Europa 2012 stamp from Vatican City…

 

    

Date of Issue : 11 May 2012

"Visit..." is the theme chosen by PostEurop for this year’s European postal stamps issue. The choice of this wide-ranging theme gives members of the postal association full freedom in interpreting it, whether looking at topics such as travel for tourism or culture, among the many possibilities.

The stamps issued by the Philatelic and Numismatic Office of Vatican City State for EUROPA 2012 stamp issue include the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, symbol of Christianity and destination of religious and cultural pilgrimage for millions of people. Another image is the dove in the window above the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica, a masterful work by Bernini symbolizing the Holy Spirit.

The theme of travel is important for its symbolic value, not as a type of visit for discovering and appreciating artistic beauty, but rather as an experience focusing above all on the spiritual dimension. A true journey is not so much that of a pilgrim going to a specific place of worship, but instead part of a an important path of self-awareness and personal reflection on one’s seeking the Lord. The journey of the faithful to the center of Christianity, to St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, is itself an expression of the evangelization of peoples and the fulfillment of the Church’s universal mission.

Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world in terms of inhabitants and size. It occupies an area of 44 hectares. The borders are represented by its walls and the travertine pavement curve that joins the two wings of the colonnades in St Peter’s Square. Beyond the proper territory of the State, Vatican jurisdiction also covers some extraterritorial areas within and outside Rome.

Vatican City State was founded following the signing of the Lateran Pacts between the Holy See and Italy on February 11th 1929. These were ratified on June 7th 1929. Its nature as a sovereign State distinct from the Holy See is universally recognized under international law.

The term Vatican was used in ancient times to identify the marshy area on the right bank of the Tiber River, between the Milvio Bridge and the present Sixtus Bridge. During the monarchy and the republican age, the area was known as Ager Vaticanus. It extended northwards as far as the mouth of the Cremera and southwards at least as far as the Janiculum. In the Imperial age, from the 2nd century A.D., the toponym Vaticanum was applied to an area corresponding roughly to the present Vatican City State.

Club News

It refers to my following  Post of 13 September 2011 about 41st Asiago International Awards, .which gives details about Asiago awards won by postal administrations.

http://rainbowstampclub.blogspot.in/2011/09/asiago-international-awards-for.html

The following beautiful issue from Switzerland  featuring = the Swiss Carnival also received recognition. This information has been sent by one of my readers Harry McCulloch from Wheaton, IL, USA. Thanks Harry for sharing this info.

 

The Swiss Carnival

Philatelic item collecting month celebrated by Gorakhpur Postal Circle

: Ashwani Dubey - Gorakhpur

Result - 2012 Youth Activity Contest by BNAPS

 

Hi !

Here are the results of a Stamp Essay contest, organized by The British North America Philatelic Society. If the winners or their parents are watching this blog, they are requested to send the photos of the kids whose names appear in the award list given below for publication on this blog and Rainbow Stamp News !!

Many Congratulations to all the children who participated in this contest !!

 

 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR BNAPS’ 2012 STAMP ESSAY CONTEST

The British North America Philatelic Society has announced the winners of its 2012 Youth Activity Contest. Youth were asked to write a short essay about a meaningful philatelic symbol of their country with the stamp(s) affixed to the report. Prizes were awarded to four age groups: 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-18.

First place winners in each category received $25. They were:

Nina Goyette, age 8, Greendale, WI – Abigail Adams
Olivia Keenan, age 10, Wauwatosa, WI – Boston Tea Party
Prarthita Jain, age 14, Balod Chattisgarh – Rabindranath Tagore
Archita Nigam, age15, Balod Chattisgarh – Hawa Mahal

Other winners are :

Chitturi Vamsi, Hyderabad, India,

Chinmay Anil Nawlakhe, Bhandara, India,

Claire Natiez, Taylors, SC,

Thomas Devine, Janesville, WI,

David Devine, Janesville, WI,

Sara Yahr, West bend, WI,

Shikhar Deep, Shamshi, Kullu - India.

