Finland

2013

Commemorative coin

125th anniversary of the Nobel laureate Frans Eemil Sillanpää

Official Journal of the European Union

The inner part of the coin depicts Sillanpää's portrait. At the top, in semi-circle, the words ‘F. E. SILLANPÄÄ’. At the left, the year ‘1888’ and the mint mark. At the right, the year ‘1964’, the indication of the issuing country ‘FI’ and the year of issuance ‘2013’. This is a special coin to commemorate the grandfather of a whole nation. F. E. SILLANPÄÄ was a master of style who brought deep insights about the relationship between people and nature into Finnish literature. He was awarded the Nobel prize in 1939 based in particular on the works Meek Heritage and The Maid Silja. This masterful author gained even more national renown with his popular radio appearances and memorable Christmas columns. After the war years, the master writer evolved into the long-bearded ‘Taata’, the unofficial grandfather to the country. From recollections of his childhood Christmases emerged a well-loved tradition: Grandpa gathered the whole nation devoutly around their radios with his easy-going Christmas ‘talks’. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.

Additional information

The Finnish writer Frans Eemil Sillanpää (1888-1964) was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1939 "for his deep understanding of the peasant population of his country and the exquisite art with which he portrayed their way of life and their relationship with nature" - especially in his novels Miehen tie (One Man's Way) and Nuorena nukkunut (Silja, the Maid). He was a master of a particular style through which deep insights into the relationship between man and nature found their way into Finnish literature. Among his compatriots, this master storyteller was especially known for his popular radio broadcasts and unforgettable Christmas columns. After the war years, Sillanpää evolved into the long-bearded "Taata", the country's unofficial grandfather. His childhood Christmas memories gave rise to a popular tradition: at Christmastime, "Taata" would gather the entire nation in front of the radio, listening spellbound to his light-hearted Christmas tales.

Edge lettering

Designer