„“Giesmes Duchaunas” of 1589: Luther’s “Geisliche Lieder”“ 

It is a specific scientific publication, useful for Lithuanian philology, philologists, and researchers of the development of religions in Lithuania. This monograph consists of two inseparable parts: the first one suggests a partly new historical interpretation of the hymnal compiled by Jonas Bretkūnas, the second rewrites, together with its German equivalent, the texts of “duchaunas” – in accordance with the Luther’s “Geistische Lieder”. At the end of the book the lists of Lithuanian hymns and their equivalents in other languages are published, which help in understanding the content and context of Bretkūnas’ selection. The book certifies the existence of German cultural models in the traditions of Prussian Lithuanians and concludes that culturally, Lithuanians belonged to Europe already in the 16th century. The monograph’s author is the famous Italian linguist, closely related to Lithuanian science institutions, and in Lithuania defended his thesis for a Doctorate of Philology.