The contest reflects BNAPS’ on-going commitment to encourage young collectors. The four winning essays can be viewed at Youth Activity Contest on BNAPS website.
Entrants also received a packet of stamps.

Youth were asked to find one or more stamps that are a meaningful symbol of their country. Examples include flags, monuments, and other objects of historical significance. The stamp(s) were to be affixed to the page along with an essay of less than 250 words. The written article should explain why the (flag, monument, historical item) is an important symbol for their country. The essays could be handwritten or typed, double space is preferred. The essay to be the original thoughts of the entrant.

Prizes will be awarded by age group: 6 – 8, 9 – 11, 12 – 14, 15 – 18. Monetary awards of $25, $10, and $5 will be awarded respectively to first, second, and third place winners in each age group. Winners will also receive a philatelic prize. The first 100 entries will receive a free packet of stamps.

Click here for the BNAPS 2012 Contest Winners

Click here for the BNAPS 2011 Contest Winners

Essay Contest entry by Shikhar Deep

Flag – The symbol of my country

Indian Flag, the first stamp of independent India, was released on 21 Nov 1947.

 

Indian Flag on other Indian stamps

   

Indian flag on foreign stamps

India is a diverse country with several religions. Our national flag or the tri-colour represents strength and unity of our country . I am a citizen of India and I am proud of my country . I am so glad that I am born in India. The National flag of India is a horizontal rectangular tricolour of deep saffron, white and green with the Ashok Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre. The flag was designed by Pingali Venkayya, an agriculturist from Andhra Pradesh.

Spiritual symbolism - The flag is colored with saffron as the top band, white band in the centre, dark green band at the bottom and a navy blue Asokha Chakra placed at the centre of the white band , Spinning Ashoka Chakra represents the eternal wheel of law.. The deep saffron colors shows courage and sacrifice. The white color symbolizes for peace, unity and truth. The green color shows the culture and fertility. The Chakra ( wheel) has 24 spokes, representing the 24 hours in a day.

Religious symbolism- When the flag was being designed, Hinduism and Islam were the two major religions. Saffron represented Hinduism and green stood for Islam. White represented the minority religions.

It is a brave soul that carries the tricolor’s fervor on his/her sleeve! It represents our country and its culture !! . It also represents the soul of my country which is “Unity in Diversity” .

Asiago International Awards for Philatelic Art

 

 

On July 17th, the 41st Asiago International Awards were held. UNPA  won the Best Stamp of 2010 award for 2 event sheets about human trafficking and the fight against child labour.

At the ceremony for the forty-first Asiago International Awards for Philatelic Art, held in Italy on 17 July, UNPA received the prize for "best stamps in the world" for 2010. The winning stamp sheets highlighted "Human Trafficking - Blue Heart Campaign (UNODC)"  by UNPA Vienna and "Against Child Labour (ILO and Geneva World)" by UNPA Geneva.

UNPA Vienna issued a special stamp sheet on the theme "human trafficking" on 5 February 2010. The Blue Heart Campaign is an awareness-raising initiative developed by UNODC to fight human trafficking and its impact on society. The campaign aims to inspire decision makers to effect change, as well as to encourage the involvement of all areas of society to help stop this crime. The campaign allows people to show solidarity with the victims of human trafficking by wearing the blue heart as an international symbol against this crime. The blue heart represents the sadness of those who are trafficked while reminding us of the cold-heartedness of those who buy and sell fellow human beings.

On 2 September 2010, UNPA Geneva issued a stamp sheet on the theme "child labour". The drawings featured on the stamps show the grim realities of exploited young people. The selected images are part of "Children's Views of Child Labour", a vast initiative promoted in 2009 by GenevaWorld in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and with the support of local volunteers to mark the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the ILO Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

The prize is given annually under the patronage of the President of Italy. The organizing Italian stamp collectors club, Sette Comuni, is one of the most well-known and respected stamp collectors clubs in Europe.

Awards won by other Postal administrations..

Portugal won the Tourism award for the Public Elevators series.

Hong Kong won the Ecology award for a souvenir sheet about the Development of Old Areas.

Greece won the Olympic Academy award for their Europa 2010 Children's book set.