2005-11-17
The exhibition of the currency of the European Union opened in Kaunas includes the samples of the Lithuanian euro
Today, on 17 November, the exhibition “Genesis of Euro Coins” organised by the Bank of Lithuania jointly with the European Commission was opened in Kaunas branch of the Bank of Lithuania. The exhibition features the technological samples of euro coins with the symbol of Vytis available to the public for the first time. Lithuania will issue euro coins with the national side after the adoption of the euro.
The exhibition “Genesis of Euro Coins” presents the selection of the design of the common side and the national side of euro coins and the choice of the euro symbol. It exhibits euro coins issued by the states of the euro area and provides information on the preparation for euro coin production by Lithuania and other states that will be a part of the euro area in the future.
„This exhibition represents one of the steps by the Bank of Lithuania and the European Commission aimed at informing the public about euro coins, providing with as much information as possible on the single currency of Europe and creating the conditions for an adequate preparation to adopt the euro in Lithuania in the beginning of 2007”, noted Reinoldijus Sarkinas, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, during the opening of the exhibition.
A Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Lithuania and the European Commission for the organisation of information and communication campaigns on the changeover to the euro in Lithuania was signed this month. Under the Agreement, the European Commission will finance some public information measures on the changeover to the euro. The exhibition “Genesis of Euro Coins” was organised as a part of the Partnership Agreement.
Participants in the opening of the exhibition were Hervé Carre, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of the Economic and Financial Committee of the European Commission, Giedrius Rimsa, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, other guests.
Information on the exhibition and invitations to it were sent to all education institutions of Lithuania, and the media will present information on it.
Visitors of the exhibition will be able to get acquainted not only with the exposition, but also with the recent publications on the euro introduction in Lithuania, euro banknotes and coins and the European Union.
The exhibition will be open by 17 January 2006 at the Kaunas branch of the Bank of Lithuania (Maironio g. 25, Kaunas). Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 on business days; on Saturdays excursions may be ordered by advance registration. Entry is free of charge. Telephone for inquiries is (8 ~ 37) 49 06 15.
An excursion at the building of the Kaunas branch of the Bank of Lithuania will be organised for the visitors of the exhibition; the building was built in 1922 for the Bank of Lithuania and was one of the most beautiful and impressive buildings in Lithuania at that time.
The technological samples of euro coins with the symbol of Vytis displayed at the exhibition were minted by the state enterprise Lithuanian Mint which is under preparation for the minting of euro coins with the national side.