EUROPA 2023, "PEACE - The Highest Value of Humanity"
"EUROPA stamps" are special stamps issued by European postal administrations/enterprises and bears the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme.
EUROPA stamps underlines cooperation in the posts domain, taking into account promotion of philately. They also build awareness of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and its common goals.
As such, EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world.
Since the first issue in 1956, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe’s desire for closer integration and cooperation."
The decision was made at the 25 April 2022 meeting of the PostEurop board of directors after Ukrposhta proposed a change “to show solidarity with Ukraine and to promote the universal value for all humanity — peace.”
A contest was then held to select a common design to be used by all participating nations.
Public online voting ran from 9 May until 9 September.
There were 29 designs submitted in the competition with 44 postal administrations participating in the voting.
During their General Assembly meeting in Dublin, PostEurop announced the winning design on 5 October.
The winning motif is the one submitted by Luxembourg : “The New Peace Symbol”, created
by Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir from A Designers’ Collective. All participating postal services issue its version of the shared motif created by artists Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir.
The motif shows a new symbol of peace as a metaphor for a peaceful and integrated society, where humans embrace each other’s cultures.
Some countries issued an additional stamp of the same topic, but designed by other artists.
Many EUROPA stamps were issued on May 9th 2023, the Europe Day.
Europe Day, celebrated each year on 9 May, marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.
On this day in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea
for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, and this is considered to be the beginning
of what is now the European Union.
The first recognition of Europe Day was by the Council of Europe, introduced in 1964.
Members of EUROPA stamps program, who issued the "PEACE" stamp(s) in 2023:
Other countries and territories, who issued similar stamps:
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The following memebers of EUROPA programm, doesn't issued stamps in 2023:
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The Check-List of the PEACE stamps and other philatelic items is here.
You can save it as PDF or just print it and make some notes under the images.
Example is here.
Aland (Finland) - 09.05.2023
Technical Details: designer: Johanna Finne, art work of the second stamp: Sofia Pusa.Official Description: "The stamp illustrates a sunrise over Aland granite cliffs symbolising hope and new beginnings. The sun and its rays form the well-known peace sign, which has maritime roots. The symbol is based upon the letters N and D in the nautical flag alphabet. The letters stand for nuclear disarmament." Aland Stamps
| Stamps Set | Stamp Sheets | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Andorra-French - 10.05.2023
Official Description: "Peace is the state in which a society enjoys justice, freedom and social equality, and is neither in a situation of violence nor war. From the point of view of international law, peace is a fundamental value, an instrument of international relations, a channel for rationalizing the political power of States, establishing as a fundamental legal principle the prohibition of the use of armed force. We can also speak of "social peace" in the case of understanding and good relations between groups, classes or social strata within a country. On an individual level, peace can refer to an inner state free from anger or hatred. In this sense, it can be found in the traditional greeting "peace be with you" (or shalom in Hebrew, salam in Arabic). Related to the concept of peace is pacifism, which is the attitude that wars can never solve problems better than negotiations." La Poste| Stamp | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Andorra-Spanish - 09.05.2023
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Austria - 05.05.2023
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| Booklet of 4 stamps | Black print (not valid for postage) | Info Sheet | Example of Circulated cover |
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Azerbaijan - 10.07.2023
Technical Details: designer: Orkhan Garayev, printed by Bobruisk Integrated Printing House, Bobruisk, Belarus. Stamps Size: 40,3 х 40,3mm, Souvenir-Sheet Size: 125 x 90mm.| Stamps Set | Mini-Sheet (also as imperforate) | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Belgium - 12.06.2023
Official Description: A colourful background with the repetition of the V symbol. Stamp: A new symbol of peace inspired by the Celtic love knot. The intertwined lines seem to form hearts. The colours evoke all nations and all cultures.Design Stamp: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir (A Designers Collective) - commissioned by Post Luxembourg for the PostEurop competition on the theme of Peace.
