FDC, cover and Philatelic／enveloppe et philatélie

New Issue: Valentine’s Day Postage Stamps (Issue of 2012)／Les nouveautés: Saint-Valentin timbres (édition de 2012)

2012-01-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

Valentine’s Day on February 14 is a much-celebrated holiday among young people. To encourage people to express their love through letters, Chunghwa Post is issuing another set of two stamps and a souvenir sheet (Issue of 2012) with roses as motifs. The designs follow:
1. NT$12 stamp: A pink rose symbolizes first love and courting, as well as friendliness and a graceful upbringing. This stamp features a pink rose in full bloom to convey unrestrained passion.
2. NT$25 stamp: An orange rose bud reveals the reticence of first love. The vignette of this stamp brings warmth and joy to one’s heart.
3. Souvenir sheet: Within the heart-shaped stamp are two pale orange roses which signify mutual love and affection. The pink background along with the wordings “Happy Valentine’s Day” offers blessings to all of the world’s lovers.
The two stamps are designed as a se-tenant gutter pair. Embossing and spot varnish techniques are employed in printing. The gutter, featuring two hearts shot through with Cupid’s arrow, symbolizes mutual love. A six-color tag with another two additional marks indicating embossing and varnishing effects are printed on marginal inscription. The souvenir sheet is printed in scented ink—a first for Chunghwa Post.

X'mas card from Brazil and Singapore／Carte de Noël du Brésil et du Singapour

2012-01-10T07:45:00.000-08:00

FDC from Taiwan／FDC de Taïwan

2011-11-18T20:15:00.000-08:00

Railway Branch Lines Postage Stamps／

Direction des chemins de fer Lignes timbres

Railway branch lines in Taiwan were originally built to serve specific industries, although they later also began to provide regular and economical passenger services for residents along the lines. After a century or so of operation, the branch lines went into decline due to economic transformation, the rise of highway transport, and the rapid development of cities. But in recent years, as people have demonstrated a greater demand for recreational opportunities, some of these branch lines reopened as heritage railways. Furthermore, in order to provide access to high-speed-rail stations, new branch lines have also been built.

In order to raise understanding about these railway branch lines, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of five stamps, printed in the format of a vertical se-tenant strip, on November 12, 2011. The designs follow:

1. Shalun Branch Line (NT$5): This 6.52-kilometer branch line in Tainan runs between Zhongzhou Station and Shalun Station, where there is access to Taiwan High Speed Rail’s Tainan station. Aimed at better meeting the Tainan metropolitan area’s transportation needs by linking the high-speed rail line with traditional rail and the planned mass transit system, the building of the branch line required reconstructing the Zhongzhou Station and building two new elevated stations: the aforementioned Shalun Station and the Chang Jung Christian University Station. The line was completed and opened to traffic on January 2, 2011.

2. Jiji Branch Line (NT$5): This 29.7-kilometer branch line runs between Changhua’s Ershui Station and Nantou’s Checheng Station. Originally built for transporting building materials, the line would later carry regular passenger trains and freight trains. Today, it has been transformed into a tourist line. This branch line offers great scenic vistas. Its “green tunnels” is a tourist-worthy attraction. In April of 2010, the section between Longquan and Checheng was closed for tunnel renovations. On July 9, 2011, the project was completed, and the line was once again fully opened.

3. The Neiwan Branch Line (NT$12): This 29.9-kilometer branch line runs between Hsinchu Station and Neiwan Station. Originally built for the agriculture, logging, and mining industries, the line gradually shifted its focus to passenger service. There’s a plethora of natural beauty, cultural assets, and ecological resources along the way. In accordance with a plan to improve this line as well as the Liujia Branch Line, beginning in March of 2007, a section on the line between the Hsinchu and Zhudong stations was closed. It is scheduled to reopen on November 12, 2011.

4. Liujia Branch Line (NT$12): This 11.28-kilometer branch line runs between Hsinchu Station and Liujia Station. To meet the transportation needs in the area between Hsinchu and THSR’s Hsinchu Station in Liujia, the Taiwan Railways Administration has undertaken a project to connect its TRA system to the THSR. This project involves elevating the section between the Bei Hsinchu Station and Zhuzhong Station, a section to connect the Zhuzhong Station to the Liujia Station, and building five new stations. The line is expected to open on November 12, 2011.

5. Pingxi Branch Line (NT$15): This 12.9-kilometer branch line runs between Sandiaoling and Jingtong of New Taipei City. Originally a railroad built exclusively to ship coal, it was later for passenger and freight trains. The line boasts views of enchanting rural landscapes. The quaint old streets of the towns along the line, the old train stations, and folk customs such as the releasing of sky lanterns in Pingxi have all contributed to make this branch line a popular and unique tourist line.

Comic image picture of Hsinchu area in Liujia Sta., By Lai, Youxian, who a comic author from Hsinchu, Taiwan.

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2011-11-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

Great East Japan Earthquake Relief Surtax Stamps／

Timbres de Surtaxe de Relief de Grand Séisme de Japon Est

Postcard from Guyana／carte postale du Guyana

2011-10-26T16:15:00.000-07:00

FDC from Latvia／FDC de la Lettonie

2011-10-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

125th Anniversary of Latvian Cycling／

125e anniversaire de la Lettonie à vélo

Latvian Ports－Freeport of Riga／

Ports lettons－Port franc de Riga.

FDC from Taiwan／FDC de Taïwan

2011-10-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China(TAIWAN)／

100e anniversaire de la fondation de la République de Chine (Taïwan)

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Republic of China, Chunghwa Post will issue a set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet on the republic’s 100th birthday: October 10, 2011. The designs follow:

1. Each of the four stamps depicts a major stage in the development of the ROC:

(1) The Founding of the Republic (NT$5): The stamp features the national flag and a portrait of the founding father Dr. Sun Yat-sen. In the background are a group of flying doves, symbols of peace, and lyrics to the national anthem. The stamp conveys Sun Yat-sen’s sacrifices and devotion to the revolution, which led to the establishment of the first republic in Asia.

(2) Agricultural and Economic Development (NT$5): Featuring a copy of the ROC constitution, the Presidential Office Building, and abundant agricultural produce, the stamp symbolizes agricultural development during the early days of the ROC in Taiwan.

(3) Transportation Infrastructure (NT$10): The stamp features Taoyuan International Airport’s newly renovated Terminal I building, a highway, an airplane, and a ship. These images demonstrate the country’s transportation infrastructure, economic development and trade growth, as well as its global vision.

(4) High Technology Development (NT$25): The foreground features a high-speed train and IC wafers. Fiber-optic cables, a parabolic dish for satellite or radar transmissions, and a globe with crisscrossing latitude and longitude lines can be seen in the background. The stamp conveys how this country is striving to raise its technological capabilities to be on a par with the most advanced nations of the world.

Also released is a souvenir sheet (NT$25). The color scheme of the sheet reflects the blue sky, white sun and red earth of the national flag. The design features the national flag, the Presidential Office Building and a portrait of Dr. Sun Yat-sen with the ROC constitution as the background.

2. The stamps are printed in a se-tenant strip of four with special perforations of the numerals “1,” “0,” and “0” between the individual stamps. Each stamp has the design of “100” as background. As befitting a celebratory occasion, the logo of the centennial is placed on each stamp and souvenir sheet whereas the Chinese and English characters and the denominations are printed in gold color. Some special techniques are also adopted in printing the souvenir sheet, ex: the title printed with foil, the wordings “In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Founding” is hot stamped with optical variable film, and the Chinese for “the Republic of China Stamp”, as well as English words “REPUBLIC OF CHINA (TAIWAN)” and the denomination are printed in gold color.

A stamp folio will be released along with the stamps. The folio includes a set of the commemorative issue and a souvenir sheet, a “2nd Print of the National Flower Postage Stamp”, a “Fireworks Display Postage Stamps” and a limited edition specimen of the commemorative souvenir sheet. Also included are five postal cards, four of which are affixed with a relative stamp from this issue, and pre-cancelled. Both the folio and the postal cards have a double cross design which resemble the Chinese character for ten to symbolize “Double Tenth Day”—i.e. the national day of the Republic of China on October 10. On an interleaf, the lyrics to the ROC national anthem are embossed while printing. The design of the folio, both of its inside and its cover, are very creative.

postcard from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croatia Post)／carte postale de la Bosnie-Herzégovine (Croatie Post)

2011-10-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

Postcard from Fiji／carte postale des Fidji

2011-08-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Postcard from Barbados／carte postale de la Barbades

2011-07-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

Postcard from Tajikistan／carte postale du Tadjikistan

2011-07-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

Maximum card from Japan／cartes-maximum du Japon

2011-06-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

Anime - The Rose of Versailles／La Rose de Versailles

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2011-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

Anime - The Rose of Versailles／La Rose de Versailles

The Rose of Versailles (ベルサイユのばら Berusaiyu no Bara), also known as Lady Oscar or La Rose de Versailles, is one of the best-known titles in shōjo manga and a media franchise created by Riyoko Ikeda. It has been adapted into several Takarazuka Revue musicals, as well an anime television series, produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha and broadcast by the anime television network Animax and Nippon Television. The show remains incredibly popular in Italy.

The Rose of Versailles focuses on Oscar François de Jarjayes, a girl raised as a man to become her father's successor as leader of the Palace Guards. A brilliant combatant with a strong sense of justice, Oscar is proud of the life she leads, but becomes torn between class loyalty and her desire to help the impoverished as revolution brews among the oppressed lower class. Also important to the story are her conflicting desires to live life as both a militiant and a regular woman as well as her relationships with Marie Antoinette, Count Axel von Fersen, and servant and best friend André Grandier.

It features elements of the yuri genre embodied in the relationship between Oscar and her protégée Rosalie Lamorlière, the secret daughter of the scheming Madame de Polignac, whose admiration for Oscar may be interpreted as either idol worship or romantic love coming from her possible bisexuality. Many of the court ladies also greatly adore Oscar, openly admiring her at parties and become very jealous when she brings female companions to them.

La Rose de Versailles (ベルサイユのばら, Berusaiyu no bara) de Riyoko Ikeda est un manga de type shōjo paru pour la première fois au Japon en 1972. Le monde francophone ayant découvert la série à travers son adaptation animée de 1979, Lady Oscar, ne verra la parution du manga en français qu'en 2002.

Berusaiyu est la translitération de la prononciation japonaise de Versailles. Berusaiyu no bara signifie la - ou les - rose(s) de Versailles.

L'action se situe en France, avant et pendant la Révolution française. Dans la première partie de l'histoire, le personnage principal est la jeune et étourdie Reine de France, Marie-Antoinette, mais plus tard, l'histoire se recentre sur une femme du nom de Oscar François de Jarjayes. Le père d'Oscar, le général de Jarjayes, désespéré de ne pas avoir de fils (il a six filles), et décide d'élever sa plus jeune fille, comme un homme. Il la forme aux arts de l'escrime et de l'équitation. Oscar s'exerce souvent avec son meilleur ami, compagnon et (techniquement) serviteur, André Grandier. André est le petit-fils de sa nourrice et, de ce fait, ils ont passé la plupart de leur temps ensemble dans une amitié harmonieuse; qui, près de la fin de l'histoire, se change en amour. Oscar est le commandant de la garde royale et responsable de la sécurité de Marie-Antoinette, ainsi que du reste de la famille royale. L'histoire tourne autour de la prise de conscience grandissante d'Oscar sur la manière dont la France est gouvernée, et sur le sort des pauvres. Un autre point important de l'histoire, est l'amour entre Marie Antoinette et le comte suédois Hans Axel de Fersen. Leur relation fait l'objet de rumeurs à travers toute la France, mettant en danger la réputation de la Reine et conduit Oscar à demander au comte de quitter le pays. Le comte décide alors de partir et de s'inscrire à la guerre d'indépendance en Amérique ; Marie-Antoinette se laisse aller au désespoir. Elle commence à dépenser de l'argent en bijoux et vêtements coûteux, assiste à des bals tous les soirs, dans le but de se détourner de la nostalgie des moments passés avec le seul homme qu'elle ait jamais aimé. Cette situation pèse encore plus lourd sur les contribuables français et la France s'enlise dans la pauvreté en raison du gaspillage de l'argent par Marie-Antoinette. Surviennent ensuite l'affaire du collier et l'apparition de la comtesse de Polignac qui aggravent la haine des Français envers leur Reine. Le 14 juillet 1789, c'est la prise de la Bastille : la foule se révolte, mais manque de stratégie à l'avantage de l'armée et devient une cible facile pour les tirs de canons. Toutefois, Oscar et le régiment des Gardes Françaises qu'elle commande alors arrivent pour aider à organiser les insurgés. Au cours de la prise de la Bastille, Oscar est tuée, mais la Bastille tombe finalement, frappant symboliquement la monarchie française. Une fois la Bastille prise, les révolutionnaires font irruption dans le Palais à la recherche de Marie-Antoinette et de sa famille. Un grand nombre de miliciens sont tués et la famille royale est faite prisonnière. Un long procès commence alors pour Marie-Antoinette et Louis XVI, mais les deux sont finalement déclarés coupables et guillotinés.

New Issue: Owls of Taiwan／Les nouveautés: Owls de Taiwan

2011-06-10T21:53:00.000-07:00

Owls (Order Strigiformes) are known as “cat head hawks” in Chinese because their flat faces give them a catlike appearance. Most owls are nocturnal and prey on insects, small birds and mammals. Currently, there are 12 species of owls in Taiwan, all of which are listed as protected species. To increase public understanding and raise awareness about the issues of wildlife conservation, Chunghwa Post has planned a set of four stamps featuring owls of Taiwan. The designs follow:

1. Asio otus (TWD5): About 35 to 40 centimeters long, it has a light yellowish brown facial disc and long ear-tufts. Its upperparts are grayish white and light yellowish brown with vertical blackish brown streaks. Its belly is yellowish brown to creamy white in color, with dark brown vertical streaks and fine horizontal bars. This rarely seen migratory bird overwinters in Taiwan. It prefers thin broad-leaved and coniferous forests.

2. Otus sunia (TWD5): About 15 to 18 centimeters in length, its inconspicuous facial disc is dark brown with a touch of mottled gray. It has ear-tufts. Its upperparts are largely dark brown with fine black vertical streaks. Its foreneck and breast are light yellowish brown with subtle dark brown vertical streaks and fine horizontal bars. There are two types—one reddish and the other grayish brown. A transient bird species in Taiwan, it only occasionally winters.

3. Strix aluco (TWD10): About 35 to 40 centimeters long, its facial disc has a prominent black ring, giving its face the appearance of a halved apple. It has no ear-tuft. Its crown and hindneck are dark brown and mottled with black spots. Its underparts are yellowish brown with prominent blackish brown vertical streaks and fine horizontal bars. Mainly found in mid- to high-elevation broad-leaved or coniferous forests, it is especially fond of higher elevation coniferous forests.

4. Glaucidium brodiei (TWD25): About 15 centimeters in length, its head is small and rounded with no ear-tuft. Its upperparts are brown and its crown is a bit grayer with small white spots and larger creamy yellow spots. Its belly is white, with irregular dark brown vertical streaks along the sides. It can often be found resting in open woodlands or the forest’s edge. It is one of a few owls that are active both during the day and at night.

