Sunday, February 28, 2010

FDC from North Korea/FDC de la Corée du Nord

Folk games/jeux de gens


The stamp were issued to show the tug-of-war and knee-to-knee fighting, some of the Korean folk game.
3 won stamp: Tug-of-war
120 won stamp: Knee-to-knee fighting

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

FDC from Algeria/FDC de L'Algerie

Presidential Elections/Elections Présidentielles



The Algeria brings, once again, proof positive of the establishment of a democratic era of prosperity and peace found. After the consolidation of the institutional building and rehabilitation of the role of elected bodies in the national development process, here come another step that marks out this presidential election symbol at once continuity and sustainability of the state and Republic and respect the principle of alternation in power through the expression of popular will.

This election is also the result of learning from those that preceded it, which could establish the credibility necessary guarantees consistency and transparency, and freedom of expression and participation of all persuasions represented in the society. This has allowed, yet this time, applications in number and quality that reflect a greater adherence to partisan conditions of preparation and conduct of this election.

The campaign lasted 19 days, during which six candidates have been able to present their programs and highlighted their respective differences in approach, leaving it and the popular will expressed through the ballot box alone, the track and the voice of the majority decides, irrevocably and sovereign, who will, for five successive years, the President of the nation from 1 November 1954.

L'Algérie apporte, encore une fois, la preuve irréfutable de l'instauration d'une ère démocratique de prospérité et de paix retrouvées. Après la consolidation de l'édifice institutionnel et la réhabilitation du rôle des instances élues dans le processus de développement national, voici venue une nouvelle étape que jalonne cette élection présidentielle symbole tout à la fois d'une continuité et pérennité de l'Etat et de la République ainsi que du respect du principe d'alternance au pouvoir à travers l'expression de la volonté populaire.

Cette élection est également le fruit des acquis de celles qui l'ont précédée, qui ont pu asseoir une crédibilité nécessaire, les garanties de régularité et de transparence, et la liberté d'expression et de participation de toutes les sensibilités représentées au sein de la société. C'est ce qui a permis, cette fois ci encore, des candidatures en nombre et en qualité qui traduisent une grande adhésion partisane aux conditions de préparation et de déroulement de cette élection.

La campagne électorale a duré 19 jours, durant lesquels les six candidats en lice ont pu exposer leurs programmes et mis en évidence leurs différences d'approches respectives, laissant le soin et la volonté populaire de s'exprimer par la seule voie des urnes, la voie et la voix de la majorité qui décide, de manière irrévocable et souveraine, qui sera, pour cinq années successives, le Président de la nation du 1er novembre 1954.

Monday, February 22, 2010

FDC from Slovakia/FDC de la Slovaquie

Sports - Martial Arts/Sports - Arts martiaux


Martial art represents an extensive system of techniques which determine its character - depending on style, school, tradition, and other specific elements. Judo, iaido, kendo, aikido and other martial arts today comprise at least two different forms. This also applies to karate, which is the graphic motif for the stamp as well as the entire Martial Arts issue. Contemporary karate, mostly a sport today, developed from the traditional Okinawean tode. We ought to bear in mind however that this traditional way of fighting also has its historical predecessors: the Greek “pancration”, the Indian “vajramushti”, and the Chinese “chuan fa” all have something in common with the Okinawian tode. Historical and political circumstances, the occupation of the Rjukju islands in 1609, and the subsequent ban on bearing/owning weapons in 1629 led to the uniting of chuan fa and tode into a single fighting system called “te” – i.e. hands. “Te” was trained in absolute secrecy at that time and its sole purpose was to kill an opponent with a single blow. Three hundred years later, when Okinawa became a prefecture of Japan and karate became accessible to the public - the sports form of karate developed. The merger of the three cultural elements of the Chinese kara, and the Okinawean and Japanese jitsu - formed karate-jitsu, meaning the art of the Chinese hand. The apprentices of the Okinawean masters Azato and Higaonni later opened their own schools. G. Funakoshi developed the Shotokan style. Mabuni changed the Shito-style and Ghogjun Hijagi named his karate-jitsu Godju. The founder of modern karate, Gichin Funakoshi (1867-1955), changed the Chinese sign kara (meaning China) to another Chinese kara-sign (with the same pronunciation), but this time with the meaning “empty”, suggesting the Zen-meaning “become empty”, i.e. being in the condition of highest readiness, with the will free of selfishness and decadence in our striving for an appropriate reaction to everything we may encounter in life. In 1934 G. Funakoshi officially changed the name karate into karate-do, adding the dimension of systemic techniques and mental attitudes leading to man’s improvement and quality enhancement on his path to all-round development. By adding the word “do” and the formation of karate-do, this martial art became closer to budo-arts such as “kendo” – the way of the sword, “kjudo” – the way of the bow, and “judo” – the fine-way. “Do” means ‘the way’ – i.e. the way of life we all should lead to become aware of our inner-most essence, i.e. karate-do. This means that also other budo-arts are principally ways of becoming a true human being.