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Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnian Authority) - 09.05.2023
Technical Details: Design: Linda Bos/ Runa Egilsdottir| Stamp | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croatian Authority, Post Mostar) - 09.05.2023
Technical Details: The edition contains two brands. The winning motif for the joint design of authors Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir (A Designers Collective) is a new sign that represents peace based on a European, centuries-old visual motif of a knot, a symbol of endless unity, friendship and love. It is inspired by the symbol of the Celtic love knot with intertwined hearts. Hands with intertwined fingers convey a message of mutual respect, and colors illustrate all the nations of the world.The second brand is the work of the author Marin Musa, depicting a white dove that carries an olive branch and symbolizes peace as the greatest value of humanity. The sky in the body of the dove symbolizes that under the sky we are all one. And the dove brings peace and prosperity to all people. Being one of the easiest to tame birds, the white dove is a symbol of peace, innocence and love. The olive branch in her beak represents fulfillment and hope after dark times. The dove carries a message of harmony and indicates that wars and conflicts are never the solution. (Željka Šaravanja)
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Bosnia and Herzegovina (Serbian Authority, Banja Luca) - 28.04.2023
Technical Details: "Peace is usually defined as a period without wars. It can refer to an agreement to end the war or end the occupation. Other definitions of peace include freedom from strife, tranquility, harmony or inner contentment, and cheerfulness...because the meaning of the word peace changes with context. A simple and non-extensive definition of peace says that peace is the absence of wars, as the Romans also defined it.The international organization responsible for maintaining peace between nations is the United Nations, whose goals are to facilitate cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and ultimately the achievement of world peace.
In the history of civilization, peace has always been the ideal state of society, but unfortunately, history is primarily characterized by the state of war and the armed resolution of conflict situations. That war is the dominant way of resolving conflicts in the history of civilization is also shown by the need of the international community to regulate the state of war with the Geneva Convention, which is still current today.
The discussion of peace is therefore simultaneously a discussion of the form of such peace. Is it simply the absence of war or does peace require special morality and justice? Peace must be seen in at least two forms: the simple silence of arms, the absence of war, and the absence of war accompanied by special requirements for the establishment of mutual relations, characterized by terms such as justice, mutual respect, respect for the law, and goodwill.
Peace, in every sense of the word, is man's greatest wealth. "There is no way to peace. "Peace is the way", said the great Mahatma Gandhi....." For my cause I am ready to die, but for no cause, my friend, I am not ready to kill".
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Bulgaria - 26.05.2023
Technical Details: Designer: Luba Tomova| Souvenir-Sheet | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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| Booklet (contains two Mini-Sheets of 4 stamps each) | Postal stationery | First-Day-Cover (FDC) | |
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Croatia - 09.05.2023
Official Description: The need to live in safe conditions is a fundamental human need. It gives us a sense of stability and peace. But peace is not only the absence of what directly threatens us, such as war and violence, but also that which indirectly and structurally threatens us. We strive for peace on a personal, social and global level, which indicates how highly we value it as humanity. We only understand the meaning of some things when they are taken away from us. When our peace is threatened, we realize that because of this, we cannot function normally on a daily basis. Therefore, peace is like an invisible thread that keeps our lives in equilibrium. According to Maslow's hierarchy, need is precisely security among basic human needs. It is reflected in that we strive to have a home, health, financial resources and a generally safe environment. We notice its significance in moments when our security is threatened, such as war, natural disasters, domestic violence, abuse, job loss and the like. This need for stability and peace is so essential that in such situations it is difficult for us to focus on other needs. The reasons for this are clear: the source of insecurity threatens us either physically, mentally, socially, or financially and brings unrest into our lives. The relevance of peace is also seen in the fact that it permeates all levels of our existence – from our private, inner, life to global events and crises. Peace is dynamic, ubiquitous, sometimes invisible, and sometimes the only thing we see. We strive for and advocate for peace at all levels of society, which truly makes it the highest value of humanity. magician.Psych. Iva Vukojevic, assistant. Croatian Post
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Cyprus - 09.05.2023
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Czech Republic - 09.05.2023
Technical Details: Designer: Kamil Knotek ; stamp size: 33 x 33 mm ; Multi-coloured offset ; the print run of 75 000 stamps.A stamp identified with the letter E corresponding to the price of Ordinary Item up to 50 g – European countries in international service (current price according to the Price List of Basic Postal Services: CZK 39). Czech Post
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Denmark - 04.05.2023
Technical Details: Designer: Ella Clausen; Printing method: Offset
Official Description: "The war between the neighboring countries of Russia and Ukraine has resulted in human suffering and destruction on a scale not witnessed in Europe since the end of WWII.
