A coin dedicated to the centenary of the Satversme is unveiled at the Riga Castle
On 15 February, the President of Latvia Egils Levits, meeting with the Member of the Council of the Bank of Latvia Zita Zariņa and the Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court Aldis Laviņš, inaugurated the silver collection coin “Satversme 100″. The artist Aigars Ozoliņš also took part in the coin unveiling and spoke about the unique shape of the coin and its visual design.
The Bank of Latvia silver collection coin “Satversme 100″ is a tribute to the Constitution of Latvia — the Satversme, which was adopted on 15 February 1922 and determines the state system, values and relations between people and the state. The Constitution is one of the symbols of Latvia’s statehood.
The idea for the coin and the work on it have been carried out in close cooperation between the Bank of Latvia, the Constitutional Court and the Chancery of the President of Latvia.
“The coin dedicated to the centenary of the Satversme is special not only from an artistic point of view, but also because it is engraved with the values of the Satversme in Latvian, which will now become known throughout Europe. May this coin be a symbol of the values of the Latvian State enshrined in the Satversme! Thank you to the Bank of Latvia, the Constitutional Court and the artist Aigars Ozoliņš!” emphasised President Egils Levits, addressing the participants of the event.
Aldis Laviņš, the Vice-President of the Constitutional Court, pointed out “We can admire the talent and artistic creativity of the artist Aigars Ozoliņš, who created the graphic design of the “Satversme 100” coin, which has allowed the Satversme to literally become a work of art”.
“Sometimes the joy of giving is even greater than receiving a gift. This year we, the Bank of Latvia, will also celebrate our centenary, and therefore it is a double pleasure to present this coin to the Latvian society in celebration of the centenary of the Satversme,” emphasised Zita Zariņa, the Member of the Council of the Bank of Latvia. “Of course, the value of the Satversme cannot be expressed in terms of money, but both — a good constitution and good money — must bring stability and predictability to life. In other words, people need a clear foundation of the state and the law, and also secure money as a reference point for managing their lives”.
The solemn unveiling of the “Satversme 100″ coin is part of a number of activities taking place at the same time to celebrate the centenary of the adoption of the Satversme, including a solemn event and the official opening of the Constitutional Anniversary Year at the Saeima today, and the first discussion of the youth debate series “#Satversmei100: values for the future” at the Riga Castle.
The centenary of the Constitution also coincides with the centenary of the founding of the institution of the President of Latvia and the Bank of Latvia.
Information on the 100th anniversary of the Satversme (history, present, events) available here.
On 16 February, the Bank of Latvia will offer for purchase silver collector coin “Satversme 100″.
Information about the new coin is available here.
Coin video story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGu7ERS2AEs
Detailed description of the coin is available here.
Contact:
Public Relations and Protocol Division of the Constitutional Court
Tel: 67830749; 26494881
Chancery of the President
+371 67092106
info@president.lv
Press Service of the Bank of Latvia
Tel: 67022594; 67022384