FDC from Brazil/FDC du Brésil

Series Diplomatic Relations- Thailand: bromeliads of the Atlantic Forest, Orchid and Architecture/
Série Relations Diplomatiques- La Thaïlande: Broméliacées des la Forêt de L'Atlantique, l'Orchidée et l'Architecture


In this issue, Series Diplomatic Relations, the Post focus on architecture and the environment, with the Thai orchid and bromeliads of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, as well as individual buildings in these countries, recording the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, their peculiarities and importance in environmental and architectural contexts.

Orchid Rabo-de-Fox-White

In Thailand, this orchid is found in most of the territory from the eastern province of Prachinburi, thence north and passing through the provinces Nakornsawan, Loei and Chiengmai. Its name originated because of their long, thin, dense and compact bright white sheets, which amounts to about 40cm, resembling a fox tail.

Hall of the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne

The Throne Room Dusit Maha Prasat is the main building among the various buildings of the famous Grand Palace in Bangkok, built in 1789 by King Rama I, first king of the Chakri Dynasty (current dynasty). It was built in the shape of a cross with four wings covered with four tabs from the center. Its architecture is famous for being the most elegant building of the Rattanakosin Period (1782-1932).

In the past, the building was used for coronations, hearings and reviews of Buddhist scriptures.Today it is used for funeral rites before the cremation of kings, queens and members of the royal family. Has served for this purpose since the death of King Rama I. In it are carried out special events such as the annual celebration of the Coronation Day, held on May 5.

Cathedral of San Pedro de Alcântara - Petrópolis / RJ

Situated in Petrópolis, in the highland city of Rio de Janeiro, had its origin in the parish seat installed in temple adjacent to the Imperial Palace, built between 1847 and 1848 on land reserved by Major Júlio Frederico Koeler, and worked there for over 77 years . Since the inauguration of the first array, it has been thought of building another on the hill of Belvedere. Pedro II and his daughter, Princess Isabel, led the initiative. On 12 March 1876, launched the first foundation stone for the construction of the matrix cathedral, whose works were started under the responsibility of the engineer Francisco Caminhoá.

In 1884, he was released, then the second cornerstone. At the suggestion of the Princess Isabel the facade of the array is returned to the Avenida Koeler, which holds to this day, the beauty and harmony of the whole neo-Gothic architectural style. The work, paralyzed in 1901, resumed in 1914, and November 29, 1925, the new headquarters was inaugurated, although still unfinished.

In 1929, Father Francisco Garcia Costa began a campaign for the completion of the facade, the imperial chapel and baptismal and four floors of the tower. The works were completed on December 5, 1939, when he opened the tomb of the emperors. Were closed in 1969 to lift the tower and the placement of the bells, the Diocesan Bishop D. Manuel Pedro da Cunha Cintra. The cell-tower houses five bronze bells, and the largest, the "San Pedro de Alcantara", weighs four tons.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

FDC from Algeria/FDC de L'Algerie

Objects of the national museums of Algeria/
Objets des musées nationaux d'Algérie



There are many collections of traditional objects and works; year of jealously preserved by our national museums across the entire country. They testify to the undeniable character of the social, cultural and human. Valuable objects tell the story millennium and the ancestral knowledge. From these multiple objects are:

The wooden shoes "Kabkab" Constantine, is a pair of shoe clog that was manufactured in the same piece of wood covered with thin sheets of silver.
Originally from the city of Constantine, it was made in the early 20th century to be worn by a married rich region at its left the hammam ritual. This shoe probably derives its name from the rhythm that it makes translating the graceful and thereby the bearing.
This pair is kept at the National Museum of Bardo Algiers.