In all its barbarity, the war has demonstrated how fragile peace can be, which is why the member countries of PostEurop have chosen peace as the theme for theirjoint stamp issue in 2023.
The title of the new issue is thus: Peace; the highest value of humanity. The stamp has been created on the basis of a vote, and the design is the work of Posten in Luxembourg. In order to add a national dimension, PostNord has underscored the message by adding a slightly modified version of the Danish stamp that was issued in 1970 to mark the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Denmark from Nazi rule. Both then and now, the candle in the window stands proud as a symbol of peace." Reverse side of the FDC
| Souvenir-Sheet | Mini-Sheet (self-adhesive stamps) | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Estonia - 25.05.2023
Technical Details: designers: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir; Quantity Issued: 25.000; Perforation: 14 x 13¾; Printer: AS Vaba Maa; stamp size: 40.8 x 29.1 mm.Official Description: “The world needs a new Peace symbol, uniting all nations. Cultural differences perchance a barrier for a state of Peace. If only mankind could respect each other’s differences by understanding their significance and responding to them with consideration, the world would be a better place. This design shows a visual metaphor for a peacefully integrated, cooperative society in which people embrace each other’s culture. It was inspired by the Celtic Love Knot symbol, with interlocking hearts. The colour palette illustrates all the nations in the world. By adding hands with intertwined fingers, it conveys the message of mutual respect”. Post of Estonia
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Faroe Islands (Denmark) - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
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| Self-adhesive Stamp | Booklet of self-adhesive stamps | Example of Circulated cover (mint and self-adhesive stamps) | |
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Finland - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:| Stamp (self-adhesive) | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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France - 05.05.2023
Technical Details:| Stamp | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Sheet (FDS) |
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Georgia - 09.05.2023
Technical Details: Design: Author: G. Mamulashvili ; Quantity: 30.000| Stamp | Mini-Sheet | ||
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Germany - 05.05.2023
Technical Details:| Stamp | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark (Bonn) | First-Day-Sheet (FDS) |
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| Example of Circulated cover | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark (Berlin) | ||
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Gibraltar - 30.03.2023
Technical Details: Design: Stephen Perera ; Illustration / Photography: Stephen Perera, Linda Bos & Runa Egilsdottir ; Printer: Bpost Security Printing ; Process: Offset Lithography ; Colours: 4 Colours ; Stamp size: 40 x 30mm.Official Description: "Peace is a concept of societal friendship and harmony in the absence of hostility and violence. In a social sense, peace is commonly used to mean a lack of conflict (such as war) and freedom from fear of violence between individuals or groups. Throughout history, leaders have used peacemaking and diplomacy to establish a type of behavioral restraint that has resulted in the establishment of regional peace or economic growth through various forms of agreements or peace treaties. Such behavioral restraint has often resulted in the reduced conflict, greater economic interactivity, and consequently substantial prosperity." Post of Gibraltar
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| Souvenir-Sheet | Presentation Pack (single stamps) | Presentation Pack (Souvenir-Sheet) | First-Day-Cover (FDC) (Souvenir-Sheet) |
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Gibraltar - 04.07.2023 (ATM stamps)
Technical Details: Design: Stephen Perera ; Printer: Cartor Security Printers ; Process: Offset Lithography ; Colours: 4 Colours ; Stamp size: 55 x 25mm.| Stamps Set | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover | |
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Greece - 09.05.2023
Technical Details: Design: Marina Lassithio ; Printer: VERIDOS MATSOUKIS S.A. SECURITY PRINTING ; Process: Polychrome Offset; Quantity: 50.000; Colours: 4 Colours ; Stamp size: 35 x 55mm.Official Description: "The Greek edition is complemented by the candidate representation of ELTA in the competition, presenting the olive tree as a symbol of peace, euphoria, victory and honor composing the universal symbol, the Dove, as the main theme of the stamp." Post of Greece
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Greenland - 30.05.2023
Technical Details: Design: L. Bos and R. Egilsdottir & Martin Brandt Hansen ; Printer: ; Process: Offset; Stamp size: 40 x 30mm / 30 x 40mm.Official Description: Greenland’s own design adorns the second stamp in the set. It was created by young Martin Brandt Hansen, who graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 2022. The young artist from Nuuk says of his design entailing birds: “Three Arctic grouse fly together. Below them is the Northern Hemisphere with Europe and the Arctic. They each have a flower, which refers to the classic dove of peace. The flowers are Bluebell, Buttercup and Niviarsiaq (River beauty willowherb).” The latter is also the national flower of Greenland.
