GREECE 2013 - NATIONAL HISTORICAL EVENTS 1913 PART A' - THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF IOANNINA

 

The war waged by the Balkanallies against the Ottoman Empire ended with many issues unresolved. In early 1913, operations on the Epirus front had ground to a halt, and the Hellenic Army was endeavouring to liberate Ioannina.

 In mid-January 1913, the Hellenic forces in Epirus were encountering difficult conditions. The Commander-in-Chief, Crown Prince Constantine, who assumed command  of the Army of Epirus in the middle of the same month, took a series of measures that aimed to improve the men's living conditions and nutrition, thus raising their morale and increasing their fighting ability, which had been considerably reduced. He also improved the flow of supplies to units at the front by utilising all available means of transport behind the lines, and put into operation a new plan for the capture of Ioannina. February 19th marked the beginning of the end, with a whole day of artillery fire. After many months of struggle, the much-anticipated liberation would be achieved by force and not by negotiation. On 21 February 1913, the Hellenic Army entered Ioannina.

AGION OROS ATHOS 2013 - MINIATURES - DECORATIONS of ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS A'

 

0,40 €  H.M. OF CHILANDARI : Tetra - evangelium (17th cent.)

0,50 €  H.M. OF IVERON : Tale of Varlaam and Joasaph (13th cent.)

0,62 €  H.M. OF MEGISTE LAVRA : Sticherarion (17th cent.)

0,78 €  H.M. OF VATOPAIDI : Octateuch (13th cent.)

0,85 €  H.M. OF DIONYSIOY : Psalter (14th cent.)

2,00 €  PROTATON : Tetra - evangelium (10th cent.)

MAURITIUS 2013 - Sites & Monuments

GREECE 2006 FDC: PATRA - EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE

GREECE 2006 FDC: GREEK MUSEUMS

GREECE 2006 - EUROPA

GREECE 2006: 100 years since the Interim Olympic Games 1906-2006

FDC: 2006 GREECE 1986-2006

FDC: GREECE 2006 - GREEK ISLANDS

FDC: ALAND 2004- Natural environments in Åland

The beautiful  scenery depicted on the first stamp of the new series is a flowery meadow, which can be found in the nature reserve called Prästgårdsnäset in Finström in central Åland. The dominating flower on the photo, which was taken in the spring and shows a colourful floral splendour, is a fumewort, also known as a bird-in-a-bush (Corydalis cava).

 

FLOWERS AND BIRCH LEAVES

The design on the first day cover is the fragile wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa), which also adorns the stamp sheet. For the collector's sheet we have chosen a photo of birch leaves (Betula verrucosa). Andy Horner took the photos used for the stamp, collector's sheet and FDC. The first day cancellation depicts the flower yellow star-of-Bethlehem (Gagea lutea) and has deen designed by Cecilia Mattsson of the Post's marketing department. The denomination of the stamp is 1st class or the equivalent of the postage for a 50-gram 1st class letter within Åland (at present €0.60).

The second stamp depicts the beach of the solitary islet of Storklyndan in Brändö, situated eight nautical miles north of the island Jurmo. The islet measures around 100 hectares and is today uninhabited and privately owned. Storklyndan is the northern-most point of Åland and a popular recreational area. The vegetation on this islet of wind-swept rocks consists mainly of shrubs and bushes; however, you can also find an abundance of cloudberries.

BEAUTIFUL ROCKS

Erkki Santamala took the photos used for the stamp, collector's sheet and first day cover. The FDC is adorned by a tree-trunk on the beach whereas the motif on the collector's sheet is that of rocks on the beach, artistically formed by the sea. All motifs were found on Storklyndan. The first day cancellation shows a cairn and it has also been designed by ceccila Mattsson. The value of the stamp is 2nd class or the equivalent of the postage for a 50-gram 2nd class letter within Åland (at present €0.50).

FDC: ALAND 2004 - 2004 ATHENS OLYMPIC GAMES

 

 Historical sources date the Olympic Games back to the year 776 BC. The Olympics were held for more than 400 years until the Emperor decided they were heathen and banned them. In 1896, the Olympic Games were re-introduced in Athens. These Games are thought to be the first modern Olympic Games and they clearly became a success. Today, the organisation of the quadrennial Olympic Games circulates between the continents.

