2012-09-25
On a new silver coin – a motto of the prominent poet Maironis to defend Lithuania and keep its language
Today a 50 litas silver collectors’ (commemorative) coin dedicated to the 150th birth anniversary of Maironis (Jonas Mačiulis) which was issued by the Bank of Lithuania has been presented to the public in the branch of the Raseiniai Area History Museum in Maironis native land of Bernotai in Raseiniai region.
”Full of sense words on the edge of the coin ”GINKIME KALBĄ, ŽEMĘ, JOS BŪDĄ!“ (Keep our language, land, traditions) is a motto of the prominent public figure, sincere patriot for his contemporaries and all future generations of the Lithuanians”, said Audrius Misevičius, Member of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, Chairman of the Cash Design Commission. - It is s delight and symbolic that the coin dedicated to Maironis is seen off to its life in the native land of the national poet where twists of the rivers Sandrava and Luknė as well as valleys of the Dubysa inspired one of the most outstanding poets of Lithuania.”
Rytas Jonas Belevičius, artist of the coin, explained his creative idea as follows: ”I tried to depict on the edge of the coin a union of the material world wherein we live and of the spiritual element obligatory for one’s creative work. The right side of the coin bears a stylised portrait of Maironis, on its left-hand side is a fragment of his poem, and the middle of the coin resembles a mirror which, when you glance at it you may try to perceive the scope of the Great Poet’s heritage in your heart.”
A researcher of Maironis works the poetess Aldona Ruseckaitė writes in the coin dedicated brochure issued by the Bank of Lithuania: ”Maironis’ poems have remained popular among the Lithuanian people until today, they still have some place in their hearts. His verses remind of the ocean waves which retreat back and come to shore over and over again. During a more peaceful period in Lithuania’s history, the verses of the classic are as if at rest, but during difficult and elated mood periods in the state’s life, Maironis’ poems forge ahead. His poetry could be heard cited during the post-war period – the years of Soviet oppression, when thin volumes with Maironis’ poems were travelling to Siberia in the pockets of deportees who were learning them by heart, as well as during the mass meetings organised by Sajūdis, or at the barricades on the 13th of January.”
Participants of the arrangement in Bernotai were familiarised with the circulation and collectors coins that have already been issued by the Bank of Lithuania, they might participate in the quiz on this topic. Right-answer authors were presented with souvenirs.
Collector coins commemorate landmark events in the history of our state and the world, prominent people and architectural monuments.
The coins were minted at UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuanian Mint). Mintage – 3,000 pieces.
From the date of their issue, the new coins are sold at the cash office of the Bank of Lithuania in Vilnius (Totorių 2 and Žirmūnų. 151), Kaunas (Maironio 25), and Klaipėda (Naujoji Uosto 16). The price of the coin with a display box is LTL 170, without a display box – LTL 150.