Post of Greenland
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Guernsey - 24.05.2023
Technical Details: Design: Two Degrees North ; Printer: Brebner Print ; Process: Offset Lithography ; Size: Stamp size: 40mm deep x 35mm wide, Mini-Sheet size: 100mm deep x 140mm deep.Official Description: "The theme of the 2023 EUROPA stamps issue is Peace: the highest value of humanity, to show solidarity with Ukraine.
Chris Griffiths, creative director at Two Degrees North in Guernsey, who designed Guernsey’s Europa stamps, says that the stamps designs are “completely hand-drawn and bespoke, and intended to appear slightly naive and child-like to represent a certain sense of innocence and wonder.
'The overall concept is one of humanity and peace on earth. The idea of the astronauts looking back on a happy earth allows for a lot of symbolism. The earth shows outward love towards humanity; the astronauts themselves represent a non-gender or political/racial bias - and they are holding one another to represent peace and harmony among all of humanity. They look back at earth and at each other, showing how humanity is reflecting upon itself.
Being set in ’space’ symbolises what the future may hold and also looking at humanity from the perspective that we are all in this together, and that peace is crucial for the existence of humanity.'" Post of Guernsey
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| Souvenir-Sheet | Presentation Pack | Example of Circulated cover | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Hungary - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir, Boglárka Nádi ; Printer: Pénzjegynyomda Zrt. (miniature sheet), Codex Zrt. (FDC) ; Process: Offset ; Size: Stamp size: 30mm x 40mm , Mini-Sheet size: 165mm x 67mm; Quantity: 20.000 Mini-Sheets
Official Description:
Peace is commonly perceived as living a calm, satisfying life and, in a social and political sense, a life without war. Preserving peace is everyone’s responsibility and one of the most important goals in human society. The war in the eastern half of Europe has become the sad reality of everyday life. This is why PostEurop decided to choose peace as the theme for the 2023 EUROPA stamp, announcing a stamp design competition among member states to select a common design motif. In this framework, all postal administrations could enter the competition with their own design and the postal enterprises of the member states decided by voting which design motif should appear on the common 2023 EUROPA stamp of the member states.
One of the stamps of the miniature sheet issued by Magyar Posta shows the Hungarian entry and the other the winning stamp submitted by Post Luxembourg designed by the graphic artists Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir. The Hungarian design features a girl hugging a dove, the symbol of peace and freedom. The girl’s smile and embrace together express that peace and reconciliation between people strengthen relationships and communities. The design of the joint stamp is a composition inspired by a Celtic knot and depicts intertwining hearts as a symbol of peace. The different colours stand for the nations of the world and the hands for cooperation and unity. The main element of the first day cover and the imprint of the special postmark is a stylised drawing of a dove of peace. Post of Hungary
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Ireland - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Ailbhe Phelan (N), Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir (W) ; Printer: Royal Joh. Enschedé ; Process: ; Size: Stamp size: 30mm x 51mm (N) , 40.5mm x 30mm (W); Paper: TR 196gsm self-adhesive Colour Multicolour with phosphor tagging
Official Description:
A notable feature of the winning PostEurop design competition for the ‘W’ denomination stamp is that it is inspired by the Celtic Love Knot symbol, with interlocking hearts. This represents a symbol of infinite unity, friendship and love. The POST Luxembourg winning entry offers a visual metaphor for a peacefully integrated, cooperative society, where people embrace each other’s culture.
