Latvia – Latvijas Banka’s Fairy Tales Series 2016 Proof Silver 5 Euro 35mm x 42mm (31.47 grams) 0.925 Silver (0.9359 oz. ASW) Reference: KM# 174 | Engraver: Ligita Franckeviča, Designer: Gundega Muzikante Certification: NGC PF 69 ULTRA CAMEO 2854832-008 LATVIJA 2016, Princess carrying a hedgehog in her apron. 5 EURO EŽA KAŽOCIŅŠ, Herd of pigs led by a hedgehog and a fragment of an ethnographic building on the right.
Coin Notes: This Latvian fairy tale has been included in the UN anthology of fairy tales and legends “Ride with the Sun II”. Its literary, authored versions have also gained popularity, with Vilis Plūdons’s long poem (1921) being the best well known. Its emotional message is undoubtedly directed at a children’s audience. A puppet animation was made after it in 1972 and a three-dimensional computer animation in 2005. The musical by poet Māra Zālīte written in 1991 already carries the idea of Latvia’s renewal, with the fairy tale plot expressing socially topical themes and ideals of freedom.
In 2012, Latvijas Banka put into circulation a 1 lats coin with the image of a hedgehog on the reverse. Now its euro fairy tale series is supplemented by an oval 5 euro silver collector coin with the protagonist of the fairy tale “Hedgehog’s Coat” on it. It is an old folk tradition that one should also have a hedgehog’s needle in one’s hem or mitten – then the wearer will have good luck. In order to protect the prickly coats and for Latvian hedgehogs to do well, now it’s possible to use the coin for good luck.
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Fairy Tale of the Hedgehog:
Hedgehog had a needle coat; I had yet to point my finger – It was rolling in a ball.
That’s what we learn about the hedgehog from a folksong. This needle-coated animal has always been much loved. Urbanisation notwithstanding, many people have had their own personal encounters with this strange creature. Almost anyone who has met a hedgehog in a Latvian landscape or near a country house or a kitchen garden, has developed fond feelings for it and has wanted to take care of it, feed and domesticate it. A cautious animal, the hedgehog often gets used to the role of a family friend.
The hedgehog is often ascribed positive characteristics of humans: wisdom, diligence, kind-heartedness. It has become the symbol and role-model for these virtues. In Latvian fairy tales, the hedgehog is also depicted as a clever and sly character: quick thinking, imagination and the help from a friend allow him to win a race with the fast moving hare. In another fairy tale, resourcefulness, courage and patience let the puny hedgehog marry a princess and himself turn into a stately prince.
The plot involves a childless couple who finally get a son – in the form of a hedgehog. Even though small of stature, the hedgehog is so agile that, as he grows, up he manages to herd pigs in the big forest. Once upon a time, the king of the land somehow has got lost while hunting and asks the little swineherd to show him the way to the castle. The hedgehog is happy to oblige, but asks the king’s daughter’s hand in marriage for a reward. The king finally relents and accepts that condition for getting back home. The day comes when, wearing his Sunday’s best, the hedgehog drives to the castle in a birch-bark cart pulled by two black roosters. He marries the princess, but at night, while the hedgehog is sleeping, the bride throws his prickly coat into the fire. The coat burns, and the hedgehog also suffers great torment. Yet after the sun has set, he is miraculously cured and becomes a handsome prince. The prince invites his own parents to the castle and everyone lives happily ever after.
Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia (Latvian: Latvijas Republika), is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe , one of the three Baltic states . It is bordered by Estonia to the north, Lithuania to the south, Russia to the east, and Belarus to the southeast, as well as a maritime border to the west alongside Sweden . Latvia has 2,070,371 inhabitants and a territory of 64,589 km2 (24,938 sq mi). The country has a temperate seasonal climate .
Latvia is a democratic parliamentary republic established in 1918. The capital city is Riga , the European Capital of Culture 2014 . Latvian is the official language. Latvia is a unitary state , divided into 118 administrative divisions , of which 109 are municipalities and 9 are cities.
Latvians and Livs are the indigenous people of Latvia. Latvian is an Indo-European language ; it and Lithuanian are the only two surviving Baltic languages . Despite foreign rule from the 13th to 20th centuries, the Latvian nation maintained its identity throughout the generations via the language and musical traditions. Latvia and Estonia share a long common history . As a consequence of the Soviet occupation , both countries are home to a large number of ethnic Russians (26.9% in Latvia and 25.5% in Estonia ), some of whom are non-citizens . Latvia is historically predominantly Protestant Lutheran , except for the Latgale region in the southeast, which has historically been predominantly Roman Catholic . The Russian population has also brought a significant portion of Eastern Orthodox Christians.
The Republic of Latvia was founded on 18 November 1918. However, its de facto independence was interrupted at the outset of World War II . In 1940, the country was forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union , invaded and occupied by Nazi Germany in 1941, and re-occupied by the Soviets in 1944 to form the Latvian SSR for the next fifty years. The peaceful Singing Revolution , starting in 1987, called for Baltic emancipation of Soviet rule. It ended with the Declaration on the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia on 4 May 1990, and restoring de facto independence on 21 August 1991.
Latvia is a democratic and developed country and member of the European Union , NATO, the Council of Europe , the United Nations , CBSS , the IMF , NB8, NIB , OSCE and WTO . Latvia was invited to join the OECD in 2016. For 2014, Latvia was listed 46th on the Human Development Index and as a high income country on 1 July 2014. It used the Latvian lats as its currency until it was replaced by the euro on 1 January 2014.
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