European Year of Citizens’ Rights

 

Date of Issue : 27 September 2013

On the occasion of the European Year of Citizens’ Rights, the theme of education for democratic citizenship has been chosen for the official stamp of the Council of Europe, issued on September 27, 2013.

Based in Strasbourg, the Council of Europe was founded on 5 May 1949. This political organization is to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law.Each year this organization issues stamps to only be used within its precincts.

The year 2013 marks the 20th anniversary of European citizenship. This will be the time to make all EU citizens better understand their rights, enabling them to discuss, meet and finally stimulate active participation in the common political life. The Council of Europe develops strategies to promote democratic citizenship through learning over all life.

New stamps on Wildlife

Endangered Animals on new Gibraltar stamps

Date of Issue : 14 September 2013

Gibraltar Post issued a new third set of Endangered Animals stamps depicting the Asiatic Cheetah, theAfrican Penguin, the Atlantic Bluefun Tuna, the Chinese Alligator, the Red-crowned Crane and the Leatherback Sea Turtle.

Felids on New Luxembourg stamps

The exhibition about big cats “Alles fir d’Kaz” will take place at the end of 2014 at the Natural history museum in Luxembourg. To commemorate the event, Luxembourg Post is issuing a set of three stamps depicting Felids – Wildcat, Sumatran Tiger and Eurasian Lynx.

Felids, or felines, have fewer teeth than other animals (with pointed fangs and sharp molars), powerful jaw muscles and retraceable claws used to inflict wounds. They are highly adept at running and jumping, have excellent night vision and are carnivorous, and hunters at heart.

The wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a species of feline of the Felidae family. Living in different habitats, it roams the regions of Europe, western Asia and Africa. Small to medium in size, its appearance varies depending on the sub-species, but generally its coat is brown with black stripes.

The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrea) is one of the smallest subspecies of tiger and classed as “critically endangered”. The Sumatran tiger’s coat is very dark and its stripes often break into a cluster of spots on its underbelly. Lines with small specks can be found between the stripes on their back, flank and hind legs.

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), also known as the common Lynx, is easily recognizable by its long legs, short tail, distinctive head with pointed ears. The colour of its coat varies from creamy white to dark brown, with black spots on the body, which can be full spots or rosettes. The Eurasian lynx has a particularly dense coat, notably on the back. It can no longer be found in Luxembourg, but hope to reintroduce it in the near future exists.