The An Post ‘N’ stamp design reflects another dimension to this year’s chosen theme. The bilingual stamp is inspired by the concept that individual nations, represented as multicoloured birds, can come together as one flock to be a driving force for peace.
The visual representation depicts the birds flying up from their respective homelands to join as one continuous stream or flock that flies, as one force, to wherever peace is needed. Post of Ireland
| Stamps Set (self-adhesive) | Booklets | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Isle of Man - 05.07.2023
Technical Details:Design: EJC Design ; Printer: Cartor ; Process: Offset Lithography ; Size: 52mm x 40mm ,
Official Description:
Celebrating our 50th Anniversary the Post of Isle of Man presented seven stamps: six stamps are featured a 'stamp on stamp' design, collaging a journey through 50 years of postal independence by the Isle of Man Post Office.
An additional stamp in isolation, seen upon the sixth stamp of the set of six, represents the Europa Stamp 2023 themed: 'PEACE - The Highest Value of Humanity'.
Presented in isolation of the set of six is the 2023 Europa stamp (seen upon the sixth stamp of this collection). 'PEACE - the Highest Value of Humanity' was proposed by the Ukrainian Post Office and chosen by PostEurop to show solidarity with Ukraine and to promote the universal value for all humanity - peace. Post of Isle of Man
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Italy - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
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| Example of Circulated cover | Maxi Card | Souvenir-Folder | |
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Jersey - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
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Kazakhstan - 08.07.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
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Latvia - 09.05.2023
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Liechtenstein - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
| Stamps Set | Mini-Sheets | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Lithuania - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
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Luxembourg - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
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Malta - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Designer: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir; Perforation: 13.9 x 14.0 ; Process: offset ; Watermark: Maltese Crosses ; Size: stamp: 31mm x 44mm, Mini-Sheet: 150mm x 160mm
Official Description:
While cultural differences may be an obstacle to the creation of a peaceful society, the world would be a better place if only people could accept each other's differences. MaltaPost proudly participates in this noble pan-European initiative and issues the Peace stamp on 9 May 2023. On this date, the European Union celebrates Europe Day which marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of 1950, considered to be the first official step in the creation of a united Europe. Post of Malta
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Moldova - 28.04.2023
Technical Details:Design: Eugeniu Verebceanu Printing process: Size: 46,00mm x 27,50 mm Quantity: 30.000 sets
Official Description:
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Monaco - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Linda Bos, Runa Egilsdottir Printing process: Offset Size: 40,85mm x 30 mm Quantity: 40.000
Official Description:
This year, PostEurop has chosen as the theme for the EUROPA 2023 stamps "Peace: the highest value of humanity". A common motif was selected through a design contest. The winning design, by Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir (A Designers’ Collective), shows a visual metaphor for a peacefully integrated, cooperative society in which people embrace each other’s culture. It was inspired by the Celtic Love Knot symbol, with interlocking hearts. The colour palette illustrates all the nations in the world. By adding hands with intertwined fingers, it conveys the message of mutual respect. Ppst of Monaco
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Montenegro - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Linda Bos, Runa Egilsdottir, adaptation of the design solution: Romana Pehar, a painter from Kotor; Printer: "Blicdruk" - Sarajevo ; Process: ; Paper: Tullis Russell; Size: 42mm x 28mm ; Perforation: 13.25 ; Quatation: 40.000
Official Description:
PEACE – the greatest value of humanity. Singing about peace, the Montenegrin poet Vitomir Vito Nikolić said:
"Sometimes a strange desire seizes me, to buy a postcard and write: 'It's good: the post office works, there's no war...' And nothing more. "
The message of peace is the most valuable shipment, which this year is sent jointly by the postal sector. Ppst of Montenegro
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The Netherlands - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Bart de Haas, the Hague; Printer: Royal Joh. Enschede B.V., Haarlem; Process: Offset ; Paper: ; Size: 36mm x 25mm, Mini-Sheet: 108mm x 150mm ; Perforation: ; Quatation: 60.000
Official Description:
PostNL’s Peace, the highest value of humanity stamps feature Post Luxembourg’s winning design motif: colourful infinity knots linked together in a double heart shape. The knots end in stylised intertwined hands. The colour palette used symbolises all the nations of the world. According to PostEurop’s jury report, the motif is a visual metaphor for a peaceful society in which cooperation with respect for each other's culture takes centre stage. The design of the Dutch stamp sheet was created by Bart de Haas from the Hague.
