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Commemorative coin of the Principality of Andorra, issued in 2023 in a circulation of 70,000 copies. Dedicated to the Summer Solstice Festivals in the Pyrenees. Bimetallic, diameter 25.75 mm, weight 8.5 g. Minted at the Pessac Mint.
Obverse
The center of the coin depicts a dynamic figure of a "falla" - a participant in a traditional Pyrenean festival, who descends from a mountain slope with a burning torch (falla) in his hand, leaving behind a bright trajectory from the fire. In the background is a mountainous landscape of the Pyrenees with the contours of the mountains. Around the image is the inscription "FESTIVAL DEL SOLSTICI D'ESTIU" (Summer Solstice Festival) in Catalan. The coin also features the name of the country "ANDORRA" and the year of issue "2023". On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the European Union.
Reverse
The reverse is the common side of the 2 euro coins of the second type, designed by Luc Luix. A map of Europe without internal borders, on the left is the denomination "2" and the inscription "EURO", on the right is a map of the continent. On the outer ring are the 12 stars of the EU. On the band is a groove with the inscription "2 ★ ★", repeated six times.
Historical context
The Festes del foc del solstici d'estiu (Fire festivals of the summer solstice) are an ancient Iberian tradition, common in Andorra, Catalonia (Spain) and Occitania (France). The celebration takes place on the night of June 23-24, on the day of the summer solstice, when "falaires" descend from the mountain slopes with burning torches, and large bonfires are lit in the villages. Participants dance around the fire, jump over it, and share food and drinks. The tradition has prehistoric roots and is associated with the cult of the sun. In 2015, UNESCO included the "Summer Pyrenean Fire Festivals" on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In Andorra, this holiday is one of the important components of the country's cultural identity.