The fragment of silver brooch: the fragment of a brooch was being published that focuses on clothing and consists of deus: distinct parts, which are the stem and clasp. The trunk is shaped like a small pitcher whose lower part is cylindrical, the center is rather domed. The upper part is cylindrical but narrower; on both sides of it two small rings are welded to the top of the trunk, which is fixed the rest of a clasp, that is constituted by a ring welded to a rod that breaks into two rings of the trunk and ending with a ball retaining clasp.
This pin is kept at National Archaeological Museum of Setif.

The vest Algiers 19th century: it is a vest of garnet-colored velvet dune height of 29 cm and a width of 76 cm. It is the model type of costume Algiers 19th century. This vest has 10 buttons arranged on either side of the chest with a closed low. The decorative motifs of this vest are composed mainly of leaves and stylized flowers and stems intertwined. An ornament shaped braid is worn at the shoulder. The technique used for the design of this jacket is the "Medjboud, embroidered with gold thread.
It is kept at the National Museum of Ahmed Zaban the city of Oran.

Nombreuses sont les collections d'objets traditionnels et d'œuvres; d'an jalousement conservés par nos musées nationaux à travers l’ensemble du pays. Ils témoignent du caractère indéniable de l'évolution sociale, culturelle et humaine. De précieux objets relatent l'histoire millénaire et le savoir faire ancestral. De ces multiples objets on peut citer :

Les chaussures de bois « Kabkab » de Constantine; C'est une paire de chaussure en socque qui a été fabriquée dans une même pièce de bois couverte de fines feuilles d'argent.

Originaire de la ville de Constantine, elle fut faite au début du 20ème siècle afin d'être portée par une riche mariée de la région, lors de sa sortit du rituel du hammam. Cette chaussure tire probablement son nom du rythme de pas qu'elle émet traduisant la démarche gracieuse et par là, la prestance.

Cette paire est conservée au musée national du Bardo d'Alger.

Le fragment de broche en argent: ce fragment de broche était un objet de parue qui se porte sur les vêtements et se compose de deus: parties distinctes, qui sont le tronc et le fermoir. Le tronc est en forme de petite cruche dont la partie inférieure est cylindrique, celle du centre est plutôt bombée. La partie supérieure est aussi de forme cylindrique mais moins large ; sur les deux cotés de celle-ci deux petits anneaux sont soudés au sommet du tronc, auxquels est fixe le reste d'un fermoir; celui ci est constitué d’un anneau soudé à une tige qui s'introduit dans les deux anneaux du tronc et qui se termine par une petite boule retenant le fermoir.

Cette broche est conservée a. Musée National d’Archéologique de Sétif.

Nombreuses sont les collections d'objets traditionnels et d'œuvres; d'an jalousement conservés par nos musées nationaux à travers l’ensemble du pays. Ils témoignent du caractère indéniable de l'évolution sociale, culturelle et humaine. De précieux objets relatent l'histoire millénaire et le savoir faire ancestral. De ces multiples objets on peut citer :

Le gilet algérois du 19ème siècle: c'est un gilet en velours de couleur grenat dune hauteur de 29 cm et d'une largeur de 76 cm. Il est le modèle type du costume algérois du 19ème siècle. Ce gilet comporte 10 boutons disposés de part et d'autre du buste avec une fermeture basse. Les motifs décoratifs de ce gilet sont composés essentiellement de feuilles et de fleurs stylisées et de tiges entrelacées. Un ornement en forme de tresse est porté au niveau des épaulettes. La technique utilisée pour la conception de ce gilet est celle du « Medjboud », une broderie avec du fil d'or.

