (Trubar's 500th birth anniversary was also included on the UNESCO anniversary list). It is safe to say that Trubar at last enjoys the status he had always merited and is nowadays celebrated as one of the greatest Slovenes that ever lived.