Celebrating the 5555th issue of Respublika

On September 9th, 2008, the Lithuanian daily newspaper Respublika had its 5555th issue. The number is a bit magic, writes Ramune Vaiciulyte, the editor-in-chief.

Just for your information: Respublika has been published since 1989.09.16 in Lithuanian. Since 1991.01.07 it has also published a Russian language edition.

To celebrate our 5555th issue, we decided to make quite a different version of the newspaper. It had to:

• be delicate;
• reflect the magic of numbers;
• show what is Respublika and who are the people behind it;
• make intrigue and spread good humour.

What is original here is an idea to mark all pages of the newspaper with sentences, in which you could find a history of the newspaper, interesting details about journalists, readers and so on.

Please have a look and rejoice with us over this:

Translation: 18 — the total sum of these numbers marks the age of Respublika supplement „Pastoge“

Translation: 20 — such anniversary Respublika will celebrate next year

Translation: The blog of Respublika supplement „Laisvalaikis“ showed up that many days ago: 21

Translation: 26 — three times more grams is the weight of a Respublika issue

Translation: On the day, when Respublika came out, there were born that many children: 27

Some other examples of sentences:

• 2 — that many times a week came out first issues of the daily Respublika in 1989
• 4th — on that day of the week, Thursday, Respublika doesn’t write about bad things*
• From 1990s Respublika is published that many times a week: 5
• Till 19th Respublika’s birthday only several days are left: 7
• Symbolic, but 5555th number of Respublika came out on a day and a month, marked with the same figure: 9
• 10 — that many years ago our readers received colourful Respublika, printed on a new machine
• All criminals, corrupted politics are affraid of Respublika, like superstitiuos people are affraid of number 13
• 24 — that many hours per day does Respublika editorial office work
• The total reach of Respublika among readers this spring is: 25
• 30 — this is the number of years Respublika wishes to exist
• The average age of Respublika’s staff is: 31
• 32 — that many pages had the first issue of Respublika in January, 1990, as it became the thickest newspaper in Lithuania

So, here’s our idea. The last question is: maybe it’s good idea also for your newspaper?

* You’ll learn more about this idea (not to run negative stories on Thursdays) later on this blog.

(An article contributed by Ramune Vaiciulyte, editor-in-chief of Respublika, a Lithuanian daily newspaper.)

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