Il est conservé au Musée National Ahmed ZABANA de la ville d'Oran.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

FDC from Poland/FDC de la Pologne

Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek/Tytus, Romek et A'Tomek




Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek

It is hard to believe that the comic book about Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek is already 52 years old, and its creator has turned 86 this year. Henryk Jerzy Chmielewski, known as Papcio Chmiel (Papa Chmiel), was born in 1923. He participated in the Warsaw Uprising. In his youth, he served in the Polish Army where he started out on his artistic career as a supervisor of a bulletin. Since 1947 Henryk Chmielewski published cartoons in "Świat Przygód", and then, for many years in "Świat Młodych" magazine. In the recent past Papcio Chmiel published an autobiography whose second volume "Tytus zlustrowany" (Tytus screened) is, as the author himself puts it, "the reminiscences of a wacky gaffer and grey-moustached artist". According to what the author said, past May he created the last episode of the cartoon story entitled: "Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek jako warszawscy powstańcy 1944, z wyobraźni Papcia Chmiela narysowani" (Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek as Warsaw insurgents, drawn from Papa Chmiel's imagination). Papcio Chmiel was invited to decorate the wall of the Warsaw Uprising Museum with a mural. Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek that appeared on the wall were presented as scouts of a field post office.
Henryk Chmielewski is the Knight of the Order of Smile. In 2007 he was honoured with the Glora Artis Medal.

Half a century of Tytus

Tytus de Zoo is an anthropoid ape that is accompanied by tall and thin Romek and short and thickset A'Tomek. Their adventures have entertained and educated several generations of children and youth. The first episode of Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek takes place in cosmos. Next episodes (still black and white) appeared in "Świat Młodych". Since the mid 60's new, book version volumes of adventures of Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek began turning up in bookstores. In total, there were 31 books, such as, among others, "Tytus zostaje harcerzem" ("Tytus becomes a scout") (1966), "Tytus kosmonautą" (Tytus the spaceman) (1968), "Tytus na dzikim zachodzie" (Tytus in the Wild West) (1974), " Wyprawa na Wyspy Nonsensu" ("The expedition to the Nonsense Island") (1977), "Tytus tajnym agentem" ("Tytus the secret agent") (1997), "Tytus się żeni" ("Tytus is getting married") (2000), "Tytus graficiarzem" ("Tytus the graffiti writer") (2002), "Tytus kibicem" ("Tytus the fan") (2008).
New stamp and First Day Cover
Three stamps with the characters from Papcio Chmiel's comic book present them in the form of photographs from police files, which show exact height of a photographed person. As a result, we now know exactly how tall Tytus, Romek and A'Tomek are. At the bottom of each stamp, there is an author's signature. The issue is accompanied by an occasional date stamp taking form of speech bubbles in use in Warsaw 1 Post Office.

Philately

Poczta Polska has been issuing stamps devoted to children's literature and its popular characters for many years. In 1962 it issued a six stamp set with J. M. Szancer's illustration relating to Maria Konopnicka's tale "O krasnoludkach i sierotce Marysi" ("Little Orphan Mary and the Gnomes"). In 1968 there was an issue of set of stamps with the most popular characters from tales, and in 1987 and 2005 Poczta Polska brought out two sets regarding Andersen's fairy tales. In 1993 it issued stamps presented characters appearing in Kornel Makuszyński's stories: Koziołek Matołek (Matołek the Billy-Goat) and Małpka Fiki-Miki (Fiki-Miki Monkey), and in 1996 a set entitled "Brzechwa Dzieciom" ("Brzechwa for children").

Friday, February 12, 2010

cover from Greenland/enveloppe du Groenland

A cover from Greenland by CCCC.

FDC from Japan/FDC du Japon

The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law- Nara Prefecture/
Le 60ème Anniversaire de Mise en vigueur de la Loi d'Autonomie Locale - la Préfecture de nara



Located almost at the center of the Japanese archipelago, Nara Prefecture is an inland prefecture surrounded by the four prefectures of Osaka to the west, Kyoto to the north, Wakayama to the south and Mie to the east.

