2018-06-23 Sat

Latvia released a special silver collector coin celebrating the Garden of Destiny on 22nd June. Struck by the Royal Dutch Mint, the coloured obverse features the amphitheatre at the Garden of Destiny, surrounded by the Daugava waters, while the reverse features human faces in silver. Though the coin is legal tender in Latvia and can be purchased for 50.00 euro, it has a mintage limit of 3,000 pieces and will not be circulated widely.

People of Latvia eagerly wanted to build a national memorial site in honour all those 600,000 people who lost their lives during the country’s freedom movement in the 20th century. The Koknese Foundation was established on 7th June 2005 which worked towards the development of a memorial site. They not only wanted to commemorate the lives that were lost but also wanted to inspire the future generations.

Vilis and Marta V?tols donated 640,000 euro initially. Over the years almost 2.5 million euros have been put into the project. The Garden is built on an island in the Daugava River near Koknese. The area depicts the cultural and historical diversity of Zemgale, Selija, and Vidzeme where Latvia’s history and mythology come together. A Japanese landscape architect named Shunmyo Masuno won an international competition and his concept was selected. Koknese Foundation played a major role in building this beautiful Garden. More than 5,00,000 people have been involved in this project and tourists from at least 54 countries have visited the site.

Image Courtesy: Latvian Mint