On Thursday, 11 May, Latvijas Banka will issue a silver collector coin "Stardust" dedicated to the distinguished figure of Latvian culture Imants Ziedonis.
Imants Ziedonis (3 May 1933–27 February 2013) lives in people's memories as a creative, active, energetic person, one of the most outstanding Latvian poets. A dreamer and an inspirer. A visionary who had the ability to see and to create beyond the borders. To see stardust in supposedly trivial things.
The creative work by Imants Ziedonis is one of the 99 values of the Latvian Cultural Canon. He was a poetry philosopher who could include big thoughts in small words. A complicated and versatile personality whose field of activity extended far beyond the poetry space: he was the initiator of the Great Trees Liberation movement, the author of the ideas of the Latvian Culture Foundation programmes – Daugava, Spīdola and the People's Archive. A person who established the criteria for the Latvian identity in the cultural space of the restored independent Latvia. He always urged people to find out more about their country. Therefore, the motive of the road – walking, movement, searching for the beautiful, essential – was important in his creative work. The vertical as a principle and necessity.
On 3 May 2023, Imants Ziedonis would turn 90. To memorialise the poet's creative spirit in coin art, Latvijas Banka is issuing a silver collector coin "Stardust" dedicated to Imants Ziedonis.
The graphic design of the coin has been created by artist and illustrator Līga Kitchen. The coin's obverse and reverse feature several images. The walking man symbolises the quest for truth, meaning and belonging. Meanwhile, the constellation symbolises the interconnection between the earth and sky, emphasises the fact that a human being – as stardust – is part of the universe. The tree abundant in living beings represents liveliness that is so intertwined with the poet's own vibrant industriousness and the nature of his texts.
How to purchase the coin
The collector coin will be available for purchase only on the website e-monetas.lv/en from 12:00 (noon) on 11 May.
Mail delivery or personal pickup from Latvijas Banka Cashier's Offices at Bezdelīgu iela 3, Riga, will be possible. To smooth out the customer flow on the premises, each customer will be notified of the date when the order becomes available for pickup at Latvijas Banka Cashier's Offices in the order confirmation. Orders will be available for pickup in a period of 20 business days starting from the date indicated in the order confirmation. There can be no changing of the starting date for the pickup period.
The price of the coin is 79.00 euro; the purchase limit for one buyer will be 5 coins.
The mintage of the coin is 4000.
The coin has been struck by UAB Lietuvos monetų kalykla (Lithuania).