FDC from North Korea／FDC de la Corée du Nord

2011-06-02T06:25:00.000-07:00

Chollima

Chollima or Chonma is the Korean name for a mythical horse. Its name roughly means "thousand-mile horse", is often portrayed as a winged horse and several such statues are found in the North Korean capital Pyongyang. It is also the nickname of the North Korean national football team. The Chollima Movement was also named after the creature.

The Chollima Movement was a state-sponsored movement in North Korea, analogous to the Chinese Great Leap Forward, intended to promote rapid economic development. It was launched in 1956. North Korea intensified the work-harder campaign by launching the "three-revolution movement" in 1973. As in other countries, the state planning mechanism allowed for the total utilization of resources, hence resulting in rapid industrialization. However, after some time, the movement failed to continue to achieve the same results, because the capacity of the labour supply was fully taken up, whilst technology and technique were still lacking.

Note: D. P. R. of Korea post restart international registered mail after two years of disruption.

cover from Guyana／enveloppe du Guyana

2011-05-07T04:14:00.000-07:00

Cover from Guyana. Used "Lunar New Year 2011- Year of Rabbit S/S", which issued at 2011.
Stamp at left is "This mail is pick up from Normal mail." in Chinese.

New Issue: Alpine Flowers Postage Stamps

2011-04-28T01:59:00.000-07:00

Taiwan is a mountainous island, with more than 200 mountains above 3,000 meters. With the wide range of vertical climatic zones on these mountains—from tropical and subtropical to temperate and cold—come some very diverse forests. Alpine plants grow in areas 3,000 meters above sea level. Constantly exposed to strong ultraviolet radiation, the blooms of these plants are brilliantly colorful. To introduce the beauty of Taiwan’s alpine flowers, Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of four stamps on these flowers. The designs follow:
1. Gentiana scabrida var. punctulata (NT$5): The plant can be found in open meadows and gravelly slopes in high elevation areas of the Central Mountain Range. Each branch typically produces one or two (and occasionally three) terminal flowers. The blooms have yellow campanulate calyx and corolla, with black spots at the base of the petals. Though small, when a colony of these colorful exquisite flowers is in full bloom, the sight is simply breathtaking.
2. Euphrasia transmorrisonensis (NT$5): The plant can be found at high elevations. Its Chinese name literally means “millet grass,” either because its small seeds resemble millet or the two yellow marks on the flower’s lip resemble millet. Its flowers are arranged in racemes, with very short pedicels. Each of its tiny delicate white flowers has four tubular or campanulate sepals and a smidgen of yellow on its corolla.
3. Clematis montana (NT$10): The plant can be found creeping in meadows or scrambling over shrubs on the sunny side of mountains at high elevations. The elegant white flower’s four large petal-like surfaces are actually its white sepals. The pale yellow filaments in the center of its blossoms are its stamen and pistil.
4. Cypripedium formosanum (NT$10): The plant can be found in moist forests on high elevation mountains. Its flowers are borne singly. The ovate lanceolate upper sepals of this showy flower are shell pink with pink veins. Bees enter through the opening of its bulging pouch-shaped labellum to carry out the task of pollination. In Chinese, the plant is nicknamed “umbrella” because its flower is shaped like one. And because its labellum resembles a slipper, the plant is also called Japanese lady’s slipper and Formosa lady’s slipper.

FDC from Israel／FDC de l'Israël

2011-04-07T05:18:00.000-07:00

ATM - CHRISTMAS／NOËL

FDC from Israel／FDC de l'Israël

2011-04-03T09:35:00.000-07:00

ATM - Knesset

The Knesset (Hebrew: הַכְּנֶסֶת‎ Arabic: الكنيست‎) is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.

The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset enacts laws, elects the president and prime minister (although he or she is ceremonially appointed by the President), supervises the work of the government, reserves the power to remove the President of the State and the State Comptroller from office and to dissolve itself and call new elections.

The Knesset has de jure parliamentary supremacy and can pass any law by a simple majority, even one that might arguably conflict with the Basic Laws of Israel, unless the basic law includes specific conditions for its modification; in accordance with a plan adopted in 1950, the Basic Laws have themselves been adopted (and occasionally amended) over the course of the years by the Knesset, acting in its capacity as a Constituent Assembly.

In addition to the absence of a formal constitution, and with no Basic Law thus far being adopted which formally grants a power of judicial review to the judiciary, the Supreme Court of Israel has in recent years asserted its authority, when sitting as the High Court of Justice, to invalidate provisions of Knesset laws it has found to be inconsistent with a Basic Law.The Knesset is guarded by the Knesset Guard.

The size of the Knesset, currently at 120 members, has often been a source of cause for proposed reforms. In 1996, then-Justice Minister Yossi Beilin backed the ultimately unsuccessful institution of the so-called "Norwegian law", which would require appointed members of the cabinet to resign their seats in the Knesset and allow other members of their parties to take their positions while they serve in the cabinet; this would have resulted in more active members of the legislature being present in regular sessions and committee meetings. This proposed law has also been favored by other politicians, including Yitzhak Levy (who has backed the raising of total seats to 150) and current prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2011-03-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

Anime - One Piece

One Piece (ワンピース Wan Pīsu) is a Japanese shōnen manga series written and illustrated by Eiichiro Oda, that has been serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since August 4, 1997. The individual chapters are being published in tankōbon volumes by Shueisha, with the first released on December 24, 1997, and the 61st volume released as of February 2011. In 2010, Shueisha announced that they sold over 200 million volumes of One Piece manga so far; volume 61 set a new record for the highest initial print run of any book in Japan in history with 3.8 million copies (the previous record belonging to volume 60 with 3.4 million copies). Volume 60 is the first book to sell over two million copies in its opening week on Japan's Oricon book rankings. One Piece follows the adventures of Monkey D. Luffy, a 17-year-old boy who gains elastic abilities after inadvertently eating the gum gum fruit, one of the mystical devil fruits, and his diverse crew of pirates, named the Straw Hats. Luffy explores the ocean in search of the world's ultimate treasure known as the One Piece and to become the next Pirate King. On his journey, Luffy battles a wide variety of villains and makes several friends.

The series has been adapted into an original video animation (OVA) produced by Production I.G in 1998, and an anime series produced by Toei Animation, which premiered in Japan in 1999. Since then, the still ongoing series has aired more than four hundred episodes. Additionally, Toei has developed ten animated feature films, an OVA, and five television specials. Several companies have developed various types of merchandising such as a trading card game, and a large number of video games.

The manga series was licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media, in the United Kingdom by Gollancz Manga, and in Australia and New Zealand by Madman Entertainment. The anime series was licensed by Funimation Entertainment for an English language release worldwide, although the series has been dubbed previously by 4Kids Entertainment.

Since its release, One Piece has become one of the most popular manga series of all time in both Japan and North America and is the highest-selling manga in the whole history of Weekly Shōnen Jump in Japan. It enjoys a high readership, with more than 202 million volumes of the series sold by 2011. Reviewers have praised the art, characterization, and humor of the story.

One Piece (ワンピース, Wanpīsu) est un manga, qui est ensuite adapté en anime et en jeux video, de type shōnen créé par Eiichirō Oda.

One Piece se focalise sur les aventures d'une bande de pirates menée par le capitaine Monkey D. Luffy dont le rêve est d'obtenir le One Piece – un fabuleux trésor qui appartenait au défunt seigneur pirate Gol D. Roger (ou Gold Roger) – afin de devenir à son tour le seigneur des pirates.

Le manga est toujours en cours de publication au Japon. Les chapitres sont prépubliés dans le magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump et regroupés en tomes aux éditions Shūeisha depuis 1997. La série télévisée va bientôt avoisiner les 500 épisodes. Le manga, est publié en France par Glénat, et la série est actuellement diffusée en France sur Direct Star et MCM.

Kana Home Video a acquis une licence pour éditer les 325 premiers épisodes de l'anime en français.

FDC from Poland／FDC de la Pologne

2011-03-12T20:49:00.000-08:00

Christmas／Noël

FDC from Israel／FDC de l'Israël

2011-03-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

The Israeli Flag ／Le Drapeau israélien

The flag of Israel (Hebrew: דגל ישראל, Degel Yisrael, Arabic: علم إسرائيل) was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the country's establishment. It depicts a blue Star of David on a white background, between two horizontal blue stripes. The blue colour is mandated only as "dark sky-blue", and varies from flag to flag, ranging from a hue of pure blue, sometimes shaded almost as dark as navy blue, to hues about 75% toward pure cyan and shades as light as very light blue. The flag was designed for the Zionist Movement in 1891. The basic design recalls the Tallit, the Jewish prayer shawl, which is white with blue stripes. The hexagram in the centre is the Magen David ("shield of David"). It became a Jewish symbol starting in late medieval Prague, and was adopted by the First Zionist Congress in 1897.
In 2007, an Israeli flag measuring 660 by 100 metres and weighing 5.2 tonnes was unfurled near the ancient Jewish fortress of Masada, breaking the world record for the largest flag.

Le drapeau d'Israël (en hébreu : דגל ישראל, en arabe : علم إسرائيل) est le drapeau national de l'État d'Israël. Il a été adopté par le mouvement sioniste au XIXe siècle et repris lors de la création de l'État en 1948. Il comporte en son centre l'étoile de David, ou « Maguen David » (de l'hébreu littéralement « Bouclier de David »).

Les proportions du drapeau, ses couleurs (blanc et bleu) et les deux bandes horizontales évoquent le talith, châle de prière juif.

FDC from Israel／FDC de l'Israël

2011-03-06T19:57:00.000-08:00

Gethsemane／Gethsémani

Gethsemane (Greek ΓεΘσημανἰ, Gethsēmani Hebrew:גת שמנים, Aramaic:גת שמני, Gath-Šmânê, Assyrian ܓܕܣܡܢ, Gat Šmānê, lit. "oil press") is a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem most famous as the place where Jesus and his disciples prayed the night before Jesus' crucifixion.

Gethsemane appears in the Greek of the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Mark as Γεθσημανἱ (Gethsēmani). The name is derived from the Assyrian ܓܕܣܡܢ (Gaṯ-Šmānê), meaning "oil press". Matthew (26:36) and Mark (14:32) call it χωρἰον (18:1), a place or estate. The Gospel of John says Jesus entered a garden (κῆπος) with his disciples.

According to the New Testament it was a place that Jesus and his disciples customarily visited, which allowed Judas to find him on the night of his arrest. Overlooking the garden is the Church of All Nations, also known as the Church of the Agony, built on the site of a church destroyed by the Sassanids in 614, and a Crusader church destroyed in 1219. Nearby is the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Mary Magdalene with its golden, onion-shaped domes (Byzantine/Russian style), built by Russian Tsar Alexander III in memory of his mother.

According to Luke 22:43–44, Jesus' anguish in Gethsemane was so deep that "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." According to the Eastern Orthodox Church tradition, Gethsemane is the garden where the Virgin Mary was buried and was assumed into heaven after her dormition on Mount Zion. The Garden of Gethsemane became a focal site for early Christian pilgrims. It was visited in 333 by the anonymous "Pilgrim of Bordeaux", whose Itinerarium Burdigalense is the earliest description left by a Christian traveler in the Holy Land. In his Onomasticon, Eusebius of Caesarea notes the site of Gethsemane located "at the foot of the Mount of Olives", and he adds that "the faithful were accustomed to go there to pray". Ancient olive trees growing in the garden are said to be 900 years old.

Dans la Bible, Gethsémani ou Gethsémané (en grec antique : ΓεΘσημανι, Gethsēmani, en hébreu :גת שמנים, en araméen : גת שמנא, Gat Šmānê, « le pressoir à huile ») est un lieu désignant une oliveraie au pied du mont des Oliviers, connu dans les Évangiles pour être le lieu où ont prié Jésus et les apôtres avant la Crucifixion.

Franchissant le torrent du Cédron, Jésus et ses disciples gagnèrent un jardin situé au pied du mont des Oliviers, appelé Gethsémani où sans doute il venait habituellement bivouaquer avec ses disciples. Judas, qui le savait, y conduisit ceux qui venaient l'arrêter.

« Alors Jésus parvient avec eux à un domaine appelé Gethsémani et leur dit : « Restez ici, pendant que je m'en vais là-bas pour prier. » »

— Évangile de l'apôtre Matthieu chapitre 26, verset 361

Une église a été construite au IVe siècle au bas du mont des Oliviers, par-dessus un rocher commémorant le lieu où Jésus pria, une petra qui est mentionnée dès le début de ce siècle par le Pèlerin de Bordeaux. L'endroit se trouve non loin de la grotte qui commémorait à cette époque le lieu de l'arrestation de Jésus, ceci d'après la description de la pèlerine Égérie. L'église disparut au VIIe siècle et ne fut reconstruite, à peu près sur le même plan, qu'au début du XXe siècle.

Elle se nomme la basilique de la Sainte-Agonie (surnommée l' église de Toutes-les-Nations) et appartient à la custodie franciscaine de Terre Sainte.

New Issue: Taiwan Butterflies Postage Stamps (Issue of 2011)／Les nouveautés: Les Papillons de Taiwan (l'Édition de 2011)

2011-03-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

Date of Issue: 8.4.2011

Because of its richly varied geography and its location straddling the tropics and subtropics, Taiwan has a great number of butterflies with rich species diversity. To call public attention to the importance of ecological conservation, Chunghwa Post previously issued a set of stamps on Taiwan butterflies on June 25, 2009, and it is now following up with a souvenir sheet (Issue of 2011), consisting of four stamps, featuring Euploea butterflies. The souvenir sheet, following the format of its forerunner of 2009, is printed in the shape of a butterfly, with a butterfly-shaped cutout on each stamp. The designs follow:

1. Euploea eunice hobsoni (Butler) (NT$5): This butterfly has dark brown forewings with an iridescent blue shimmer. There are some pale blue gray markings on the submarginal areas of each of its wings and at the center of its forewings.

2. Euploea sylvester swinhoei Wallace Moore (NT$5): The upper surfaces of the forewings of this dark brown butterfly have an iridescent blue shimmer near the apex and light blue spots along the outer edges of its cells. There are three pale blue gray spots at the center of the underside of its forewings.

3. Euploea tulliolus koxinga Fruhstorfer (NT$12): This dark brown butterfly has iridescent blue forewings. There are rows of white markings in the submarginal areas of the upper surfaces of each of its wings. The undersides of its wings are paler in color, with white markings at the center of its forewings and also in positions that correspond to the white spots on its upper surfaces.

4. Euploea mulciber barsine Fruhstorfer (NT$12): The male has a large violescent patch with some scattered tiny white spots near the apex of its forewings. The female has white scattered spots near the apex and white streaks on the inner edges of the forewings and the cells of the hind wings.

New Issue: Fishes of Taiwan Postage Stamps (I)／Les nouveautés: poisson du Taiwan (I)

2011-03-03T06:01:00.000-08:00

Date of Issue:10.3.2011

The native freshwater fish of Taiwan’s rivers, lakes, and estuaries comprise the most diverse group of vertebrates within the island’s terrestrial ecosystem. Chunghwa Post has planned a series of postage stamps to introduce the beauty of Taiwan’s freshwater fishes. The first set of the series features Taiwan endemic fishes: Candidia barbatus, Opsariichthys pachycephalus, Spinibarbus hollandi, and Squalidus banarescui. The designs follow:

1. Candidia barbatus (NT$5): This silver white fish has an obvious deep blue lateral stripe extending from its gill cover to the base of its caudal fin. It typically measures about 6 to 12 centimeters long, but large examples can sometimes reach 20 centimeters. It is commonly seen in the upper stretches of rivers and their branches in western Taiwan. As a result of human introduction in recent years, it can be found in the rivers of the Hualien and Taitung.

