The Ten [Rusyn] Commandments

Vasyl’ Kocan, Slovakia

Translated by Brian Požun. Originally published in Rusyn, 5-6/2002.

1. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation, I will remain its son.

2. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation until the next census.

3. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation, and I’ll keep being a Slovak.

4. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation, but I’ll always drink whiskey.

5. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, and my children were Rusyns, so long as they were not exposed to Western culture.

6. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation, but I will campaign for the Hungarian Coalition party in the next election.

7. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation, but I will praise the histories of other nations.

8. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation, but I will be a Rusyn-Ukrainian from time to time.

9. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation, but I will still cry over my current problems.

10. I was, am and will be a Rusyn, I was born a Rusyn, I will not forget my honorable nation, but I do not know how I will survive in the European Union and NATO.