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Lithuanian central bank issues collectors coins symbolising living Baltic Way chain

Danuta Pavilenene, BC, Vilnius, 20.08.2014.Print version
The two collectors coins – 25 and 50 litas – issued into circulation by the Bank of Lithuania to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Baltic Way depict a tree that is symbolic of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joining together in a living chain in the Baltic Way, reported BC press service of the Bank of Lithuania.

Photo: lietuvosbankas.lt

The leaves of the tree are in the colours of the flags of the three Baltic nations. On the reverse of both coins is a map, in the graphic elements of which for the first time the colours of the Republic of Lithuania's tricolour flag are encoded in heraldic symbols.

 

"The Baltic Way was a peaceful message from the three nations of their determination to be free from the yoke of bondage and proof that we can unite for the sake of a common goal. In issuing these coins we stress the importance of the event in our road towards Independence and it acts as a reminder that the freedom that we won is a value that we together must always unconditionally protect and cherish," said Vitas Vasiliauskas, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, during the coin presentation event which took place in Gediminas Castle Tower – this was the location where the Baltic Way began a quarter of a century ago.

 

"This action will remain in the history of mankind as one of the most impressive testimonies of how peace can overcome the most powerful machine of violence," wrote Dr Ceslovas Laurinavicius in the pamphlet issued with the coins.

 

Almost a quarter of a decade ago, on 23 August 1989, at 7 p.m. local time, a living chain stretched from Vilnius (Gediminas Hill) through Riga (Freedom Monument) to Tallinn (Toompea Castle) and stayed for about 15-20 minutes. It connected almost 2 million people; in Lithuania – about a million.

 

Taking into account the historical significance and uniqueness of this event, the Baltic Way is included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.






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