Nara has a total population of 1.4 million people and diverse geographical scenery with the Yamato Plane to the north and the Kii Mountain Range to the south.

Approximately 60% of the prefecture's area is covered by forest.
Nara’s main industries are textiles, timber and lumber, plastic molding, pharmaceuticals, fur and leather. Nara occupies an important position in history as it was the location of Japan’s first state.

This long history means that Nara is also the home of several World Heritage sites, such as Todaiji Temple and Horyuji Temple. The Prefecture also has numerous Buddhist works of art and architecture that have been classified as National Treasures or Important Cultural Assets. The ancient capital, Nara Heijo-kyo was established in 710 A.D. It was an international city modeled on the capital of Tang Dynasty China, Changan.

Nara Heijo-kyo is now a World Heritage site and will soon celebrate the 1300th anniversary of its founding. Nara has been promoting local development with the key words of “history”, “culture” and “friendship exchange”, anticipating the next 100 years or even 1,000 years to come.

La Préfecture de Nara est une région située au milieu de la Péninsule Kii, à peu près au centre du Japon. Elle était appelée région Yamato. Au nord s'étend la cuvette Yamato qui jouit d'un climat continental. La température moyenne annuelle s'élève à 15 degrés centigrades et les précipitations annuelles moyennes sont entre 1200 et 1300 millimètres. Au sud se trouve une zone montagneuse comprenant le Plateau Odaigahara dont les précipitations annuelles atteignent jusqu'à environ 5000 mm. Le climat de cette région s' apparente à un climat de montagne avec une température moyennes annuelle de 10 degrés et des précipitations annuelles moyennant entre 2500 et 3000 mm.
C'est lors de la Période Yayoi (2ème siècle avant J.C. Å` 3ème siècle après J.C.) que la cuvette Yamato fut exploitée sur une grande échelle. Au 6ème siècle, un état central appelé la Cour de Yamato fut établi dans la région d'Asuka, dans la partie sud de la cuvette Yamato.
Des techniques et institutions hautement sophistiquées provenant de Chine et de Corée commencèrent à affluer au Japon dès la Période Yayoi, et le Bouddhisme fut introduit au milieu du 6ème siècle. Durant la Période Asuka (milieu du 5ème siècle Å` 645), le Prince Shotoku, régent sous le règne de sa tante Suiko, encouragea le Bouddhisme qui se répandit dans tout le pays. Après la Réforme Taika de 645, les droits de propriété et juridiction appartenant à la noblesse terrienne furent transférés à l'Empereur et au gouvernement central, et un gouvernement centralisé naquit de la rébellion Jinshin (672). Ce gouvernement demandant une capitale centrale, la première capitale Fujiwara-kyo fut construite en 694. En 710, une nouvelle capitale possédant un ensemble complet de palais, bâtiments gouvernementaux, villas pour les hauts fonctionnaires et temples, fut conçue dans la zone nord de la cuvette Yamato et reçut le nom de Heijo-kyo. La civilisation japonaise alors profondément influencée par la culture chinoise s'y épanouit. Après le transfert de la capitale à Heian-kyo, actuellement Kyoto, les temples tels que le Todaiji et le Kofukuji subsistèrent et devinrent les maîtres virtuels de Nara. L'autorité du pouvoir du gouvernement central déclinant peu à peu, les familles puissantes locales se rapprochèrent afin de protéger leurs propres intérêts et se transformèrent en guerriers. Les grands prêtres bouddhistes également créèrent des armées formées par les prêtres et hommes de leurs territoires. Ces guerriers acquirent du pouvoir et devinrent une puissance politique à partir du 11ème siècle. Le Bouddhisme de Nara fit l'objet d'une réforme vers le 13ème et 14ème siècle. En 1585, lors de sa grande tentative d'unification de tout le pays sous son pouvoir, Hideyoshi Toyotomi attribua l'état féodal dépendant du Château Yamato-Koriyama à son frère Hidenaga Toyotomi, Durant la Période Edo (1603 Å` 1867), Yamato fut divisé en dix domaines féodaux parmi lesquels Nara était sous le contrôle direct du Bakufu, le quartier général du Shogounat Tokugawa tandis que les autres domaines tels que Koriyama et Takatori étaient gouvernés par des seigneurs féodaux. Après la Restauration Meiji en 1868, Yamato devint la Préfecture de Nara, administrée par des fonctionnaires désignés par le gouvernement central. Après une annexion temporaire à Sakai puis Osaka, la préfecture de Nara actuelle devint indépendante en 1887.
La Préfecture de Nara s'est donnée pour objectif d'effectuer un bond audacieux vers le 21ème siècle tout en protégeant son environnement naturel et les trésors culturels reçus de ses ancêtres.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