2. Opsariichthys pachycephalus (NT$5): An adult male has some ten blue-green vertical streaks on the sides of its body and displays nuptial coloration in the area below its gill covers as well as at its pelvic, pectoral, and anal fins. Vigorous and ferocious, the species’ strong predatory characteristics make it a popular target for stream fishing. It typically measures about 8 to 15 centimeters long, but large examples can reach 20 centimeters. It is commonly seen in the rivers of western Taiwan.

3. Spinibarbus hollandi (NT$12): The fish has a medium-to-large mouth aperture and two pairs of barbels. The back of its body is slate gray and its sides are silver white. This large carp typically measures about 20 to 40 centimeters long. The largest examples can reach 60 centimeters in length. The stamp features a medium-sized adult. It can be found in the middle stretches of rivers in southern and eastern Taiwan.

4. Squalidus banarescui (NT$25): This fish is slightly transparent, with a black and gold lateral line on the sides of its body. There is a black marking that resembles the Chinese character for eight “八” on each of its lateral line scales. This small carp measures about 8 to 10 centimeters long. It can only be found in relatively deep and slow and slightly muddy rivers in central Taiwan.

FDC from Belarus／FDC de la Biélorussie

2011-02-24T09:04:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year／

Joyeux Noël et Bonne année

FDC from Croatia／FDC de la Croatie

2011-02-22T23:39:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS 2010／NOËL 2010

Adoration of the Shepherds, Josip Biffel, Gallery “Šimun” of the Franciscan Monastery of St. Anthony, Dubrave near Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina Christmas lasts. Already for 2010 years the Child is born into its death and resurrection. Ever since the world has been counting time from this birth, the scene of birth was being complemented and enriched. Apart from the main characters, there appear and exchange also the episodists; metaphors gain bodies and the warm muteness of animals completes the human register. The spirit of time arranges the story, lavishing presents and deducing the story to essentials. The styles and epochs have been exchanging round the stall, but never disregarded it. Many painters and sculptors have brought the goodness of their lives, dear lineaments of their wives and children, their next of kins and even their own into the scene of birth. By one’s own experience or longing anyone could settle in this scene. It survived also the chase of narration in modern times. A new, sometimes stiff emotion has carried over the torches of Bethlehem into our time. The painter Josip Biffel (born in 1933, graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 1959 in the class of Đuro Tiljak, professor at the same Academy) is among many who bowed in front of the stall. He did it in a modern way, renouncing the tiny details and filling out the space of great expansibility by the magic of light. The blue darkness of the sky and the little cave, the caring Joseph and animals in it, the reflection of light across the distant country, the night behind the shoulders of modest characters who had heard the call and have come to admire the new life, the shine on the mother and child, on the crown of a magical tree dialoguing with heavenly voices and the unusual purple sent off by the night – so could maybe Biffel’s painting be translated into word. Biffel has not taken that much with him from his professor at the Academy, much more has he exchanged with his contemporaries, with Ivančić, Stančić, Lesiak…A great part of his work he devoted to sacral motifs and especially to sacral spaces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Creation of space, investigation of its dimensions, rotating of horizons, compression or extension of deepnesses are main features of his poetics. Exactly his paintings concerned with space are probably his most own and finest works. And this space is filled with colours that carry light and darkness, that replace the description by their shine and glowing. The Gallery “Šimun”, housing Biffel’s painting together with seven hundred and twenty other Croatian modern works of art, from which also this year’s Christmas stamp comes, is the collection of the great Franciscan collector, Fra Stjepan Pavić. It is also one of the most beautiful collections of Bosnia and Herzegovina and also Croatia which contributes to understanding and defining of not only our but also universal homeland.

FDC from Belarus／FDC de la Biélorussie

2011-02-17T23:09:00.000-08:00

Flora - Endangered plants of Belarus／

La flore - les usines Mises en danger de la Biélorussie

"H"：Oxlip paigle
"P"：Dark-winged orchis

Letter “H” is equal to the surface tariff of a letter up to 20 gram abroad.
Letter “P” is equal to the air-mail tariff of a letter up to 20 gram abroad.

FDC from Malaysia／FDC de la Malaisie

2011-02-16T09:25:00.000-08:00

Children's Pets 2011／

Les Animaux de compagnie d'Enfants 2011

Young children need a hobby or pastime. Not only will an interesting hobby keep children entertained, but many hobbies provide an educational experience as well. In this day and age of video games and computers, parents should encourage their children to spend time with other educational and challenging interests that can also build positive morale and outlook. Some hobbies that begin when a person is young may even develop into a lifelong interest such as keeping a pet.

Pets are domestic or tamed animals kept for companionship or merely for the beauty of the animals. Having pets at home is one of the most common hobbies that people all over the world share. Children raised with pets show many benefits. It is also a recommended hobby for children as it teaches them responsibility and how to care for animals and also help children develop their social skill.

While dogs and cats are the most popular household pets all over the world due to their loyal or playful characteristics and attractive appearance, other popular pets include rabbits, hamsters and fish. Today even pets like spiders, pythons and other exotic animals are also becoming widely known amongst animal enthusiasts.

While all kinds of pets can bring cheer and joy to children, it is important to choose a pet that is right for your family, your home and your lifestyle; and one that your child can care for. A goldfish in an aquarium will be ideal for even the smallest of spaces. However, for have a big dog, you will need a lot of space. Also be prepared for a long term commitment of caring for pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits, that can live up to ten years. Pet keeping not only involves caring for the animal but also includes the costs of feeding and medical bills that may be unavoidable to ensure that the pets are in the best of health. Pets can serve different purposes for children and can be one of the most rewarding of all hobbies. On the other hand, the most common reasons for not owning a pet are the lack of time, lack of suitable housing and lack of ability to care for the pet when travelling. Therefore proper planning is necessary to help make pet ownership a positive experience for everyone and create fond memories that last a lifetime.

Dogs

Dogs are known as man's best friend due to their loyalty to their owner. Dogs are lovable, fun and playful. They love all outdoor exercises especially playing "fetch". There are a wide variety of breeds with different advantages and disadvantages. However the correct breed or dog depends on the kind of space available in owner's home.

The smaller breed is ideal if kept in a small apartment or house.

Cats

Aloof as they may seem, cats are actually playful but well-manner creatures. Cats like to be pampered by humans. Cats show their affection for their owners not only through purring, but also by pawing your arms, legs or elsewhere on your body.

Cats are also avid spectators. They love to see what is going on around them. They do these by jumping to high places like the sofa, cabinet or table to keep a watchful eye on you and what you're doing.

Rabbits

Rabbits have always been popular as pets, especially among children. They never fail to amuse the little ones with their cute and cuddly looks and behavior. However, animals such as rabbits that are kept in cages require a little more attention. Since they are kept in enclosures, it would be more considerate if they are allowed room to move freely. Rabbits should never be kept in small enclosures for a long period of time. Their enclosure should be big enough so that they can easily hop and run about and hide when it wants to. Animals kept at home should be provided with a sense of being in their natural habitat. This way, they feel free and they live happily.

Another important aspect is that rabbits are physically too delicate to be handled roughly. Rabbits take some time to get used to their new surroundings and new companions. When these creatures feel frightened, they become defensive and exhibit behaviour of biting, scratching or running away. Therefore, it is important to help children understand how to care for rabbits and understand its needs and requirements.

Rabbits are also prone to a few diseases that are hard to treat. although rabbits require less grooming than dogs and cats, proper diet and hygiene of their feeding and bedding area will ensure a healthy and happy rabbit.

FDC from Israel／FDC de l'Israël

2011-02-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

Endangered Even-toed Ungulate Species／

Espèce menacée - Les artiodactyles

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2011-02-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law - Saga Prefecture／

Le 60ème Anniversaire de Mise en vigueur de la Loi d'Autonomie Locale - la Préfecture de saga

Saga Prefecture (佐賀県 Saga-ken) is located in the northwest part of the island of Kyūshū, Japan. It touches both the Sea of Japan and the Ariake Sea. The western part of the prefecture is a region famous for producing ceramics and porcelain, particularly the towns of Karatsu, Imari, and Arita. The capital is the city of Saga.

In ancient times the area composed by Nagasaki Prefecture and Saga Prefecture was called Hizen Province. The current name dates from the Meiji Restoration. Rice farming culture has prospered here since ancient times, and vestiges can be seen at the ruins of Nabatake in Karatsu and the Yoshinogari site in Yoshinogari.

From the Kamakura period to the Muromachi period it is thought that over 100 feudal clans existed. Also exerting great influence during this time was a samurai clan operating along the Genkai Sea called the Matsuratō. Upon entering the Sengoku period, the Ryūzōji clan expanded their control to include all of Hizen and Chikugo Provinces, and part of Higo and Chikuzen Provinces. After the death of daimyo Takanobu Ryūzōji, Naoshige Nabeshima took control of the political situation, and by 1607 all of the Ryūzōji clan's domain was under the control of the Nabeshima clan.

In the Edo period this area was called the Saga Domain (佐賀藩 Saga-han), and it included three sub-domains: the Hasunoike, Ogi and Kashima Domains. Also within the current borders of Saga Prefecture during this time were the Karatsu Domain (唐津藩 Karatsu-han) and two territories of the Tsushima-Fuchū Domain (対馬府中藩 Tsushimafuchū-han). Saga Domain and its sub-domains continued to be ruled by the Nabeshima clan, its various illegitimate family lineages and members of the former Ryūzōji clan, and politically the area was relatively stable. However, the cost of defending Nagasaki was increasing and, difficult from the start, the financial situation was worsened by the great Kyōhō famine and the Siebold Typhoon of 1828. Nevertheless, due to the large area of reclaimed land from the Ariake Sea arable land was able to increase significantly and by the 1840s the annual koku of Saga Domain increased to about 670,000, twice that of 200 years before.

Around the middle of the 19th century, Naomasa Nabeshima strove to set right the domain's financial affairs, reduce the number of government officials, and encourage local industry such as Arita porcelain, green tea, and coal. Also, thanks to the proximity of the international port of Nagasaki, new technologies were introduced from overseas, such as the reverberatory furnace and models of steam locomotives.

After the Boshin war, many people from Saga Domain assisted in the Meiji Restoration. In the Meiji era the modernization of coal mines in Kishima and Higashimatsuura districts, among others, progressed bolstered by the construction of railroads.

La préfecture de Saga (佐賀県, Saga-ken) est située dans la partie nord-ouest de Kyūshū, au Japon. Elle est entourée par la préfecture de Fukuoka à l'est, la préfecture de Nagasaki à l'ouest, la mer de Genkai au nord, et la mer d'Ariake au sud, où la différence entre la marée-haute et la marée-basse est d'environ six mètres.

Avant 1871 et la mise en place du système des préfectures, la région composée par la préfecture de Saga et la préfecture de Nagasaki était occupée par la province de Hizen. Pendant la période Edo, le clan Nabeshima dominait la région,ce qui lui vaut une célébrité mondiale grâce au Hagakure.

La région de Saga a connu très tôt la riziculture et des vestiges de rizières de cette époque ont été retrouvées aux ruines de Nabatakeiseki à Kuratsu et à Yoshinogari.

FDC from Singapore／FDC de la Singapour

2011-02-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

Zodiac series: Rabbit／la série de Zodiaque : Lapin

FDC from Latvia／FDC de la Lettonie

2011-02-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

Rabbit／Le lapin

FDC from Canada／FDC de la Canada

2011-01-30T06:55:00.000-08:00

Year of Rabbit／année de lapin

FDC from Nagorno-Karabakh／FDC du Haut-Karabagh

2011-01-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

770th anniversary of consecration of the church of St. John, the baptist of Gandzasar／

Le 770ème anniversaire de consécration de l'église de saint Jean , le baptiste de Gandzasar

Gandzasar monastery (Armenian: Գանձասարի վանք) is a 13th century Armenian monastery situated in the Mardakert region of Nagorno-Karabakh, near the village of Vank. "Gandzasar" means treasure mountain or hilltop treasure in Armenian.The monastery holds relics believed to belong to St Zechariah, father of John the Baptist. Gandzasar was the residence of the catholicoi of the Albanian Catholicate of the Armenian Apostolic Church from about 1400 until 1816, and is now the seat of the Archbishop of Artsakh.

The construction of Gandzasar began in 1216, under the patronage of the Armenian prince of Khachen, Hasan-Jalal Dawla, and it was completed in 1238 and consecrated on July 22, 1240.

The complex is protected by high walls. Within the complex is the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist (Սուրբ Յովհաննու Մկրտիչ եկեղեցի in Armenian), built between 1216 and 1238. The drum of its dome has exquisite bas-reliefs that depict the Crucifixion, Adam and Eve, and two ministers holding a model of the church above their heads as an offering to God. The bas-reliefs have been compared to the elaborate carvings of Aghtamar, and some art historians consider the monastery to represent one of the masterpieces of Armenian architecture. Anatoly L. Yakobson, a prominent Soviet medieval art historian, described Gandzasar as a "pearl of architectural art....This is a unique monument of medieval architecture and monumental sculpture, which by right ought to be regarded as an encyclopedia of 13th-century Armenian art."

Gandzasar's cathedral church shares many architectural forms with the main churches of two other Armenian monasteries also built in the mid-13th century: Hovhannavank Monastery and Harichavank Monastery.

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2011-01-25T08:33:00.000-08:00

PHILANIPPON 2011

(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)
(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)

(1)(6) Astro Boy
(2)(7) Doraemon
(3)(8) Pikachu
(4)(9) Hello!Kitty
(5)(10) Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga(First manga in Japan)

FDC from North Korea／FDC de la Corée du Nord

2011-01-22T09:09:00.000-08:00

Rabbit／lapin

New Issue:Valentine's Day Postage Stamps (Issue of 2011)／Les nouveautés:Les Timbres de Saint-Valentin (l'Édition de 2011)

2011-01-19T16:05:00.000-08:00

Young people in Taiwan now widely celebrate western Valentine’s Day on February 14. Looking to attract the younger generations to stamp collecting as well as to encourage letter writing, Chunghwa Post is releasing another set of two Valentine’s Day stamps (Issue of 2011), which feature messages of love. The first in this series of stamp sets was issued on February 6, 2007.

The concept behind the design of this set of stamps is the code of true love, which Chunghwa Post first ever makes use of QR code (quick response code) technology. QR code can store more information than regular barcode. To decode the hidden message, users only have to take a picture of the QR code with a mobile phone camera that can take images of over 300,000 pixels, and the decode software in the phone will read the message and display it on the screen.

The design of the stamp features a heart formed by a row of perforations, as well as images of roses, presents, hearts, and the word “LOVE” created from pixels. Through the interaction between the sender and the receiver, these stamps convey love and heighten the romantic atmosphere of Valentine’s Day. The message of the code is “Happy Valentine’s Day” for the NT$5 stamp and “I Love You” for the NT$25 stamp.

