Address by the Vice President of the Constitutional Court Aldis Laviņš at the Presentation event of the coin “Constitution 100”
Vice President of the Constitutional Court of Latvia
Aldis Laviņš
Address at the Presentation event of the coin “Constitution 100”
Riga, 15 February 2022
Esteemed Mr President of Latvia!
Esteemed Mr President of the Bank of Latvia!
Esteemed Mr Ozoliņš!
Ladies and Gentlemen!
On the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, we are honoured that the values and ideas enshrined in the Constitution are visually reflected in the silver coin of the collection “Constitution 100”.
The Constitution has always stood by the people and the statehood of Latvia as a refuge and a guarantee that Latvia will be a happy and strong country in a united Europe. It is therefore natural that the spirit and letter of the Constitution should be reflected in a symbol of stability and Latvia’s belonging to the European cultural sphere such as the euro coin.
In his first article in Latvian, “What is the Constitution”, the poet and lawyer Rainis reminds us that the concept of the Constitution is the main source from which all the art and wisdom of the Constitution emanates, as it were, from itself. Indeed, it is wisdom and art to apply the concise text of the Constitution in such a way that the freedom and dignity of every person are protected and the existence of a democratic and law-governed Latvian state is promoted. The coin “Constitution 100” can also be considered an example of constitutional art, as it reflects the spirit of the Constitution, which permeates statehood, and highlights the most important values of our nation. We can admire the talent and artistic creativity of the artist Aigars Ozoliņš, who created the graphic design of the Constitution 100 coin, which has allowed the Constitution to literally become a work of art. Thank you!
The Constitution lays a firm foundation for the work of every institution and requires that the work of public officials be devoted to the good of the Latvian people and contribute to the well-being of the Latvian state. The President of Latvia, the Saeima, the Bank of Latvia and other important institutions began their work when the Constitution entered into force. On behalf of the Constitutional Court, I would like to congratulate the institution of the President of Latvia and the Bank of Latvia on this important anniversary and express my gratitude for their selfless work and responsible decisions, which have increased confidence in Latvia and its Constitution.
I am proud of the fact that the creation of the coin “Constitution 100” reflects the loyalty and effective cooperation of the constitutional institutions, as the Bank of Latvia, the Chancellery of the President of Latvia and the Constitutional Court have closely participated in the creation of the coin. Thank you for your excellent cooperation and contribution to strengthening Latvia’s statehood!
Like Jānis Čakste on the day the Constitution entered into force, today we will all hope and are convinced that the Constitution will allow each generation to build a free, strong and sustainable democratic state governed by the rule of law in Latvia!
Let us celebrate the Constitution – let us celebrate the fact that Latvia is a free, independent, democratic and law-abiding country where everyone has the opportunity to achieve prosperity and happiness!