The typography of the texts uses the Nobel font, designed by Sjoerd Hendrik de Roos (1877-1962) and Dick Dooijes (1909-1998) for the Lettergieterij Amsterdam between 1932 and 1935. In 1993, Andrea Fuchs and Fred Smeijers released a digital version for Dutch Type Library (DTL). This is the version that was used for the stamp sheet.
In 2022, PostEurop launched a competition for the mandatory common design theme ‘Peace – the highest value of humanity.’ Post Luxembourg’s winning entry was created by Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir of A Designers Collective. All participating countries must incorporate this motif in their own stamp design, supplemented by their own postage value, country of issue and other postal information.
The design of the Dutch version of the Peace, the highest value of humanity stamp sheet was created by Bart de Haas from the Hague. He incorporated Post Luxembourg’s design motif into the Dutch stamps and gave it his own twist with, among other things, the typography and the design of the sheet edge. Using the work of other designers was not difficult in the case of this motif, De Haas explains. ‘On behalf of PostNL, I had also submitted a proposal for the design motif. Our entry and Post Luxembourg's were actually very similar. They both had a predominantly graphic character, with the same principles of interconnection, colourfulness and universal values. There were also similarities in the form, such as the diagonal orientation with infinite knots, hands and heart shapes. Even the colour palette was almost identical.’
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Republic of North Macedonia - 10.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
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Norway - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
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Poland - 25.04.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
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Portugal (mainland) - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Linda Bos / Runa Egisdottir ; Printer: bpost Philately & Stamps Printing ; Process: Offset ; Paper: ; Size: 40mm x 30.6mm, Souvenir-Sheet: 95mm x 125mm ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
Official Description:
"We can all agree that peace is important. There are, however, objective differences as to the true meaning of the term. For some, it means the absence of violence or war, but for others it is understood as a serene and calm state of mind, living in harmony and tranquillity.
These meanings of the word peace, in fact, are complementary and function at different levels of the social complex, according to the framework created by the religious beliefs, social theories or other superstructures that are prevalent in each society.
Peace can be defined in binary language (it does or does not exist) or in terms of continuous adaptive processes. It can be empirical and abstract or more specifically legislated by international rules, such as peace treaties. Within this range of meanings, however, peace tends to be found in harmony with concepts such as justice, freedom and equality. And it positions itself in opposition to other concepts such as violence, abuses of power and social conflicts.
Peace is thus part of the fabric that links human relationships all around the world. And the multiple scope of its meanings is defined by the relationship it maintains with other divisive themes – positive and negative −, in each historical moment and in each society. We are all eager to achieve a state of security and calmness that emerges in the absence of conflict. And it is a paradox that we still retain that universal eagerness in today's war-torn world. Without peace, it will not be possible to achieve the levels of trust, cooperation and inclusion necessary for societies to face natural disasters arm in arm, to resolve their disputes and adapt to environmental changes, prioritising harmony and freedom.
The true secret for us to achieve peace is to create a community that respects others and is tolerant and inclusive, one that does not allow behaviour such as discrimination, intolerance of differences or violation of the social rules of coexistence.