(TAIWAN)New Issue: Long-horned Beetles Postage Stamps(II)／Les nouveautés: Timbres des Cerambycidae(II)

2011-01-15T22:46:00.000-08:00

Date of Issue: 26.01.2011

Previously issued a set of stamps on long-horned beetles on May 21, 2010, this Post is following up with a second set of four stamps, featuring Aeolesthes oenochrous, Doliops similis, Thermistis taiwanensis, and Dorysthenes pici. The designs follow:

1. Aeolesthes oenochrous (NT$1.00): Commonly known as the Wu-she blood-spotted long-horned beetle in English, the body of this large beetle is densely covered with shiny red hairs. The last three segments of the male’s back-sweeping antennae extend beyond the tips of its elytra, whereas the female’s antennae are shorter than its body. It is found in broad-leaved forests between 600 and 1,500 meters above sea level in mid and northern Taiwan, as well as in China.

2. Doliops similis (NT$3.50): This species is a mimic of the hard-shelled Pachyrrhynchus. This attractive beetle has a black body covered with iridescent blue markings. It has large femurs and tarsi. An endemic species of Taiwan, it can only be found on Orchid Island.

3. Thermistis taiwanensis (NT$10.00): This beetle has a black body, with a yellow blotch on the front of its head, a yellow band on each side of its pronotum, and tubercles on the outer edges of the pronotum. Its elytra are black with yellow bands. Its antennae are black. Its femurs are yellow and the remainder of its legs and claws are black. Endemic to Taiwan, this species is found in broad-leaved forests between 1,200 and 1,500 meters above sea level.

4. Dorysthenes pici (NT$32.00): It has a dark brown, almost black body and a very developed mandible. There are two serrations on its pronotal edge. The male’s antennae extend over half way down its elytra, whereas the female’s only reach the length of one third of its elytra. Endemic to Taiwan, the species is found in broad-leaved forests between 300 and 1,400 meters above sea level in northern Taiwan.

FDC from Taiwan／FDC du Taiwan

2011-01-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

Fireworks Display Postage Stamps／Timbres d'Étalage de Feux d'artifice

Fireworks displays, kaleidoscopes of color and light, look dazzling and spectacular against the inky night sky. These artful renderings of high-tech sound and light effects really wow people and bring them great joy. To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China, Chunghwa Post is releasing a souvenir sheet on January 1, 2011. The souvenir sheet is designed by Up Creative Design and Advertising Corporation and printed by the Central Engraving & Printing Plant. The designs and special features of the souvenir sheet follow:

1. This souvenir sheet includes four stamps, each depicting a firework sight fused into a river nightscape. From left to right: the Double Tenth Day fireworks display in Taipei (NT$5), Taipei 101’s New Year fireworks display (NT$5), the Lantern Festival fireworks display on Kaohsiung’s Love River (NT$25), and the Dragon Boat Festival fireworks display in Taoyuan County’s Longtan (NT$25). The background of the souvenir sheet features a fireworks display by the Taipei Ferris Wheel, which conveys a sense of universal celebration.

2. The souvenir sheet is printed in intaglio combined with offset. For the first time ever, the sheet is hot stamped with optical variable film to highlight the fireworks displays and the play of light and shadow on the Ferris wheel.

3. A stamp folio will be released along with this souvenir sheet. To add to collecting value, the folio comes with a souvenir sheet, as well as an offset print plate proof and an optical variable film proof with serial numbers.

Greeting card from North Korea／carte de voeux de la Corée du Nord

2011-01-01T23:09:00.000-08:00

Greeting Card from Korean Stamp Corp., Pyongyang, D. P. R. of Korea.

FDC from South Korea／FDC de la Corée du Sud

2010-12-26T02:10:00.000-08:00

Year of Rabbit／année de lapin

FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

2010-12-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

Year of the cat／année du chat

The Vietnamese zodiac is almost identical to Chinese zodiac except that the second animal is the water buffalo instead of the ox, the fourth animal is the cat instead of the rabbit The 8th animal is the goat instead of the sheep.

FDC from Austria／FDC de l'Autriche

2010-12-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

Orient Express／Orient-Express

This stamp block is a philatelic Premiere, but is he the first joint issue of Austria and Romania. The chosen theme is "Orient Express", those legendary train connection, therefore, which once linked the two countries in a very luxurious manner. This attractive block in the background motif shows a map on which the relevant route is listed by the Paris Ostbahnhof, the Ferris Wheel and the famous Mosque Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, furthermore, the word "Orient Express" and the impressive track plate. The two brand images themselves each show historic locomotives of the Orient Express and the two drive-through cities of Salzburg and the former royal summer residence in Sinaia, Romania.
The story: In the period until the Second World War, the Orient Express was a luxury train of the "Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits, of Paris and Constantinople (now Istanbul) combined. Man wrote the 5th June 1883, when he for the first time from the station Paris East in the East drove - a feudal hotel train the first class lounge, sleeping and dining cars. In the early years the journey ended in the Romanian city of Giurgiu, travelers to Constantinople had to cross the Danube by ferry, then travel with a normal train to Varna and then take from the ship. It was not until 1888, the Orient Express runs continuously over Budapest, Belgrade and Sofia to Constantinople. The travel time on the 3186 km long route was almost 70 hours, there were local dishes and various folk performances to entertain the well-heeled passengers. Known of the Orient-Express was not only by its luxury and the audience of European high-finance and nobility, but also through some spectacular incident. Sun in 1891 brought a Greek robbers the train derailed west of Constantinople, kidnapped four men and left them free only after a substantial ransom had been paid. A few years later, an envoy of the French government, was murdered in his compartment, and even 1950, the railway at that time was long a normal D-train, a U.S. military attaché of the Eastern bloc agents was attacked and robbed.
After a checkered history in recent decades wrong end only a small remnant of the legendary service between Strasbourg - Vienna in December 2009, however, this route has been canceled, which meant the end for the Orient Express. Several novels and famous movie was certainly not insignificant in this train to glory. On behalf of many others here are Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express" and the James Bond film "From Russia with Love" is mentioned.

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2010-12-12T07:36:00.000-08:00

The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law - Aomori Prefecture／

Le 60ème Anniversaire de Mise en vigueur de la Loi d'Autonomie Locale - la Préfecture d'Aomori

Aomori Prefecture (青森県 Aomori-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.

Aomori Prefecture came into existence in 1871. Aomori Town was established in 1889. The town was incorporated as a city in 1898 with a population of 28,000. On May 3, 1910 a fire broke out in the Yasukata district. Fanned by strong winds, the fire quickly devastated the whole city. The conflagration claimed 26 lives and injured a further 160 residents. It destroyed 5,246 houses and burnt 19 storage sheds and 157 warehouses.

At 10:30 p.m. on July 28, 1945 a squadron of American B29 bombers bombed over 90% of the city.

Radio Aomori (RAB) made its first broadcast in 1951. Four years later, the first fish auctions were held. 1958 saw the completion of the Municipal Fish Market as well as the opening of the Citizen's Hospital. In the same year, the Tsugaru Line established a rail connection with Minmaya Village at the tip of the peninsula.

Various outlying towns and villages were incorporated into the growing city and with the absorption of Nonai Village in 1962, Aomori became the largest city in the prefecture.

In March 1985, after 23 years of labor and a financial investment of 700 billion yen, the Seikan Tunnel finally linked the islands of Honshū and Hokkaidō, thereby becoming the longest tunnel of its kind in the world.[citation needed] Almost exactly three years later, on March 13, railroad service was inaugurated on the Tsugaru Kaikyo Line.

That same day saw the end of the Seikan Ferry service. During their 80 years of service, the familiar ferries of the Seikan line sailed between Aomori and Hakodate some 720,000 times, carrying 160 million passengers.

In April 1993, Aomori Public College opened. In August 1994, Aomori City made an "Education, Culture and Friendship Exchange Pact" with Kecskemet in Hungary. One year later a similar treaty was signed with Pyongtaek in South Korea, and cultural exchange activities began with exchanges of woodblock prints and paintings.

In April 1995, Aomori Airport began offering regular international air service to Seoul, South Korea, and Khabarovsk, Russia.

In June 2007, four North Korean defectors reached Aomori Prefecture, after having been at sea for six days, marking the second known case ever where defectors have successfully reached Japan by boat.

Aomori Prefecture is the northernmost prefecture on Honshū and faces Hokkaidō across the Tsugaru Strait. It borders Akita and Iwate in the south. Oma, at the northwestern tip of the axe-shaped Shimokita Peninsula, is the northernmost point of Honshū. The Shimokita and Tsugaru Peninsulas enclose Mutsu Bay. Between those peninsulas lies the Natsudomari Peninsula, the northern end of the Ōu Mountains. The three peninsulas are prominently visible in the prefecture's symbol, a stylized map.

Lake Towada, a crater lake, straddles Aomori's boundary with Akita.

La préfecture d'Aomori (青森県, Aomori-ken) occupe l'extrême nord de l'île de Honshū, la principale île du Japon. Elle fait face à l'île de Hokkaidō.

La préfecture d’Aomori fut fondée en 1871. Son chef-lieu, Aomori, fut établi en 1889 et constituée comme ville en 1898. Elle était alors peuplée de 28 000 habitants.

Le 3 mai 1910, un incendie éclata dans le district Yasukata et dévasta toute la ville en moins de 4 heures. L'incendie fit 26 morts, 160 blessés et détruisit 5.246 habitations.

À la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le 28 juillet 1945, un escadron de bombardiers américains survola Aomori et bombarda plus de 90% de la ville en moins de deux heures.

Radio Aomori fit sa première diffusion en 1951.

En 1955 sont tenues les premières criées de poissons, et 1958 célébra l'achèvement du Marché Municipal aux Poissons ainsi que l'ouverture de l'Hôpital Municipal. Cette même année, la ligne Tsugaru établit une connexion ferroviaire avec le village Minmaya, à la pointe de la péninsule.

À la même époque, différentes villes et villages isolés furent incorporés à la ville en pleine croissance. L'absorption du village de Nonai en 1962 fit d’Aomori la plus grande ville de la préfecture.

En mars 1985, après 23 ans de travail et un investissement financier de 700 milliards de yens, le tunnel du Seikan relia enfin les îles de Honshū et Hokkaidō, devenant ainsi le plus long tunnel de son genre du monde.

En avril 1993, les efforts de la ville d'Aomori et d'un groupe de six autres collectivités locales furent récompensés par l'ouverture du Lycée Public d’Aomori.

En août 1994, la ville d'Aomori établit un "Pacte amical d’éducation, de culture et d'échange" avec Kecskemet en Hongrie, puis l’année suivante avec la ville Pyongtaek en Corée du Sud. L’échange culturel débuta par des échanges d'estampes et de peintures.

En avril 1995, l'aéroport d'Aomori devient le premier de la région du Tōhoku à offrir des services aériens internationaux réguliers à destination de Séoul en Corée du Sud et de Khabarovsk en Russie.

En juin 2007, quatre réfugiés nord-coréens ont atteint la préfecture d'Aomori après six jours en mer, devenant ainsi le deuxième cas officiellement connu où des réfugiés réussirent à atteindre le Japon par bateau.

La préfecture d’Aomori se situe à l’extrême nord de Honshū, région également appelée le Tōhoku.

Elle est bordée au sud par les préfectures d'Akita et d'Iwate, et au nord par la baie de Mutsu et le détroit de Tsugaru.

Elle possède deux péninsules, Shimokita et Tsugaru.

Le lac Towada, un lac de caldeira, longe les frontières sud de la préfecture partagées avec Akita.

La préfecture compte 10 villes et 8 districts comprenant un total de 22 bourgs et 8 villages.

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2010-11-29T08:56:00.000-08:00

New Year's Greeting Stamp For 2011(Year of Rabbit)／

Timbre de voeux du Nouvel An pour 2011(année de lapin)

FDC from Taiwan／FDC du Taiwan

2010-11-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

Ancient Chinese Art Treasures Postage Stamps (Issue of 2010)／

Le Chinois ancien Art Chérit des Timbres (l'Édition de 2010)

To introduce the beauty of ancient Chinese artifacts, Chunghwa Post is issuing another set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet on artifacts from the National Palace Museum collection. Designed by Arteck Creative Consultants, Inc., and printed by China Color Printing Co., Ltd. the stamps will be released on November 18, 2010. The designs follow:

1. Gilt-copper Censer with Turquoise Inlays, Qing dynasty (TWD5): The surface of this round ding vessel is decorated with cloud and key fret patterns, while its underside and its round feet are adorned with banana leaf patterns, with turquoise inlays between the leaves. There is a seven-character line in relief under the rim which reads, “Made during the reign of the Qing Emperor Qianlong.”

2. Five Altar Offerings in Gilt Copper-Censer, Qing dynasty (TWD5): This ding vessel, which is shaped like a six-petal flower, is covered with key fret patterns and lotus flower designs. The lid and its knob (which has a dragon design) feature openwork to let incense smoke out.

3. Five Altar Offerings in Gilt Copper with Glass and Enamel Inlays-Censer, Qing dynasty (TWD10): The lid of this octagon-shaped ding vessel features openwork. There is a lion on the top of the lid whose front foot is playing with a ball. Its lid, body, handles and four hoof-shaped feet are decorated with white material, while the lotus-petal patterns on its body and the lotus on its handles are filled with blue enamel.

4. Five Altar Offerings in Gilt Copper with White Jade, Turquoise, and Glass Inlays-Censer, Qing dynasty (TWD25): The lid and body of this square ding vessel are decorated with pieces of white jade inlay with twine-patterned openwork carving. The shoulder of the vessel is inlaid with lotus petals carved out of turquoise and pieces of blue glass. The vessel’s handles and four feet are inlaid with turquoise.

5. Souvenir sheet: (TWD45): It contains the above-mentioned four stamps. The marginal inscription of the sheet features a Qing Dynasty porcelain Buddha in famille rose and Gold Enamel from the National Palace Museum collection, against a background of partial texts of the Diamond Sutra.

Note: The covers of image aren't official FDC. They're print for official use of National Palace Museum.

FDC from Latvia／FDC de la Lettonie

2010-11-12T19:08:00.000-08:00

Birds of Latvia／Aves de Letonia

0.35LVL: The European Roller
0.98LVL: The Eurasian Eagle-owl

The European Roller, Coracias garrulus, is the only member of the roller family of birds to breed in Europe. Its overall range extends into the Middle East and Central Asia and Morocco.

There are two subspecies: the nominate garrulus, which breeds from in north Africa from Morocco east to Tunisia, southwest and south-central Europe and Asia Minor east through northwest Iran to southwest Siberia; and semenowi, which breeds in Iraq and Iran (except northwest) east to Kashmir and north to Turkmenistan, south Kazakhstan and northwest China (west Xinjiang). The European Roller is a long-distance migrant, wintering in southern Africa in two distinct regions, from Senegal east to Cameroon and from Ethiopia west to Congo and south to South Africa.

It is a bird of warm, dry, open country with scattered trees, preferring lowland open countryside with patches of oak Quercus forest, mature pine Pinus woodland with heathery clearings, orchards, mixed farmland, river valleys, and plains with scattered thorny or leafy trees. It winters primarily in dry wooded savanna and bushy plains, where it typically nests in tree holes.

The European Roller is a stocky bird, the size of a Jackdaw at 29–32 cm in length with a 52–58 cm wingspan; it is mainly blue with an orange-brown back. Rollers often perch prominently on trees, posts or overhead wires, like giant shrikes, whilst watching for the large insects, small reptiles, rodents and frogs that they eat.

