The Bank of Lithuania issued into circulation a 5 euro collector’s coin, dedicated to literature (from the series “Lithuanian culture”); it was presented at the Writer’s Club in Vilnius to a group of writers, lovers of literature and accompanied by the music of M. K. Čiurlionis.
The Bank of Lithuania issued into circulation a 5 euro collector’s coin, dedicated to literature (from the series “Lithuanian culture”); it was presented at the Writer’s Club in Vilnius to a group of writers, lovers of literature and accompanied by the music of M. K. Čiurlionis.
“In understanding the importance of literature in a nation’s cultural life and seeking to honour Lithuanian writers — from the earliest founders to modern-day authors — we are issuing a coin for literature. We dedicate this coin also to all those who love literature, because without them — without those to whom authors dedicate their words, knowledge and feelings, there most likely wouldn’t be many books,” said Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, at the coin’s presentation.
Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, and Antanas A. Jonynas, Chairman of the Lithuanian writers union (photo by T. Lukšys, BFL)
Artist Rytas Jonas Belevičius, in creating the coin, attempted to express the idea of artistic inspiration, which comes to the author and later enriches the work’s reader. The reverse of the coin depicts the stylised turning of a book’s pages: from static to dynamic, reminiscent of a bird’s wings. The image of the Vytis on the coin is also different and minimalistic — reminiscent of being painted in light brush strokes.
Artist of the coin Rytas Jonas Belevičius (photo by T. Lukšys, BFL)
According to literary critic Valentinas Sventickas, in Lithuania’s history there wasn’t any other period similar to the present one in terms of the growth of fiction and its publishing. “All types and genres of literature are developing freely; there is a variety of topics, methods, styles. The value of the appearing publications and books is different and varied,” writes V. Sventickas, in the brochure released with the coin.
The coin dedicated to literature is the fifth from the series “Lithuanian culture”. The Bank of Lithuania has issued before 10 litas coins dedicated to music, theatre, art and cinema. Thus, the music of famous Lithuanian pianist Rokas Zubovas, who performed pieces by M.K. Čiurlionis during the event, in a subtle way, connected art of different types.
Photos by T. Lukšys, BFL
The silver coins, dedicated to literature, were minted by the UAB Lithuanian Mint; their mintage — 4,000 pcs. On the edge of the coin, the words LIETUVOS KULTŪRA*LITERATŪRA are inscribed. The coins, from their date of issue, can be purchased at the cash offices of the Bank of Lithuania in Vilnius (Totorių g.2/8 and Žirmūnų g. 151) and Kaunas (Maironio g. 25).
Each member state, the currency of which is the euro, has the right to mint collector euro coins, selecting the denomination, metal and other features at its discretion. These coins must significantly differ from circulation coins in at least two of the following three features: colour, diameter or weight. Such coins are legal tender only in the country that issues them, differently than circulation and commemorative coins, which are legal tender throughout the euro area.