FDC from North Korea/FDC de la Corée du Nord

50th Anniversary of Founding of the Central Botanical Garden/
Le 50ème Anniversaire de Fondation du Jardin botanique Central





Four stamp were issued to mark the 50th anniversary of founding of the Central Botanical Garden.
Today the Central Botanical Garden performs well its mission as a disseminating base of the botanical knoledge and scientific, cultural and educational institution.
It is situated at the foot of Mt. Taesong in Pyongyang.
3 won: Catalpa ovata (Yellow Catalpa)
50 won: Betula Platyphylla(Japanese White Birch)
120won: Juglans cordiformis(Japanese Walnut)
160wom: Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood)

Saturday, February 6, 2010

FDC from Taiwan/FDC du Taiwan

Modern Taiwanese Paintings/
Peintures taïwanais Modernes





To introduce the achievements of Taiwanese painters to the general public, Chunghwa Post has issued a series of stamps featuring modern Taiwanese paintings. Earlier sets were released on December 6, 2002, November 20, 2003, and March 25, 2004. Following these sets, Chunghwa Post will release another two stamps from the collection of the Taipei Fine Arts Museum, featuring Taiwanese painter Lin Yu-shan’s On the Way Home and Two Heads of Cattle.

Lin Yu-shan (1907-2004), who was originally named Lin Ying-kuei. In 1927, Lin became famous overnight when his work Water Buffalo was selected for the first Taiten (Taiwan Art Exhibition). Apart from his depictions of animals such as birds, tigers and cattle, Lin was best known for his landscapes, which he created with a supple use of brushstrokes. On the Way Home and Two Heads of Cattle are two of his most important works. The designs of the stamps follow:

1. On the Way Home (NT$5.00): A peasant woman walks slowly home with a water buffalo that is carrying a bundle of sugar cane on its back in twilight time. The natural and vivid composition is earnest and moving.

2. Two Heads of Cattle (NT$25.00): The painting portrays two vigorous oxen beside some cactus plants. The composition is bold, simple and powerful.

In celebration of the Philately Day on August 9 and to add interest in philately, the stamps will be printed as a gutter pair. The gutter will bear the Chinese characters for “2009 Philately Day” and a design of a collector pouring over stamps with a magnifier.

NOTE: There is Typhoon hit Taiwan at issue day of this stamp, post office seal stamp "Due to typhoon, processing at next business day" on official FDC.
This FDC send from Taipei, TAIWAN to Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh(NKR), via Yerevan, ARMENIA at 20.08.09-12 (postmark:bureau d'echange erevan, ARMENIA (office of exchange, Yerevan, ARMENIA). It arrived Stepanakert at 26.08.2009.

Friday, February 5, 2010

FDC from Russia/FDC de la russie

Europa 2009-Astronomy/
Europa 2009-Astronomie


Tuesday, February 2, 2010

FDC from North Korea/FDC de la Corée du Nord

The children's Union Camp/
Le Camp d'Union des enfants




The children's Union Camp is a type of extracurricular education which helps the children train their body and mind, strengthen their cultural and emontional life and fully absorb the knowledge learnt at the school.
3 won: Mountaineering
80 won: Collecting Plants
120 won: Cooking Rice
170 won: Maritime Activity