WARSAW, Poland — In a historic milestone, the Bahá’í community of Poland has published the first print edition of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in Polish. This development is the culmination of a dedicated effort spanning almost three decades to bring Bahá’u’lláh’s Most Holy Book to Polish speakers.

“The journey to this publication has been long but deeply fulfilling,” said Mariusz Piotrowicz, the first translator to work on the project.

He adds: “This translation will serve future generations, offering a new perspective on Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.”

The preparation of this print edition follows the 2019 release of an initial digital version that has seen substantial enhancements ahead of its final publication.

The project gained significant momentum after members of Poland’s Bahá’í National Spiritual Assembly drew inspiration from participating in the 13th International Bahá’í Convention. Lilianna Niemiec-Lutley, a member of the National Assembly, recalled: “Being among some 1,400 delegates representing a cross-section of humanity was a powerful reminder of Bahá’u’lláh’s vision of a united and harmonious world.”

“This experience was a turning point,” she continued, “deeply energizing our translation efforts and reinforcing our dedication to this monumental task.”

The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is Bahá’u’lláh’s book of laws, first penned in Arabic around 1873 while He was still imprisoned within the city of ‘Akká.

The first authorized translation of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas was published in English in 1992, the year that marked the centenary of the passing of Bahá’u’lláh, followed by translations into other languages over the past three decades.

Mrs. Niemiec-Lutley reflected on the complex task of the Polish translation process, overseen by a dedicated team. “Our team was striving to faithfully capture the original text’s beauty and eloquence while meticulously adapting it to the nuanced characteristics of the Polish language.

“It was essential that the translation not only remain true to the original,” she continued, “but also resonate with the spiritual and linguistic sensibilities of the Polish-speaking community.”

Eryk Zywert, a legal scholar and proofreader for the project, reflected on the broader implications for the release of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas in Polish: “Working on this project has been not only an honor but a deeply enlightening experience. It brought into focus the discovery of goodness and beauty in the world and in people, something that is at the heart of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings.”

He added: “This translation invites people to connect more intimately with the Bahá’í teachings in their native language, opening new avenues for spiritual and societal reflection.”