(1964) MiNr. 2030 A ** - Hungary - William Shakespeare

400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's birth

The year 1964 marked the worldwide 400th anniversary of the birth of William Shakespeare (1564-1616), one of the most important figures in world literature. The British playwright, poet, and actor was the author of more than thirty plays, hundreds of sonnets, and many other poetic works that are still among the foundations of Western cultural heritage today.

Shakespeare's works are known for their depth, the psychological sophistication of their characters, and timeless themes such as love, power, jealousy, betrayal, and death. His most famous plays include Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello or King Lear. His language, often rich in metaphor and puns, has become part of the English idiom and has influenced generations of writers, playwrights and philosophers.

The significance of this anniversary was commemorated in 1964 with a series of cultural events around the world, from theatrical performances to literary symposia to the issue of themed postage stamps, coins and commemorative prints. Commemorative items issued on this occasion often depict a likeness of Shakespeare based on an engraving from the 1623 First Folio Edition of his plays or selected motifs from his works.

Shakespeare was born and died in Stratford-upon-Avon, a town that has become a place of pilgrimage for admirers of his work. The anniversary of his birth is an opportunity not only to commemorate his contribution to literature, but also to reflect on how universal and relevant his texts remain four centuries after their creation.