Tintin gets his own silver coin
2004-01-08 16:28
Brussels - Tintin got his own silver 10-euro coin on Thursday to kick off celebrations for the 75th anniversary of one of the world's most-famous cartoon characters.
Belgian finance minister Didier Reynders was on hand as the first coin of the dashing young reporter and his faithful dog, Snowy, was minted by the Belgian Royal Mint, two days ahead of Tintin's birthday.
"It is important not only to celebrate Tintin and (creator) Herge (who was born Georges Remi) in Belgium, but all over the world," he said.
Tintin first appeared in Le Vingtieme Siecle newspaper on January 10 1929, and he hasn't looked back since.
His 23 adventures have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into about 50 languages.
The festivities will be highlighted by the publication of new books on the character, travelling exhibits and a special tour in Brussels visiting some of the Tintin scenery and the home where Herge was born in 1907. He died in 1983.
- AP