For all these reasons, peace has always been among the highest values of humanity, and for some is even the greatest value of all." WOPA+
| Stamp | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC), includung stamps of Azores and Madeira islands |
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| Example of Circulated cover | Souvenir-Sheet | Maxi Card | First-Day-Cover (FDC), with the Souvenir-Sheet |
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Portugal (Azores islands) - 09.05.2023
| Stamp | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Only one postmark of the Lisabon was produced - see above | Only one FDC with all 3 stamps: mainland, Azores and Madeira islands was produced - see above. |
| Souvenir-Sheet | Maxi Card | First-Day-Cover (FDC), with the Souvenir-Sheet | |
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Portugal (Madeira islands) - 09.05.2023
| Stamp | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Only one postmark of the Lisabon was produced - see above | Only one FDC with all 3 stamps: mainland, Azores and Madeira islands was produced - see above. |
| Souvenir-Sheet | Maxi Card | First-Day-Cover (FDC), with the Souvenir-Sheet | |
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Romania - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Mihai Criste ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: 42 mm x 27 mm ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
Official Description:
The drawing reproduced on the stamp made by Romania belongs to the graphic artist Mihai Criste. The concept brings together the image of the sunflower, symbol of Flower Power, representing the peace movement of the 1960s as a protest against the Vietnam War, and the universal messenger and symbol of peace: the dove. The yellow petals of the sunflower are personified as doves, which in a directed action extract the seeds of the flower to create the image of an earth globe. The bright yellow of the doves’ plumage symbolically emanates the light of the beneficent sun. Post of Romania
| Mini-Sheet 1 | Stamps Sheets | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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San Marino - 25.04.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
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Serbia - 05.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
Official Description:
Life without fear of conflict, development of free society based on justice and freedom, mutual cooperation of people and nations of different cultures, customs and beliefs are not possible without global peace. Only in peace can societies based on the principles of justice, freedom and equality develop. That is why peace is the highest value of humanity and a common challenge for all people and nations and requires the cooperation and solidarity of all.
Bearing in mind the challenges of modern times and the current global circumstances, PostEurop, the association of postal operators of Europe, has decided that the motif of the traditional issue of commemorative postage stamps EUROPA in 2023 will be dedicated to peace as the highest value of humanity and will be shared by all members of the association.
In a special competition in 2022, the jury of the PostEurop association chose the proposal for the motif of the Post of Luxembourg and it is the motif on the 48 dinars stamp of this issue.
The motif was created by Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdóttir, and is a visual metaphor for a peaceful integrated society where people accept each other’s culture. It is inspired by the symbol of the Celtic love knot, with intertwined hearts, while the colour palette illustrates all the peoples of the world, and hands with intertwined fingers carry a message of mutual respect.
The motif on the second stamp of the issue is a vision of peace as the highest value of humanity, as an original artistic solution of every postal operator, so the motif on the 120 dinar stamp and the FDC envelope is the White dove of peace, an artistic solution by the world-famous artists from Serbia, the Zamurović brothers. The white dove is a universally recognizable symbol of peace that emerges with an olive branch from the dark forest, symbolizing all the security challenges of modern humanity, bringing hope that global peace, as a universal and highest human value, is still possible.
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Slovakia - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
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Slovenia - 26.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Marko Prah ; Printer: Agencija za komercijalnu djelatnost d.o.o., Zagreb, Croatia ; Process: 4-colour offset in sheetlets of 8 stamps + a label ; Paper: Tullis Russell Chancellor Litho PVA RMS GUM, 102 g/m2 ; Size: ; Perforation: 14 x 14 ; Quatation:
Official Description:
"The theme of these two stamps prompts us to ask how much the word "peace" still means in the various languages of the world. If it did mean something, we would not be faced, in the modern world, with the menacing decisions and actions that, through countless wars and conflicts, have exactly the opposite effect. The Slovene word for peace is mir. In other languages this word (and variants thereof) not only refers to the lasting peace that we all yearn for, it also has meanings of "world", "humanity", "universe" and "tranquillity". Proto-Slavonic and Indo-European meanings also cover notions such as "good", "dear" and "agreeable". How wonderful this all sounds, yet we soon realise that these meanings are unknown to those individuals and groups whose thoughtless and selfish actions are destroying this highest value of humanity. The threat to peace is, today, a fundamental threat facing the whole of humanity. Despite all the opportunities offered by the latest forms of communication, which are meant to bring individuals, families, groups and the inhabitants of the local and regional environments of the world closer together, we are still seeing individuals and groups who, with the abundant support of capital, are realising their desire to destroy everything positive that humankind has created on our planet over the course of centuries. Above all, those precious elements of our natural and cultural environments that allow people on this Earth a noble coexistence, respecting the many differences of economic systems, social conditions and forms of spirituality that can only enrich us, not divide us!"