This species is striking in its strong direct flight, with the brilliant blue contrasting with black flight feathers. Sexes are similar, but the juvenile is a drabber version of the adult.

The display of this bird is a lapwing-like display, with the twists and turns that give this species its English name. It nests in an unlined tree or cliff hole, and lays up to six eggs.

The call is a harsh crow-like sound. It gives a raucous series of calls when nervous.

Some populations migrate to Africa through India. A collision with an aircraft over the Arabian Sea has been recorded.

The European Roller has a large global population, including an estimated 100,000-220,000 individuals in Europe. However, following a moderate decline during 1970-1990, the species has continued to decline especially in Europe, with overall European exceeding 30% in three generations (15 years). In Estonia the 50-100 pairs in 1998 have reduced to no known breeding pairs in 2004; in Latvia and Lithuania populations have decreased from several thousand of pairs in the 1970s to under 30 pairs in 2004. In Russia it has disappeared from the northern part of its range. However, there is no evidence of any declines in Central Asia.

The declines in the European population has resulted in its Red List status being upgraded from Least Concern to Near Threatened in 2005. Threats include persecution on migration in some Mediterranean countries and hundreds, perhaps thousands, are shot for food in Oman every spring. Use of pesticides reduces food availability, and the species is sensitive to changing farming and forestry practices.

The Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is a species of eagle owl resident in much of Europe and Asia. It is also one of the largest types of owls.

The Eagle Owl is a large and powerful bird, smaller than the Golden Eagle but larger than the Snowy Owl. It is sometimes titled the world's largest owl, but so is the Blakiston's Fish Owl, which is slightly bigger on average.The Eagle Owl has a wingspan of up to 138–200 cm (55–79 in) and measures 58–73 cm (23–29 in) long. Females weigh 1.75-4.2 kg (3.9-9.4 lbs) and males weigh 1.5-3.2 kg (3.3-7 lbs). In comparison, the Barn Owl weighs about 500 grams (1.1 lbs). It mainly feeds on small mammals, but can kill prey up to the size of foxes and young deer (up to 10 kg/22 lb), if taken by surprise. Larger prey (over 3 kg/7 lb) is consumed on the ground which leaves the bird vulnerable (for example to foxes). It is said to be routinely able to swallow a hedgehog whole.

The call of the Eagle Owl is a deep resonant “ooh-hu” with emphasis on the first syllable for the male, and a more high-pitched uh-Hu for the female (in German and Hungarian, the name of this bird is "Uhu" and the Dutch name is “Oehoe”). Each member of an Eagle Owl population can be identified by means of its vocalizations.

The size, ear tufts and orange eyes make this a distinctive species. It has a strong direct flight. The ear tufts of males are more upright than those of females.

The horned owls are a part of the larger grouping of owls known as the typical owls, Strigidae, which contains most species of owl. The other grouping is the barn owls, Tytonidae.

The Eagle Owl is largely nocturnal and is found in mountains and forests with cliffs and rocky areas, usually nesting on cliff ledges. They live for around 20 years although like many other bird species in captivity they can live much longer, perhaps up to 60 years.
In winter

Although Eagle Owls are usually considered to be a bird of the wilderness, they have been observed hunting vermin on open landfills in Northern Europe. This poses a certain risk for the owls as any pollutants the rats they feed on have ingested may be enriched in the owls. Eagle Owls that hunt on landfills have also sometimes been seen flying with waste entangled around their feet.

Eagle Owls have also been observed living in European cities. Since 2005, at least five couples have nested in Helsinki.The number is expected to increase due to the growth of a wild hare population in Helsinki. (Finns do not make a distinction between hares and rabbits. Thus it is sometimes erroneously reported that Eagle owls are feeding on wild rabbits. Hares are extremely common in Helsinki less so rabbits.) In June 2007, an Eagle Owl nicknamed 'Bubi' landed in the crowded Helsinki Olympic Stadium during the European Football Championship qualification match between Finland and Belgium. The match was interrupted for six minutes. After tiring of the match, following Jonathan Johansson's opening goal for Finland, the bird left the stadium. Finland's national football team have had the nickname Huuhkajat (Finnish for Eurasian Eagle-owls) ever since. The owl was named "Helsinki Citizen of the Year" in December 2007.. The best place to see Eagle owl for the tourist in Helsinki is in the Kamppi area. Try the top of the Forum shopping centre between the main Railway station and Kamppi Metro

FDC from Taiwan／FDC du Taiwan

2010-11-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition／2010 Taipei Exposition de Flore internationale

The 2010 Taipei International Flora Expo, which will be held from November 6, 2010 to April 25, 2011, is the first international horticultural exposition ever held in Taiwan recognized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers. To mark this grand occasion, Chunghwa Post is releasing two souvenir sheets.
The expo’s logo is an orchid blossom made up of five human figures. Each of the five figures represents a separate continent and has a different color—red, orange, blue, green or purple. Inspired by the seasons of nature, the mascots of the expo are fairies representing five flowers: the lily, the sun flower, the moth orchid, the hydrangea, and the tulip. One of the souvenir sheets comprises nine NT$5 stamps, each depicting a species of orchid, for a total value of NT$45. The other souvenir sheet comprises ten NT$5 stamps, for a total value of NT$50. Each of the mascots is represented by two stamps. The logo of the expo can be found in each stamp and in marginal inscriptions of both sheets.
A stamp folio – “Blooming Flowers Stamp Folio” and two framed-shaped holders with one souvenir sheet separately – “Blooming Orchids” and “Dancing Flowers” will be released at the same time. In addition to two souvenir sheets, the stamp folio contains one sheet of stickers with floral design as a compliment.

FDC from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska)／FDC de la Bosnie-Herzégovine (La République serbe de Bosnie)

2010-10-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

Flora of Republic of Srpska - protected kinds of Sutjeska Park／

Flora de la República de Srpska - clases protegidas de Parque de Sutjeska

0.70 BAM：Trollius Europaeus
0.70 BAM：Pancicia Serbica
0.70 BAM：Edraianthus Sutjeska
0.70 BAM：alpine rose

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2010-10-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

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

Fukui Prefecture (福井県 Fukui-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Fukui.

Prehistory

The Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry, on the Sugiyama River within the city limits of Katsuyama, has yielded the Fukuiraptor kitadaniensis and Fukuisaurus tetoriensis as well as an unnamed dromaeosaurid and a new sauropod. It also shows the coexistence of pterosaurs and birds, in the forms of comingled tracks.

History

Fukui originally consisted of the old provinces of Wakasa and Echizen, before the prefecture was formed in 1871.
During the Edo period, the daimyō of the region was surnamed Matsudaira, and was a descendant of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Geography

The province faces the Sea of Japan, and has a western part (formerly Wakasa) which is a narrow plain between the mountains and the sea, and a larger eastern part (formerly Echizen) with wider plains including the capital and most of the population. The mountain side of the eastern part has much snow in winter.

※Fukui is home to Maruoka Castle, the second oldest standing castle in Japan after Inuyama Castle. It was built in 1576.
※Eiheiji is a serene temple offering training and education to Buddhist monks. Founded by Dogen Zenji in 1244, Eiheiji is located on a plot of land of about 330,000 m².
※Many dinosaur fossils have been excavated in Fukui and they can been seen at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum.
※Residents of Fukui Prefecture have a distinctive accent, Fukui-ben.
※Fukui has long been a center for papermaking in Japan (along with Kyoto). Its Echizen Papermaking Cooperative is a world-famous collection of papermakers making paper in the traditional Echizen style.

FDC from Latvia／FDC de la Lettonie

2010-09-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

20th Anniversary of Declaration of May 4th, 1990／

Le 20ème Anniversaire de Déclaration du 4 mai 1990

In the second half of 1980s Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev started to introduce political and economic reforms in the Soviet Union, called glasnost and Perestroika. In the summer of 1987 the first large demonstrations were held in Riga at the Freedom Monument- a symbol of independence. In the summer of 1988 a national movement, coalescing in the Popular Front of Latvia, was opposed by the Interfront. The Latvian SSR, along with the other Baltic Republics was allowed greater autonomy, and in 1988 the old pre-war Flag of Latvia was allowed to be used, replacing the Soviet Latvian flag as the official flag in 1990.

In 1989, the Supreme Soviet of the USSR adopted a resolution on the "Occupation of the Baltic states", in which it declared that the occupation was "not in accordance with law," and not the "will of the Soviet people". Pro-independence Popular Front of Latvia candidates gained a two-thirds majority in the Supreme Council in the March 1990 democratic elections. On May 4, 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian SSR adopted the Declaration On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia, Latvian SSR was renamed Republic of Latvia.

However, the central power in Moscow continued to regard Latvia as Soviet republic in 1990–1991. In January 1991, Soviet political and military forces tried unsuccessfully to overthrow the Republic of Latvia authorities by occupying the central publishing house in Riga and establishing a Committee of National Salvation to usurp governmental functions. During the transitional period Moscow maintained many central Soviet state authorities in Latvia.
Barricade in Riga to prevent the Soviet Army from reaching the Latvian Parliament, July 1991.

In spite of this, seventy-three percent of all Latvian residents confirmed their strong support for independence on March 3, 1991, in a nonbinding advisory referendum. A large number of ethnic Russians also voted for the proposition. The Popular Front of Latvia had advocated that all permanent residents be eligible for Latvian citizenship. However, universal citizenship for all permanent residents was not adopted subsequently; not all those who had voted in support of independence received citizenship in the new Latvian state and became non-citizens. (The majority of non-citizens have since become naturalized citizens.) The Republic of Latvia declared the end of the transitional period and restored full independence on August 21, 1991 in the aftermath of the failed Soviet coup attempt.

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2010-09-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

Anime － Chibi Maruko-chan

Chibi Maruko-chan (ちびまる子ちゃん) is a shōjo manga series by Momoko Sakura, later adapted into an anime TV series by Nippon Animation, which originally aired on Fuji Television from January 7, 1990 to September 27, 1992. The series depicts the simple, everyday life of a little girl nicknamed Maruko and her family in suburban mid-seventies Japan. The series is set in the former city of Shimizu, now part of Shizuoka City, birthplace of its author.

The first story under the title "Chibi Maruko-chan" was published in the August 1986 edition of the shōjo manga magazine Ribon. Other semi-autobiographical stories by the author had appeared in Ribon and Ribon Original in 1984 and 1985, and were included in the first "Chibi Maruko-chan" tankōbon in 1987. The author first began writing and submitting strips in her final year of senior high school, although Shueisha (the publisher of Ribon and Ribon Original) did not decide to run them until over a year later. The author's intent was to write "essays in manga form". Many stories are inspired by incidents from the author's own life, and some characters are based on her family and friends. The nostalgic, honest and thoughtful tone of the strip led to its becoming popular among a wider audience.

The Chibi Maruko-chan series has spawned numerous games, animated films and merchandising, as well as a second TV series running from 1995 to the present. Maruko's style and themes are sometimes compared to the classic comic Sazae-san. In 1989, the manga tied to receive the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo. As of 2006, the collected volumes of the manga had sold more than 31 million copies in Japan, making it the fifth best-selling shōjo manga ever.

FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

2010-09-18T01:46:00.000-07:00

Fishing Cat／Chat viverrin

The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized cat. Its fur has an olive-grey color with dark spots arranged stripe-like running along the length of the body. The face has a distinctly flat-nosed appearance. The size varies between locations. They are stocky of build with medium short legs, and a short muscular tail of one half to one third of the length of the rest of the animal. As the name implies, fish is the main prey of this cat, of which it hunts about 10 different species. It also hunts other aquatic animals such as frogs or crayfish, and terrestrial animals such as rodents and birds.

Like its closest relative, the Leopard Cat, the Fishing Cat lives along rivers, streams and mangrove swamps. It is well adapted to this habitat, being an eager and skilled swimmer.

Fishing Cat is a rare animal listed in the Vietnam Red Book. The International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN lists the Fishing Cat as a species vulnerable to extinction. In Vietnam, they are found in Cao B»ng, Kh¸nh Hßa, Kiªn Giang provinces and Hå ChÝ Minh City.

FDC from North Korea／FDC de la Corée du Nord

2010-09-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

Monumental Edifices／Édifices Monumentaux

Many monumental buildings which are embodied with people-orienied character and are perfect in architectural point of view sprouted in the DPRK under the wise leadership of Leader Kim Jong Il, the genius of creation and construction, thus actively contributing to the improvement of material and cultural well-being of the people.
The stamp show the Okryu Restaurant, Taedongmun Cinema, Chongryu Restaurant, the Electronic library of Kim Chaek Univ. of Technology and Pyongyang Grand Theatre, all of which underwent the thorough refreshing of appearance as the monumental buildings in Songun area.

FDC from Russia／FDC de la russie

2010-08-29T02:19:00.000-07:00

The Solovetsky Islands／Îles Solovki

The Solovetsky Islands (Russian: Солове́цкие острова́, Соловки́) are located in the Onega Bay of the White Sea, Russia. The islands are administrated from Arkhangelsk as Solovetsky District and are served by the Solovki Airport. Area: 347 km². Population: 968 (2002 Census); 1,317 (1989 Census).

Geography

This archipelago consists of six islands known collectively as the Solovki:

    Bolshoy Solovetsky Island – 246 km².
    Anzersky Island (Anzer) – 47 km².
    Bolshaya Muksalma – 17 km².
    Malaya Muksalma – 0,57 km².
    Bolshoy Zayatsky – 1,25 km².
    Maly Zayatsky – 1,02 km².

The shores of the islands are very indented. They are formed of granites and gneiss. The relief of the islands is hilly (the highest point is 107 m). Most of the Solovetsky Islands are covered with Scots Pine and Norway Spruce forests, which are partially swampy. There are numerous lakes, which were joined by monks so as to form a network of canals.

One interesting feature of these islands is stone labyrinths and other stone settings, especially the Stone labyrinths of Bolshoi Zayatsky Island. Such labyrinths were typical for Northern Europe, but most have perished and now Solovetsky Islands have some of the best remaining examples.

Monastery

Historically the islands have been the setting of the famous Russian Orthodox Solovetsky Monastery complex. It was founded in the second quarter of the 15th century by two monks from the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery. By the end of the 16th century, the abbey had emerged as one of the wealthiest landowners and most influential religious centres in Russia.

The existing stronghold and its major churches were erected in stone during the early reign of Ivan the Terrible at the behest of St. Philip of Moscow. At the onset of the Schism of the Russian Church, the monks staunchly stuck to the faith of their fathers and expelled the tsar's representatives from the Solovki, precipitating the eight-year-long siege of the islands by the forces of Tsar Alexis.
"Bombardment of the Solovetsky Monastery by the Royal Navy during the Crimean War". A lubok (popular print) from 1868.

Throughout the imperial period of Russian history, the monastery was renowned as a strong fortress which repelled foreign attacks during the Livonian War (16th century), Time of Troubles (17th century), the Crimean War (19th century), and the Russian Civil War (20th century).

Labor camp

After the October Revolution, the islands attained some notoriety as the site of the first Soviet prison camp. The camp was inaugurated as a "detention camp" in 1921, while Lenin was still at the helm of Soviet Russia. It was transformed into a prison in 1929 and was closed ten years later, on the eve of the World War II. The Soviet government realised the islands' strategic importance, and by the beginning of the war, there was a naval base of the Soviet Northern Fleet.