THIRD ALAND OLYMPIC CONTESTANT

The European gold medallist Janne Holmén, who was honoured with a stamp issue in 2002, will be the third Ålander ever to take part in the Olympic Games. The runner Frej Liewendahl was the first Ålander to compete in the Olympic Games held in Paris 1924. Frej finished on seventh place in the 1,500-meter race. The second Åland Olympic competitor was the boxer Karl-Johan Hellström, who participated in the 1928 Olympic Games in Amsterdam under his stage name Johnny. Johnny won his first match on points, but he had to see himself defeated in his second match and was out of the game.

FINISH AT CLASSIC ARENA

The Åland stamp depicts the Panathenaic Stadium, which was also the scene of the modern Olympic Games in 1896. The stadium had 48 rows of seats and room for some 45,000 spectators. Janne Holmén and his fellow contestants in the marathon are going to cross the finish line on the Panathenaic Stadium on the last day of the  Olympics, 29 August 2004.

FDC: ALAND 2004 - NORDISK MYTOLOGI - FENJA & MENJA

FDC: ALAND 2004 - LINGONBERRIES

 

The lingonberry plant (Vaccinium vitisidaea)  is the most prevailing type of shrub in dry pinewoods and Finland's most important type of export berry. This type of shrub is common in all of the Nordic countries and can be found in all of Europe except from the most southern countries. The plants grow up to 30 centimetres tall and have evergreen leathery foliage. They flower during spring and develop clusters of red berries in August and September. Of all our wild types of berries, lingonberries ripen last.

OLD TRADITIONS

Berries have been picked and used for centuries. Remnants and traces reveal the domestic use of lingonberries as early as during the Bronze Age. In a good year, an estimated 500 million kilos of lingonberries ripen in the woods of Finland, however, only 25-27 million kilos are picked. As much as 10 million kilos are sold commercially, depending on the yearly supply.

A HOUSEHOLD FAVOURITE

Fresh lingonberries are rather sour and are in general not eaten au naturel. usually, the raw berries are stirred with sugar for preservation or used to make fruit-syrup, deserts, pastry or tarts. Lingonberry jam and fruit-syrup can be found in most Nordic households. Furthermore, this type of berry freezes well. In former days, lingonberries were sold by the pharmacies as an antipyretic and as a medicine against inflammation of the bladder among other complaints. The leaves of the lingonberry shrub are even used for making tea in some places.

FDC: ALAND 2004 - EUROPA ( HOLIDAY)

 

The theme of 2004'sEuropa stamp was "holiday".

The unique Aland archipelago is as made to be discovered on your own by boat. The province of Aland consists of more than 6,500 islands and skerries, of which, however, only 65 islands are inhabited. A total of 14 guest harbours and even more service harbours can be found in the various municipalities. The MSF with its 340 berths, situated in the Eastern Harbour of Mariehamn, is the largest marina of the Nordic countries.

DISCOVER THE ARCHIPELAGO

Boating tourism is quite common in the Aland archipelago. A tour around Aland is approximately 100 nautical miles, and you will be welcomed no matter your origin, local or foreign. Countries natural harbours, which provide tranquillity on nature's own terms, can be found anywhere in Aland.

FDC: ALAND 2004 - The Fortress of Bomarsund

 

The ruin of the fortress Bomarsund is one of the greatest tourist attractions in Aland. The dramatic event of the battle of 1854, life after the fall of the fortress and the demilitarization of Aland after the peace 1856 are subjects which are in focus for this interesting FDC.

BUILDING THE FORTRESS

At the beginning of the 19th century, Aland was the last military outpost of the Russian empire towards west. Constructions started in 1832 when the thought of establishing a permanent military base on the islands prevailed. The heart of the fortress was a central barracks, the diameter of which was 290 metres. It could be mounted with 115 cannons and was intended to house up to 2,500 men.

THE BACKGROUND FOR THE ALAND DEMILITARIZATION

In connection with the Crimean War, great Britain and France sent an armed fleet to threaten the Russiancentre of power round St. Petersburg. Bomarsund was one of the targets, and during a combined British-French attack 13-16 August 1854, the only half-completed fortress was completely destroyed and left as a ruin. At the peace talks in Paris 1856, a so-called Aland Treaty was signed on 30 March and aland was demilitarized. This treaty still applies, and the date 30 March is now celebrated as an official flag-flying day in Aland.

FDC - GREECE: VIII INTERNATIONAL PANIONIAN CONFERENCE