The
Comenius programme focuses on the first phase of education,
from pre-school and primary to secondary schools. It is
relevant for all members of the education community: pupils,
teachers, local authorities, parents’ associations,
non-government organisations, teacher training institutes,
universities and all other educational staff.
Comenius became a pastor at age 24 and led the Brethren
into exile when the
Protestants were
persecuted under the Counter Reformation. He lived and
worked in many different countries in Europe, including
Sweden, the
Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth,
Transylvania, the
Holy Roman Empire,
England, the
Netherlands, and
Royal Hungary. Comenius
took refuge in
Leszno in
Poland, where he led
the
gymnasium, then moved
to Sweden to work with Queen
Christina and the
chancellor
Axel Oxenstierna. From
1642-1648 he went to Elbing (Elbląg)
in Polish
Royal Prussia, then to
England with the aid of
Samuel Hartlib, who
came originally from Elbing. In 1650 Zsuzsanna Lorántffy,
widow of
George I Rákóczi prince
of
Transylvania invited
him to
Sárospatak. Comenius
remained there until 1654 as professor in the first
Hungarian Protestant college; he wrote some of his most
important works there. Comenius returned to Leszno.
During the
Northern Wars in 1655,
he declared his support for the Protestant Swedish side,
for which his house, his manuscripts, and the school's
printing press were burned down by Polish partisans in
1656. From there he took refuge in
Amsterdam in the
Netherlands, where he died in 1670. For unclear reasons
he was buried in
Naarden, where his
grave can be visited in the mausoleum devoted to him.