In 1974, the Solovetsky Islands were designated a historical and architectural museum and a natural reserve of the USSR. In 1992, they were inscribed on the World Heritage List "as an outstanding example of a monastic settlement in the inhospitable environment of northern Europe which admirably illustrates the faith, tenacity, and enterprise of later medieval religious communities".Today, the Solovki are seen as a major tourist magnet in the orbit of the Russian North. One can get to the islands either by ship from Kem or by plane from Arkhangelsk.

Les Îles Solovetski (en russe : Солове́цкие острова́), connues également sous les noms de Solovki ou Solovetsk, forment un archipel au nord-ouest de la Russie dans la mer Blanche. Situées dans la baie d'Onega, les îles sont administrées par l'oblast d'Arkhangelsk. Leur superficie totale est de 347 km2 pour une population de 968 habitants en 2002. L'archipel comprend six îles dont les plus grandes sont Solovetski, Anzerski, Bolchaïa Mouksalma et Malaïa Mouksalma). Il est célèbre pour le monastère de Solovetski du XVe siècle et son ancien camp de travail soviétique, précurseur de l'organisation du Goulag. En 1974, les îles devinrent une réserve naturelle protégée : l'archipel, son patrimoine architectural comme son histoire qui en fait un lieu de mémoire privilégié de la Terreur stalinienne, furent l'un des premiers sites russes à être inscrits sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO en 1992.

FDC from North Korea／FDC de la Corée du Nord

2010-08-25T17:10:00.000-07:00

Eternal Sun of Juche／Sol eterno de Juche

12 KPW: Water color painting "The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung drawing the brush into our party's emblem.
50 KPW: Oil painting "First military flag"
70 KPW: Oil painting "Birth"
140 KPW: Korean painting "Every field with bumper harvest"

FDC from North Korea／FDC de la Corée du Nord

2010-08-22T01:55:00.000-07:00

70th anniversary of Victory in the battle in Musan Area／

Le 70ème anniversaire de Victoire dans la bataille dans la Région Musan

FDC from Russia／FDC de la russie

2010-08-13T19:09:00.000-07:00

50th Anniversary of Ice-breaker’s Fleet of Russia／
Le 50ème Anniversaire de la Flotte de Brise-glace de la Russie

7 RUR: Ice-breaker "Lenin".
8 RUR: Ice-breaker "Taimyr".
9 RUR: Ice-breaker "Yamal".
10 RUR: Ice-breaker "50 Let Pobedy".

NS Lenin is a Soviet icebreaker launched in 1957, and is both the world's first nuclear powered surface ship and the first nuclear powered civilian vessel. Lenin was put into operation in 1959 and officially decommissioned in 1989.
In the later configuration (two nuclear reactors), the reactors provided steam for four Kirov turbines. These were connected to generators, which powered three sets of electric motors to drive the ship's three propellers.
When launched in 1957, Lenin was powered by three OK-150 reactors.
In February 1965, there was a loss of coolant accident. After being shut down for refueling, the coolant was removed from the number two reactor before the spent fuel had been removed. As a result, some of the fuel elements melted or deformed inside the reactor. This was discovered when the spent elements were being unloaded for storage and disposal. 124 fuel assemblies (about 60% of the total) were stuck in the reactor core. It was decided to remove the fuel, control grid, and control rods as a unit for disposal; they were placed in a special cask, solidified, stored for two years, and dumped in Tsivolki Bay (near the Novaya Zemlya archipelago) in 1967.
Monument of the icebreaker "Lenin" in memorial to Conquerors of the Arctic in Murmansk
The second accident was a cooling system leak which occurred in 1967, shortly after refueling. Finding the leak required breaking through the concrete and metal biological shield with sledgehammers. Once the leak was found, it became apparent that the sledgehammer damage could not be repaired; subsequently, all three reactors were removed, and replaced by two OK-900 reactors. This was completed in the Spring of 1970.
Details of these accidents were not widely available until after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Taymyr (sometimes spelled Taimyr) is a shallow-draft nuclear powered icebreaker, and the first of four similar vessels. She was built in 1989 for the Soviet Union in Helsinki, at the Finnish shipyard Wärtsilä, by order of the Murmansk Shipping Co.
The Taymyr was delivered to Russia for the installation of the reactor system. It has a nuclear-turbo-electric reactor giving up to 50,000 hp. This shallow-draft icebreaker is used mainly for clearing rivers, including their mouths and estuaries of ice and opening channels in order to make winter navigation possible.
This icebreaker and its sister ship Vaygach belong to a type known as Taymyr-class River Icebreakers.
The Call sign of Taymyr is UEMM.

The NS Yamal (Russian: Яма́л) is a Russian Arktika class nuclear powered icebreaker operated by the Murmansk Shipping Company. It is named after the Yamal Peninsula in Northwest Siberia; the name means End of the Land in Nenets.
Laid down in Leningrad in 1986, and launched in October 1992, after the end of communism in Russia, she never filled her designed role of keeping shipping lanes open. She has always carried passengers on arctic excursions. Yamal took an excursion to the North Pole to celebrate the Millennium. Yamal is the 12th surface ship ever to reach the north pole.[citation needed]
The Yamal is equipped with a double hull. The outer hull is 48 mm thick where ice is met and 25 mm elsewhere and has a polymer coating to reduce friction. There is water ballast between the inner and outer hulls which can be shifted in order to aid icebreaking. Icebreaking is also assisted by an air bubbling system which can deliver 24 m³/s of air from jets 9 m below the surface. The Yamal can break ice while making way either forwards or backwards.
Yamal is one of the Russian "Arctic" family of icebreakers, the most powerful icebreakers in the world. These ships must cruise in cold water to cool their reactors, so they cannot pass through the tropics to undertake voyages in the Southern hemisphere.[1]
Yamal carries one helicopter and several Zodiac boats. Radio and satellite communications systems are installed which can provide navigation, telephone, fax, and email services. Amenities include a large dining room (capable of holding all 100 passengers in one sitting), a library, passenger lounge, auditorium, volleyball court, gymnasium, heated indoor swimming pool, a sauna, and an infirmary. She is equipped with 50 passenger cabins and suites, all with toilets, exterior windows, a television, and a desk.

NS 50 Let Pobedy (Russian: 50 лет Победы), translated as 50 Years of Victory or Fiftieth Anniversary of Victory, is a Russian Arktika class nuclear powered icebreaker, the largest in the world as of 2007.
Construction on project no. 10521 started on October 4, 1989 at the Baltic Works in Leningrad (currently Saint Petersburg), USSR. Originally the ship was named NS Ural. Work was halted in 1994 for lack of funds, so that the actual fiftieth anniversary of Victory Day, in 1995, found the ship in an abandoned state. Construction was restarted in 2003.
On 30 November 2004, a fire broke out on the ship. All workers aboard the vessel had to be evacuated while the fire crews battled the fire for some 20 hours before getting it under control; one worker was sent to the hospital. There was no threat of radioactive contamination as the nuclear reactor did not yet have fuel inside.
She was finally completed in the beginning of 2007, after the 60th Anniversary. The icebreaker sailed into the Gulf of Finland for two weeks of sea trials on February 1, 2007.
Upon completing sea trials, the icebreaker returned to St-Petersburg Baltic shipyard and started preparations for her maiden voyage to Murmansk. The new ship showed superior characteristics for an icebreaker, such as exceptional maneuverability and a top speed of 21.4 knots (39.6 km/h).
She arrived at her homeport Murmansk on April 11, 2007.
The icebreaker is an upgrade of the Arktika-class, the most powerful icebreakers ever built. The 159.60 m (524 ft) long and 20.0 m (66 ft) wide vessel, with a displacement of 25840 metric tons, is designed to break through ice up to 2.8 meters thick. She has a 140-man crew.
50 Years Since Victory is also an experimental project; for the first time in history of the Russian icebreakers it used a spoon-shaped bow. As predicted by the ship's designers, such a shape increases the efficiency of the ship's efforts in breaking the ice. The icebreaker is equipped with an all-new digital automated control system. The biological shielding complex was heavily modernized and re-certified by the State Commission. A new ecological compartment was created.
The ship has an athletic/exercise facility, a swimming pool, a library, a restaurant, a massage facility, and a music salon at the crew's disposal.
A group of eclipse chasers has used the vessel to observe the eclipse of August 1, 2008. They departed from Murmansk on July 21, 2008 and reached the North Pole on July 25, 2008, which sets a speed record for the ship (the trip lasted 4 days instead of 7).

(JAPAN) New Issue／Les nouveautés: The 100th anniversary aviation in Japan／Le 100e anniversaire de l'aviation au Japon

2010-08-08T22:23:00.000-07:00

Issue date: 21.09.2010

(1)	(3)	(5)	(7)	(9)
(2)	(4)	(6)	(8)	(10)

(1) Farman III
(2) Grade II Libelle
(3) Gasuden Koken
(4) YS-11
(5) NAL Asuka
(6) Kawasaki T-4
(7) Boeing 747-400
(8) ShinMaywa US-2
(9) Mitsubishi Regional Jet
(10) HSTP

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2010-07-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

The 60th Anniversary of Enforcement of the Local Autonomy Law - Gifu Prefecture／

Le 60ème Anniversaire de Mise en vigueur de la Loi d'Autonomie Locale - la Préfecture de Gifu

Gifu Prefecture (岐阜県, Gifu-ken) is a prefecture located in the Chūbu region of central Japan. Its capital is the city of Gifu. Located in the center of Japan, it has long played an important part as the crossroads of Japan, connecting the east to the west through such routes as the Nakasendō. During the Sengoku period, many people referred to Gifu by saying, "control Gifu and you control Japan."

The land area that makes up modern-day Gifu became part of the Yamato Court around the middle of the fourth century. Because it is in the middle of the island of Honshū, it has been the site of many decisive battles throughout Japan's history, the oldest major one being the Jinshin War in 672, which led to the establishment of Emperor Temmu as the 40th emperor of Japan.

The land area of Gifu Prefecture consists of the old provinces of Hida and Mino, as well as smaller parts of Echizen and Shinano. The name of the prefecture derives from its capital city, Gifu, which was named by Oda Nobunaga during his campaign to unify all of Japan in 1567.The first character used comes from Qishan (岐山), a legendary mountain from which most of China was unified, whereas the second character comes from Qufu (曲阜), the birthplace of Confucius. Nobunaga chose those characters because he wanted to unify all of Japan and he wanted to be viewed as a great mind.

Historically, the prefecture served as the center of swordmaking in all of Japan, with Seki being known for making the best swords in Japan. More recently, its strengths have been in fashion (primarily in the city of Gifu) and aerospace engineering (Kakamigahara).

On October 28, 1891, the present-day city of Motosu was the epicenter for the Mino-Owari Earthquake, the largest earthquake to ever hit Japan. The earthquake, estimated at 8.0 earthquake, left a huge cleft in the ground that can still be seen today.

Gifu (岐阜県, Gifuken) est une préfecture du Japon, située au centre de l'île de Honshu. Le nom Gifu tire son origine d'un mont chinois et a été choisi par Oda Nobunaga qui y construisit son château.

À l'époque féodale, le territoire actuel de la préfecture correspondait à la province de Mino (美濃) pour sa partie sud et celle de Hida pour sa partie nord.

Hida, province montagneuse, était « la principale des provinces à l'est », protégée également par Fuwa no seki (不破関) construit au mont Ibuki.

Sur le territoire de Mino se trouvait le plus élevé des châteaux à Iwamura, à plus de 700 mètres d'altitude. Il surplombait le brouillard qui règne sur les environs, mais est rasé au début de l'ère Meiji pour effacer les traces de l'ancien régime. La province de Mino est également connue pour sa production d'agar-agar (une gélatine fabriquée à partir d'algues).

Pendant la période Sengoku, Saito Dosan et Oda Nobunaga ont régné. Durant la période Edo, le shogun régnait directement.

En 1600 le combat de Sekigahara s'y déroula.

FDC from Russia／FDC de la russie

2010-07-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

Battle of Poltava／Bataille de Poltava

Battle of Poltava: The turning point in the Northern War (1700–21) between Sweden and Russia. When Hetman Ivan Mazepa learned that Tsar Peter I intended to abolish the autonomy of the Hetman state, he began secret negotiations with Charles XII of Sweden to ensure that Ukraine would not be annexed by Poland in the event of a Swedish victory. After the main Swedish army entered Ukraine, Mazepa openly sided with Charles against Peter. The entire matter was complicated by the fact that the Swedish force that was to have marched directly on Moscow had unexpectedly turned south toward Ukraine before reaching Smolensk. Mazepa was left in an awkward position, but tried to accommodate the Swedes as well as he could.

Because of the harsh winter of 1708–1709 and a series of military defeats the situation of the Swedish army in Ukraine became precarious. The assistance Charles XII expected from Turkey and the Crimean Khanate did not materialize, and the Polish army of King Stanislaus I Leszczyński and a Swedish corps were forced to remain in Poland to fight the supporters of Frederick Augustus II. Charles's only success at that time was enlisting the support of Otaman Kost Hordiienko and his army of 8,000 Zaporozhian Cossacks in April 1709. Semiencircled by the Russians, Charles chose not to retreat to Volhynia (as his generals counseled) but to advance to the Vorskla River and thence on to Moscow via Kharkiv and Kursk. Several fortified cities on the way encumbered Charles's advance. One such city was Poltava, situated at the intersection of important routes to Southern Ukraine, Right-Bank Ukraine, and Slobidska Ukraine and the Don region. It was defended by a garrison of 4,300 Russian soldiers and 2,600 Ukrainian volunteers commanded by Gen Aleksei Kelin.

In early May 1709, on Ivan Mazepa's advice, Charles XII decided to capture Poltava. Having failed to take it by storm, he besieged and bombarded the hungry city. Peter I arrived to relieve Poltava and decided his army of 42,500 soldiers and 102 cannons would attack the Swedes on 10 July. Cossack forces loyal to Peter under the command of Hetman Ivan Skoropadsky cut off possible Swedish retreat to the Dnieper River between Pereiaslav and Kremenchuk. Charles had 31,000 men but only 4 cannons; 6,000 of his soldiers were engaged in maintaining the siege or guarding the Vorskla River rear. Mazepa's small force was held in reserve to protect the Swedish western flank and ensure that Kelin would not attack from the fortress.

When Charles XII learned, during the night of 7 July, that a Kalmyk army of 40,000 would arrive to reinforce the Russians in two days, he decided to act first and destroy the Russian encampment in a lightning blow. At 5 AM on 8 July the Swedish infantry advanced on Russian positions but was repelled by cavalry. The Swedish cavalry successfully engaged its counterpart but was forced to retreat under heavy fire. The Swedish infantry attacked once more and captured two Russian redoubts, but failed to hold them. As the Swedes attempted to bypass the redoubts, Prince Aleksandr Menshikov's troops encircled them and inflicted heavy casualties. Fifty to seventy meters from Russian positions the Swedes met a hail of deadly artillery fire. Panic ensued in their ranks, but they managed to retreat into the nearby Budyshcha forest, where Charles was able, with considerable difficulty, to restore order.

