New stamps on International Year of Light

 

International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015)

Serbia Post issued two stamps to commemorate IIYL 2015 on 26 August 2015.  The UN General Assembly 68th Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015) on 20 December 2013.This new issue is  dedicated to the International Year of Light ‒ a global initiative which highlights to the citizens of the world the importance of light and optical technologies in their lives, for their futures, and for the development of society.

Light plays a central role in human activities. On the most fundamental level through photosynthesis, light is necessary to the existence of life itself, and the many applications of light have revolutionized society through medicine, communications, entertainment and culture.

The International Year of Light is a global initiative which comprises a series of coordinated activities on national, regional and international levels, aiming to inform all citizens of the world about the importance of light and light-based technologies in their daily lives, their future, the development of society and art, and overall social progress.

Light is one of the initiators of the process of photosynthesis, an essential factor for the development of the biosphere and the evolution of the human species. The light plays a central role in human activities starting from the understanding of the world through the sense of vision, artistic expression, modern communications, Internet, to the development of the fundamental concepts that allow us to understand our place in the Universe and record the events in time and space.

Application of light-based technologies gave revolutionary contribution to the development of medical diagnostics and treatment, telecommunications, energy efficient manufacturing, media, art and culture, and thus improve the health and overall quality of life.

Almost all scientific fields are based on the theories of light and its interaction with matter, and light is also the main messenger in the study and our understanding of the Universe and subatomic world. The history of the study of light spans centuries, while the modern science of light was born in the 20th century. Today light and light-based technologies become key disciplines in science and technology of the 21st century.

New stamp on Int. Year of Light

 

Date of Issue : 19 February 2015

Vatican Post will release a special stamp on 19^th of February celebrating “International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies”.

The commemorative stamp issued by Vatican City features a detail of a Sistine Chapel fresco by Michelangelo on the creation of the stars, an eternal symbol that comes from and returns to God the Creator. At the beginning of the Bible we read: “Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day’, and the darkness he called ‘night’. Evening came, and morning followed” .

The United Nations General Assembly 6801 Session proclaimed 2015 as the “International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies”. Light plays a fundamental role in sustaining light on earth through photosynthesis. Studies and ongoing discoveries have shown how the many applications of light through medicine, communications, culture, and entertainment have revolutionized society. The international year will have a broad focus, not only on the scientific dimension, but also on the need to promote greater public knowledge and awareness on the way light-based technologies can sustain human development

Numerous and varied events will take place during the year with activities organized at the regional, national and international levels. Other goals of the initiative include improving the quality of lite, promoting science careers for women, and education for young people. The Holy See takes an active role in contributing to the international scientific community dedicated to the study of natural phenomena and their effects and influence on society. The Vatican’s historic telescopes at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, and its ultra-modem telescope in Tucson, Arizona, are a living testimony to this longstanding and ongoing commitment to scientific research.

New Love stamp from USPS

Love was certainly in the air at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond for the dedication of the Forever Hearts Forever® stamps on January 22nd.

Combining artistic vision with a timeless symbol of affection, the newest stamps in the long-running and ever popular Love  series feature lacy lettering in the shape of a heart. Artist Jessica Hische created the lettering, first drawing her design by hand and then finishing the stamp art digitally.

“Today, the heart is everywhere,” said U.S. Postal Service Capital Metro Area Vice President Kristin Seaver in dedicating the stamps.

It can be found in religious art, pop culture, greeting cards and so much more, but the meaning remains the same—love—the universal language of the heart. Our Forever Hearts stamps remind people of the power of everlasting love. In that spirit, we hope the stamp will help you send all of your cards and letters to those you care about with a special touch of love and cheer.
Moreover, there is nothing like the feeling of receiving a love letter in the mail or a valentine from that special someone. But remember, these stamps can be used year-round because love never goes out of season or style.