Janez Bogataj
Post of Slovenia
| Stamps Set | Mini-Sheets | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Spain - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: Offset ; Paper: Coated, gummed, phosphorescent ; Size: 40.9 mm x 28 mm ; Perforation: ; Quatation: 130.000
Official Description:
As a differentiating factor, Spain presents the stamp in a premium sheet where a varied group of people carry different colored ribbons as a reference to the intertwined "hand-bows" of the stamp to reinforce the message of diversity and mutual respect, which are conditions to achieve and maintain peace. Post of Spain
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Sweden - 27.04.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: 36.6 mm x 26.5 mm ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
Official Description:
| Self-adhesive Stamps (printed in coils of 100) | Mini-Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Switzerland - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: 36.6 mm x 26.5 mm ; Perforation: ; Quatation:
Official Description:
"... Swiss Post also submitted a design for the European vote. It had been chosen in an internal competition in the run-up to the international contest and is being published in Switzerland on a separate sheet, as an accompaniment to the Luxembourg stamp. It features the olive branch, a cross-cultural symbol of peace that goes back many centuries. The complementary colour composition of the hand-drawn illustration gives the branch a special vibrancy. The hands holding it aloft with their combined strength are an emblem of our collective effort to achieve a better world, and the stamp symbolizes the importance of peace as the highest value of humanity." Post of Switzerland
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Turkey - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: ; Printer: :PTT PRINTERY ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: ; Perforation: ; Quatation: 100.000
Official Description:
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Ukraine - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Linda Bos, Runa Egilsdottir, Maria Suslova ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: 30 mm x 37.5 mm, Mini-Sheet: 116 mm x 101 mm ; Perforation: ; Quatation: 100.000
Official Description:
"EUROPA. Peace is the highest value of humanity" is the theme of the EUROPA stamps issue initiated by Ukrposhta because of the russian large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. According to the competition announced by PostEurop for the best postage stamp design, the Luxembourg Post won. The drawing depicting the new peace sign, which, according to the rules of the competition, is reproduced on EUROPA postage stamps by all postal administrations – members of PostEurop, was created by designers Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir based on the Celtic love knot. F or every Ukrainian today, the highest value is not only Peace, but also Victory. "Peace, Victory, Ukraine are the values we are fighting for," said the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. His words became the leitmotif for the Ukrainian postage stamp of this issue by Maria Suslova, whose work took the 2nd place in the drawing competition. Post of Ukraine
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Vatican - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Design: Linda Bos, Runa Egilsdottir, Maria Suslova ; Printer: ; Process: ; Paper: ; Size: ; Perforation: ; Quatation: 100.000
Official Description:
| Stamps Set | Mini-Sheets | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Other countries, who issued similar stamps
The Republic of Artsakh (Republic of Mountainous Karabakh) - 25.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
| Stamps Set | Mini-Sheets | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Cyprus North - 03.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
| Stamps Set | Mini-Sheets | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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Kosovo - 09.05.2023
Technical Details:Official Description:
On the occasion of marking the Europe Day, the Philately of the Post of Kosovo, from May 9th, 2023 released into postal circulation the new edition of postage stamps titled Europe 2023 – Peace.
The call for peace undoubtedly refers to the many global crises that have caused casualties, destruction, and migration of millions of individuals around the globe as a result of war, persecution, and the violation of the fundamental human rights. Therefore, not by coincidence, Europa – CEPT, as a common theme for the year 2023 has defined the theme of Peace.
Conveying the message of peace this time by Kosovo artists is done through the creation of artistic forms with origami paper folding. The appearance of the dove of peace, seeking freedom from conflict and chaos, as well as support for each other, reflect the key to the world in which we want to live. The issue of postage stamp consists of postage stamps, the philatelic block, and the First Day Cover that will be in postal circulation until they are completely consumed.
Post of Kosovo
| Stamps Set | Souvenir Sheet | First-Day-of-Issue Postmark | First-Day-Cover (FDC) |
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References:
- EUROPA Program:
Members List, Stamp Collections, - EUROPA Day:
Wikipedia, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDPC), - EUROPA 2023 stamps:
europa-stamps.blogspot, Bitter Grounds, Linns,
Acknowledgements:
Many thanks to Dr. Peter Voice, USA for the draft page review and his very valuable comments.