At around 9 AM, having regrouped their forces, both Peter I and Charles XII ordered their troops to advance. Intense Russian artillery fire again created chaos in the Swedish ranks, their center buckled, and a disorderly retreat ensued to the Swedish encampment, which by then had been captured by Russian forces. By 11 AM the Swedes had been routed. Over 9,300 died, and nearly 2,900 were taken prisoner, including Field Marshal C.-G. Rehnskjold and the first minister, C. Piper. The Russian army suffered 1,345 dead and 3,290 wounded. Swedish units that were not captured were led by Gen A.L. Lewenhaupt along the Vorskla River to Perevolochna, whence Charles, Ivan Mazepa, and Kost Hordiienko and a contingent of 3,000 Swedes and Cossacks crossed the Dnieper River and fled into Turkish-occupied territory. A.L. Lewenhaupt's army of 16,000 was forced to capitulate and surrender to Menshikov. According to the fifth provision of the capitulation agreement Cossacks under Swedish command were handed over to the Russians. Most of them were executed on the spot, and the rest were exiled to Siberia.

The Battle of Poltava resulted in Russian military rule in the Hetman state and increasing curtailment of its autonomy. The Museum of the History of the Battle of Poltava, which very much lauded Peter’s triumph, was opened at the battle site in 1950.

FDC from Russia／FDC de la russie

2010-07-17T21:17:00.000-07:00

65th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War／

Le 65ème Anniversaire de Victoire dans la Grande guerre Patriote

The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of war between the European Axis powers, Germany, Romania, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Croatia, Finland (not an Axis member) and the Soviet Union which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945. It was known by many different names depending on the nation, notably the Great Patriotic War (Russian: Великая Отечественная Война) in USSR, the Eastern Front (German: die Ostfront), the Eastern Campaign (German: der Ostfeldzug) or the Russian Campaign (German: der Rußlandfeldzug) in Germany.

The battles on the "Eastern Front" constituted the largest military confrontation in history. They were characterised by unprecedented ferocity, wholesale destruction, mass deportations, and immense loss of life variously due to combat, starvation, disease, and massacres. The Eastern Front, as the site of nearly all extermination camps, death marches, ghettos, and the majority of pogroms, was central to the Holocaust. Various figures average a total number of 70,000,000 dead because of World War II; with over 30 million dead, many of them civilians, the Eastern Front represents almost half of this total, and has been called a war of extermination. The Eastern Front was decisive in determining the outcome of World War II, eventually serving as the main reason for Germany's defeat. It resulted in the destruction of the Third Reich, the partition of Germany and the rise of the Soviet Union as a military and industrial superpower.

The two principal belligerent powers were Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The Soviet-Finnish Continuation War may be considered the northern flank of the Eastern Front. In addition, the joint German-Finnish operations across the northernmost Finnish-Soviet border and in the Murmansk region are also considered part of the Eastern Front.

Le terme de Front de l’Est (aussi appelé le Front russe) désigne le théâtre d'opérations en Europe de l'Est pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. De juin 1941 à mai 1945, l'Allemagne nazie et l'Union soviétique, les deux principales nations belligérantes, se livrèrent à une guerre totale prenant place d'abord en Union soviétique, puis dans les pays occupés par les forces de l'Axe.

Il s'agit du plus grand théâtre d'opérations de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Le Front de l'Est fut le lieu de la guerre la plus féroce, d'énormes destructions et déportations de masse, et résulta en de gigantesques pertes militaires et civiles par suite de la guerre elle-même, de famine, de maladie, de conditions météorologiques extrêmes, et de massacres. Les pertes civiles et militaires sur le Front de l'Est sont estimées à environ 30 millions de personnes, soit environ la moitié des dégâts infligés tout au long de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Ce conflit fut sans doute le plus déterminant dans la chute du Troisième Reich. Il eut comme conséquences la destruction de l'Allemagne comme puissance militaire, l'accession de l'Union soviétique au rang de superpuissance, la constitution du bloc soviétique en Europe de l’Est (derrière le rideau de fer) et la division de l'Allemagne.

Les Soviétiques et maintenant les Russes appellent ce conflit la Grande Guerre patriotique, par allusion à la « Guerre patriotique » de 1812 contre Napoléon Ier. Les Allemands nomment le conflit "Ostfront", ce qui se traduit par "Front de l'Est". Les Finlandais, qui combattirent aux côtés des Allemands, nomment la partie des combats qui se déroula sur leur territoire entre 1941 et 1944 guerre de Continuation, car elle prolongeait la guerre d'Hiver de 1939-1940.

Le 9 mai, jour de la reddition allemande pour le fuseau horaire de Moscou, est une fête nationale en Russie et dans certaines des anciennes républiques soviétiques (День Победы, littéralement le jour de la victoire).

Le Front de l'Est fit sa jonction avec le Front de l'Ouest en Allemagne et en Tchécoslovaquie en 1945.

FDC from Bulgaria／FDC de la Bulgarie

2010-07-16T10:20:00.000-07:00

EUROPA-Children's books／

EUROPA-Livres pour enfants

FDC from South Korea／FDC de la Corée du Sud

2010-07-13T10:14:00.000-07:00

2010 FIFA World Cup／

Coupe du monde de football de 2010

FDC from Bulgaria／FDC de la Bulgarie

2010-07-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

2010 FIFA World Cup／

Coupe du monde de football de 2010

maximum card from Japan／cartes-maximum du Japon

2010-07-09T21:05:00.000-07:00

Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist

New Issue:Lighthouses Postage Stamps (Issue of 2010)／Les nouveautés:Les Timbres de Phares (l'Édition de 2010)

2010-07-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

Date of issue: July 28, 2010

Chunghwa Post first issued a set of stamps on lighthouses in 1989, and now it is following up with another set of four stamps on the topic, featuring the following lighthouses:

1. The Chilung Tao Lighthouse (NT$5): The lighthouse is located at the highest point on Chilung Tao, off Keelung Harbor. Built in 1980, this octagon-shaped concrete tower, with a black-and-white vertical-striped daymark, uses air batteries for electricity. In 1998, the lighthouse switched to solar power. In 2006, wind power was added as a secondary power source. The lighthouse has a nominal range of 13.8 nautical miles.

2. The Wenkan Tui Lighthouse (NT$5): Built in 1914, this skeletal steel frame light tower is located on Waisanding Sandbar off Kouhu Township, Yunlin County. In 1974, due to sandbar shift, the lighthouse was rebuilt and placed in a new location nearby. The new structure is a square tapered steel frame tower, using a fourth-order AC light. In 2006, because of sandbar shift, the lighthouse was moved once again to present location, and a radar beacon pole was added. The lighthouse has a nominal range of 13.1 nautical miles.

3. The Paisha Chia Lighthouse (NT$10): Built in 1901, this round brick light tower is located in Guanyin Township, Taoyuan County. In 1956, the lighthouse was equipped with a third-order revolving lens light, producing one flash every 20 seconds, alternating between white and red lights. The white and red lights have a luminous intensity of one million and 310,000 candlepower respectively. In 2002 the Taoyuan County Government designated the lighthouse as a county monument. The nominal range of the red light is 22.6 nautical miles, and the range of the white light is 25.7 nautical miles.

4. The Liuchiu Yu Lighthouse (NT$25): Built in 1929, this round light tower is located at the highest point on the south-east coast of Liuchiu Yu off Pingtung County. In 1952, the lighthouse was equipped with a fifth-order acetylene flashing light. In 1980, the light was replaced by an AC light, which has a luminous intensity of 10,000 candlepower. The lighthouse has a nominal range of 14.3 nautical miles.

New Issue: Chinese Classic Novel “Journey to the West” Postage Stamps (Issue of 2010)／Les nouveautés:Le Roman Classique chinois “Le Voyage en Occident” les Timbres (l'Édition de 2010)

2010-06-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

Date of Issue: July 7, 2010

In order to present the beauty of Chinese classic literature, Chunghwa Post is following up with a new set of four stamps on Chinese classic novel “Journey to the Wes,t” “Complete Enlightenment,” “Sun Wukong Wreaks Havoc in Heaven,” “Dreaming of Beheading the Jing River Dragon King,” and “Stealing the Ginseng Fruits.” The designs follow:

1. Complete Enlightenment (NT$ 5): The monkey king of Mt. Huaguo in the Water Curtain Cave, desiring immortality, made off to the Three Star Cave to study under the Buddhist Patriarch Subodhi, who gave him the name Sun Wukong, and from whom he learned secrets of magic. Later, because Sun would recklessly show off his magic, Subodhi renounced
him as a student. Furthermore, Subodhi gave him a pointer: “Whence one comes, one returns.”

2. Sun Wukong Wreaks Havoc in Heaven (NT$5): The Jade Emperor conveyed on Sun Wukong the title “Great Sage Equal of Heaven,” and sent him off to administer the garden of Queen Mother of the West’s peaches of immortality. Sun stole and ate some peaches, pills of immortality and wine prepared for Heaven’s Peach Festival. The Jade Emperor dispatched his forces to capture him and the monkey was imprisoned in Mt. Wuhang by Tathagata.

3. Dreaming of Beheading the Jing River Dragon King (NT$12): The Jing River Dragon King disobeyed the Jade Emperor’s directive to create rain. Consequently, the emperor sent Wei Zheng to behead the Dragon King, and the Dragon King appeared in Emperor Tang Taizong’s dream to ask for help. To divert Wei Zheng’s attention, Emperor Tang Taizong invited him to his palace to discuss affairs of state and then play chess. During the game Wei Zheng dozed off, at which time his spirit left his body to behead the dragon.

4. Stealing the Ginseng Fruits (NT$25): The Ginseng fruit was a great treasure of Longevity Mountain. After Sun Wukong and Pigsy were scolded for secretly eating Ginseng fruits, Sun Wukong destroyed the orchard in a fit of pique. Eventually the dew drops of the Goddess of Mercy saved the Ginseng fruit trees.

FDC from Myanmar(Burma)／FDC du Myanmar(Birmanie)

2010-06-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

60th anniversary of People's Republic of China-Myanmar Union diplomatic relationship／

60e anniversaire de la République populaire de Chine-Union du Myanmar relations diplomatiques

FDC from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska)／FDC de la Bosnie-Herzégovine (La République serbe de Bosnie)

2010-06-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

2010 FIFA World Cup／

Coupe du monde de football de 2010

FDC from North Korea／FDC de la Corée du Nord

2010-06-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

2010 FIFA World Cup／

Coupe du monde de football de 2010

The 2010 FIFA World Cup is the 19th FIFA World Cup, the premier international association football tournament. It is being held in South Africa, beginning on 11 June and scheduled to conclude on 11 July 2010. The tournament is the culmination of a qualification process that began in August 2007 and involved 204 of the 208 FIFA national teams. As such, it matches the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations.

This is the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa was selected over Morocco and Egypt in an all-African bidding process. Italy is the defending champion, having won the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The draw for the finals took place on 4 December 2009 in Cape Town, South Africa.

La Coupe du monde de football de 2010 est la dix-neuvième édition de la Coupe du monde de football et se déroule du 11 juin au 11 juillet 2010 en Afrique du Sud. Il s'agit de la première phase finale de Coupe du monde se disputant sur le sol africain. Le pays organisateur a été choisi en mai 2004.

D'août 2007 à novembre 2009, les sélections nationales de 203 pays participent à une phase de qualification, dans le but de désigner les 31 équipes disputant le tournoi final en compagnie de l'Afrique du Sud, qualifiée d'office en tant que pays organisateur.

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2010-06-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Anime: Fullmetal Alchemist

Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師, Hagane no Renkinjutsushi, literally "Alchemist of Steel"), is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Hiromu Arakawa. The world of Fullmetal Alchemist is styled after the European Industrial Revolution. Set in a fictional universe in which alchemy is one of the most advanced scientific techniques known to man, the story follows the brothers Edward and Alphonse Elric, who want to restore their bodies after a disastrous failed attempt to bring their mother back to life through alchemy.

The manga was serialized in Square Enix's Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine (starting August 2001 and ending June 2010) and currently has 25 tankōbon volumes. It was adapted into an animated television series of 51 episodes by Bones from October 4, 2003 to October 2, 2004, later followed by a film sequel that concluded the story of the anime. Fullmetal Alchemist would later spawn a second series called Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, which first premiered in Japan on April 5, 2009. A multitude of spin-off novels, original video animations (OVAs), drama CDs, soundtracks, and video games have been adapted from the series. A collectible card game, multiple supplementary books, and a variety of action figures and other merchandise based on the characters of the series have also been released.

The manga has been licensed by Viz Media for publication in the United States, with twenty-two bound volumes released currently. Although there are no major differences with the Japanese version, some pages have been edited to avoid minor references to western theology. Funimation Entertainment has dubbed the anime episodes in the United States and Canada, and has also released them in all English-speaking DVD regions. The English version of the film premiered in a limited number of U.S. theaters on August 25, 2006 and was later released on DVD. Funimation and Destineer have also been releasing the video games from the series.

In Japan, the Fullmetal Alchemist manga has enjoyed exceptional sales of 40 million volumes sold as of 2009. The English release of the manga's first volume was the top-selling graphic novel during the year 2005. In two TV Asahi web polls, the anime was voted #1 most popular anime of all time in Japan. It was nominated in six of the eight categories for which it was eligible at the American Anime Awards in February 2007, winning awards in five of them. Reviewers from several media generally had positive comments on the series.

Fullmetal Alchemist (鋼の錬金術師, Hagane no renkinjutsushi?, litt. « l'alchimiste d'acier », abrégé en hagaren), est un manga d'Hiromu Arakawa adapté en série d'animation et diffusé au Japon entre 2003 et 2004, un film sorti en 2005, des OAV sortis en 2006 ainsi que plusieurs jeux vidéo.

Depuis le 5 avril 2009, est diffusée une nouvelle adaptation intitulée Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood et reprenant la trame du manga de manière plus fidèle.

Le manga est publié au Japon tous les mois dans le magazine Shōnen Gangan chapitre par chapitre ensuite réunis (généralement par 4) dans des volumes reliés et cela depuis 2001. La série, désormais achevée, est composée de 108 chapitres. Le dernier, clôturant le manga, est paru le 10 juin 2010.

En France, la série est arrivée fin 2005 et seuls les volumes reliés sont publiés par Kurokawa. Actuellement, il est sorti 23 volumes (au 8 avril 2010) et le tome 24 est prévu pour septembre 2010. Au Japon, le tome 25 est sorti le 22 avril 2010 et la date de sortie du dernier volume n'est pas encore connue.

FDC from North Korea／FDC de la Corée du Nord

2010-06-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Insects／Les insectes

50 won stamp: Vespa mandarinia
The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia), including the subspecies Japanese giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia Japonica), colloquially known as the yak-killer hornet, is the world's largest hornet, native to temperate and tropical Eastern Asia. Its body length is approximately 50 mm (2 in), with a wingspan of about 76 mm (3 in).

90 won stamp: Cicindela japonica
Cicindela japonica, commonly known as the Japanese tiger beetle, is a species of ground beetles native to Asia.

120 won stamp: Locusta migratoria
The migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) is the most widespread locust species. It occurs throughout Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. It used to be common in Europe but has now become rare there. Because of the vast geographic area it occupies, which comprises many different ecological zones, numerous subspecies have been described. However, not all experts agree on the validity of some of these subspecies. The main ones are:
* Locusta migratoria migratoria (West and Central Asia, eastern Europe)
* Locusta migratoria migratorioides (mainland Africa and Atlantic islands)
* Locusta migratoria capito (Madagascar)
* Locusta migratoria manilensis (eastern Asia)
Other common locusts are Schistocerca gregaria and Nomadacris septemfasciata.

140 won stamp: Aphaenogaster famelica
Total length of workers around 3.5 - 8 mm. Body color dark reddish brown, head and gaster blackish brown. Scapes, mesosoma and legs long. Pronotum varying from feebly punctate with opaque intervening surfaces, to distinctly punctate with shining intervening surfaces. Rugae are sometimes developed on the lateral pronotal surfaces of larger workers. Pronotal humeri not angulate. Mesonotum covered with rugae, its dorsum raised to a variable degree. Propodeal spines broad basally and acute apically, their dorsal outlines straight and ventral outlines concave in lateral view.

FDC from North Korea／FDC de la Corée du Nord

2010-06-13T03:45:00.000-07:00

National musical instruments／

Instruments de musique nationaux

The stamp were issued to show the Korean national musical instruments.

12 won stamp: Saenap
As a traditional wind instrument it has been widely used in the army and peasant music and dancing group from late Koryo.

80 won stamp: Drum
It is a national percussion instrument which has been widely used from olden times together with Janggo.
One can play it by striking in the right hand while laying it on the wooden frame or carrying it on the shoulder.

140 won stamp: Sogonghu
It has been used at a national stringed instrument from ancient times.

170 won stamp: Flute
It is a national wood-wind instrument.
It has been widely used in playing instrumental music including solo, ensemble since it has elegant and lonesome timbre.

New Issue: Taiwan Sculpture Postage Stamp／Les nouveautés: Timbre-poste de Taïwan Sculpture

2010-06-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

Taiwan Sculpture Postage Stamp／

Timbre-poste de Taïwan Sculpture

To introduce the beauty of Taiwan sculpture, Chunghwa Post will issue a souvenir sheet on “Water Buffaloes” by Huang Tu-shui. The souvenir sheet has a denomination of NT$25. To demonstrate the beauty of sculpture, it is also embossed while printing.

Huang Tu-shui (1895-1930) was Taiwan’s first contemporary sculptor and a pioneer in fusing western and traditional sculptural elements. “Water Buffaloes,” one of Huang’s masterpieces and his most representative work, is featured on this souvenir sheet. “Water Buffaloes” depicts a scene in a banana grove at the height of the summer: a refreshing breeze lightly sways the banana leaves as five water buffaloes mill about in a pasture. There are two naked shepherd boys: one on the back of a water buffalo, with a bamboo rod in hand and a bamboo hat on the tip of the rod, and another standing in front of the calf, caressing it with his hands. There is another boy, who is wearing a bamboo hat and sitting on the back of a buffalo. The air and posture of the boy touching the calf gives the work a sense of peace and stability, and the intermingling of the buffaloes provides a sense of balance. The piece vividly records a simple rural scene characteristic of early Taiwan. The sculpture is now on display in the Guangfu Auditorium of Zhongshan Hall in Taipei City.

Note: It's first stamp which print by "Offset plus embossing" in Taiwan.

FDC from Bulgaria／FDC de la Bulgarie

2010-06-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

World Chess Championship 2010／Championnat du monde d'échecs 2010

The World Chess Championship 2010 match pitted the defending world champion, Viswanathan Anand, against challenger Veselin Topalov, for the title of World Chess Champion. The match took place in Sofia, Bulgaria from April 24 to May 13, 2010, with a prize fund of 2 million euros (60% to the winner). In a dramatic finish, Anand won the match 6½–5½ to retain the title.

The match was to be twelve games, with tie-breaks if necessary, the same format and length as the 2006 and 2008 matches.

The start of the match was delayed one day due to air travel disruptions caused by the volcanic ash emissions from Eyjafjallajökull. Anand was to fly from Frankfurt to Sofia on April 16 and was stranded because of the eruption. He asked for a three day postponement, which was refused by the organisers on April 19. Anand finally reached Sofia on April 20, after a 40-hour road journey. The first game was consequently delayed by one day.

Le Championnat du monde d'échecs 2010 est un match entre le vainqueur du Championnat du monde d'échecs 2008, Viswanathan Anand et Veselin Topalov, vainqueur d'un match contre Gata Kamsky en 2009. Il a lieu à Sofia du 24 avril au 12 mai 2010. Initialement prévu en 2009, il est reporté en raison de la crise économique.

Le titre se joue dans un match en 12 parties à l'issue duquel, en cas d'égalité, des parties rapides départageront les joueurs. Les joueurs se partagent un prix de 2 millions d'euros, 60 % pour le vainqueur et 40 % pour le perdant. Il est remporté par Anand sur le score de 6½ à 5½, grâce à sa victoire avec les noirs dans la dernière ronde.

Topalov a pour secondants les GMI Ivan Cheparinov, Jan Smeets et Erwin L'Ami, et le spécialiste des programmes d'échecs Jiri Dufek, qui a notamment travaillé sur le répertoire d'ouvertures de Rybka 4[1]. Pour sa préparation, il utilise un supercalculateur Blue Gene/P à 8 792 processeurs qui développe 1 pétaflops.

Les secondants d'Anand sont Peter Heine Nielsen, Rustam Qosimjonov, Surya Ganguly et Radosław Wojtaszek. Magnus Carlsen et Anish Giri lui servent ponctuellement de partenaires d'entraînement, et il reçoit de l'aide supplémentaire de la part de Garry Kasparov et Vladimir Kramnik.

Le match est arbitré par les arbitres internationaux Panagiotis Nikolopoulos et Werner Stubenvoll.

FDC from South Korea／FDC de la Corée du Sud

2010-06-02T10:37:00.000-07:00

Korea´s Skating Victories at the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games／
Victoires de la Corée du patinage à Vancouver Jeux Olympiques d'hiver

In the breathtaking moment of the deciding event, Koreans tightly held hands, fretting that Kim Yu Na might fall during the triple lutz–triple toeloop combination jump. Becoming one with the skaters who raced the clock in a dash toward the finish line, we pushed our will onto the ice chanting “one two, one two.” In the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games where all the Korean people cheered in one voice, the Korean athletes showed incredible flair as if they were repaying the Korean people’s ardent cheering. Kim Yu Na, who with impeccably perfect form rose to the position of the undisputed queen of world figure skating. Mo Tae Bum, Lee Seung Hoon, and Lee Sang Hwa who emerged as new hopes in speed skating. Lee Jung Su, Sung Si Bak, Lee Ho Suk, Kwak Yoon Gy, Kim Seoung Il, Lee Eun Byul, and Park Seung Hi who carried on Korea’s rightful reputation as the global power in short-track. The other 35 members of the Korean representative team also showed the beauty of putting forth their best efforts to the very last moment. Thanks to all of them, Korea was able to achieve its best record in history with 6 gold medals, 6 silver medals, 2 bronze medals and win golden medals in the 3 events of figure skating, speed skating and short track speed skating, rising high as a new, skating power. The 11 Vancouver heroes who won medals are introduced through commemorative stamps, sending loud applause to all 46 athletes who endured lengthy periods of patience and pain, falling dozens, or hundreds or thousands of times on the ice. The deeply touching moments of gazing at the Taegeukgi, the national flag of Korea, rising to the top of the Olympic victory stand will be cherished for a long, long time in our hearts.

Postcard from South Korea／Carte Postale de la Corée du Sud

2010-05-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

30th Anniversary of Gwangju Democratization Movement／
30ème anniversaire de mouvement pour la démocratie de Gwangju

The Gwangju Democratization Movement (Hangeul:광주 민주화 운동, Hanja: 光州民主化運動) or simply Gwangju Uprising refers to a popular rebellion in the city of Gwangju, South Korea from May 18 to May 27, 1980. During this period, citizens rose up against government and took control of the city. In the course of the uprising, insurgents took up arms, but were ultimately crushed by the ROK Army. The event is sometimes called 518, in reference to the date the uprising began.

The events of May 1980 were not a deliberate plot by the ROK government to massacre innocent civilians in South Cholla Province. Nor was the U.S. involved in the incident. Given the extent of the insurrection, the death toll was remarkably low: a fact that reflects the ROK government's efforts to minimize casualties. Those who continue to distort what happened at Kwangju should have their motives questioned. They seem determined to prevent the wounds from healing and to drive a wedge between the U.S. and the Korean people.

During 1980s, the incident was represented in official reports as a rebellion inspired by Communist sympathizers. But after civil rule was reinstated, the incident received recognition as an effort to defend democracy from military usurpation. Therefore, so called Kwangju Democratization Movement. However, there are claims supporting the official report. In South Korean media several North Korean refugees, including former Korean People's Army (KPA) members, claimed that the rebellion was truly supported by special KPA agents. In 1997, former presidents Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, as well as 17 others, were convicted and subsequently pardoned for their "connections with the December 12, 1979 coup, the Gwangju Uprising, and slush funds." By 2002, a national cemetery and day of commemoration (May 18), along with acts to "compensate, and restore honor" to victims, were established.

Le mouvement pour la démocratisation de Gwangju (Hangeul:광주 민주화 운동 , Hanja: 光州民主化運動) est un soulèvement populaire prenant place dans le centre-ville de Gwangju en Corée du Sud, amorcé le 18 mai 1980. Au cours de ce mouvement, les citoyens s'élèveront contre la dictature en place et prendront le contrôle du centre-ville avant d'être sévèrement réprimés par l'armée qui reprendra le contrôle des lieux le 27 mai. Gwangju était le fief du leader de l'opposition démocrate, Kim Dae-jung, qui fut condamné à mort après ces émeutes, puis gracié par la suite.

Pendant le règne de Chun Doo-hwan, cet événement était présenté comme une révolte inspirée par des sympathisants communistes, mais une fois qu'un régime civil a été mis en place, il a été reconnu qu'il s'agissait d'un mouvement ayant pour but de défendre la démocratie contre la dictature militaire. En 1997, les anciens présidents Chun Doo-hwan et Roh Tae-woo ont été jugés coupables, avec 17 autres accusés, pour leurs "liens avec le coup d'État du 12 décembre 1979, le soulèvement de Gwangju et des fonds secrets", pour être par la suite graciés. En 2002 furent créés un cimetière national et une journée commémorative (le 18 mai), pour "compenser" les victimes et "restaurer leur honneur".

Cet événement est généralement appelé "5 1 8" ("오일팔", prononcé "o il pal", c'est-à-dire "cinq un huit" en français) en coréen, en référence à la date du soulèvement (avec, dans l'ordre, le mois et le jour).

FDC from Japan／FDC du Japon

2010-05-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

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

Kōchi Prefecture (高知県, Kōchi-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.
Kochi is a land of lush forests and blue seas, and people who have learnt to harmonize with our rich and varied environment. To the north, the Shikoku Ranges form our border with Ehime and Tokushima Prefectures. To the south, Kochi sweeps out into the Pacific Ocean in a large arc, reminiscent of a folding paper fan. With a total area of 7105 square kilometers, Kochi is the largest prefecture of the four on Shikoku Island, and 18th largest in Japan. 84% of this land area is covered in forest, with a population of 796,292 (2005 National Census). At number 45 in terms of residents, we are quite sparsely populated, with a density of only 112.1 people per square kilometer. Our climate is warm and humid, with sub-tropical plants such as Acoh and Biroh found on Ashizuri and Muroto Capes. Early-bearing varieties of rice are grown on the plains. Indeed, Kochi is one of Japan’s bread-baskets, having long produced vegetables in greenhouses. With a long Pacific border, we also boast a stunning coastline.Introduction The west has many inlets, and the upraised east coast is blessed with broad sandy beaches. It is this complex geography, our warm climate and the many typhoons that cross our coastline that have produced the unique culture of Kochi Prefecture.

FDC from Russia／FDC de la russie

2010-05-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

175th Anniversary of Hydrometeorologic Service／
175ème Anniversaire de Service Hydrométéorologique

New Issue: Centenary of Girl Scouting Commemorative Issue／Les nouveautés: Centenaire du Scoutisme féminin émission commémorative

2010-05-22T19:30:00.001-07:00

The year 2010 is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the girl scouting movement, and Chunghwa Post is issuing a set of two stamps in commemoration on the theme: Girls worldwide say, “Together we can change the world”. The designs of which are described below:

1. The NT$5-denominated stamp: The stamp features a design ingeniously implying a combination of two hands and two doves. The two open palms suggest the idea of devotion and sharing, and the dove symbolizes peace. Devotion, sharing and peace are fundamental Girl Scout values. Girl Scouts aim to actively contribute service to the community so as to make the world a better place.

2. The NT$25-denominated stamp: It features a dove holding multi-colored ribbons in its mouth to convey a joyous atmosphere. The ribbons form two interlinked hearts to represent the joining of hearts and minds. The design has connotations of love, cooperation and peace.

To add to the fun of stamp collecting, the stamps will be printed in the shape of a rhombus. Both the stamps feature the emblems of WAGGGS and the Girl Scouts of Taiwan in the expectation that the Girl Scouts will respect its rules, act with sincerity, and faithfully fulfill their duties, helping others whenever the opportunity presents itself and holding true to their organizational spirit of working to achieve a more beautiful future.

FDC from Bulgaria／FDC de la Bulgarie

2010-05-20T04:20:00.000-07:00

Expo 2010／Exposition universelle de 2010

Expo 2010, officially Expo 2010 Shanghai China (simplified Chinese: 中国2010年上海世界博览会; traditional Chinese: 中國2010年上海世界博覽會; pinyin: Zhōngguó Èrlíngyīlíng Nián Shànghǎi Shìjìe Bólǎnhuì) is being held on both banks of the Huangpu River in the city of Shanghai, China, from May 1 to October 31, 2010. It is a World Expo in the tradition of international fairs and expositions. The theme of the exposition is "Better City – Better Life" and signifies Shanghai's new status in the 21st century as the "next great world city". The expo Logo features the Chinese character 世 ('world', Chinese "shì") modified to represent three people together with the 2010 date. It is the most expensive Expo in the history of the world's fairs. The Shanghai World Expo is also the largest World's Fair site ever at 5.28 square km.

More than 190 countries and more than 50 international organizations have registered to participate in the Shanghai World Expo, the largest ever. China expects to receive almost 100 foreign leaders and millions of people from across the world to come and visit the World Expo. More than 70–100 million visitors are expected to visit the expo, the largest in history.

L'Expo 2010 est une exposition universelle qui se tient à Shanghai, en Chine, du 1er mai 2010 au 31 octobre 2010. La ville a été choisie le 3 décembre 2002 par le Bureau international des expositions pour accueillir cette exposition.

Le thème de l'exposition est : « Une meilleure ville, une meilleure vie ». Le logo de l'Expo 2010 représente le caractère 世 (Pinyin : shì, Sens : monde) modifié pour représenter trois personnes unies, avec la date 2010. La mascotte Haibao a la forme du caractère 人 qui signifie « être humain » ou « humanité » (Pinyin : rén).

L'exposition se situe entre les ponts Nanpu et Lupu, le long du fleuve Huangpu, dans le centre de Shanghai. Elle couvrira un espace de 5,28 km². Avec un budget de 30 milliards de renminbi et entre 70 et 100 millions de visiteur attendus, c'est a priori (en 2009) l'exposition universelle la plus importante de l'histoire. Le 23 septembre 2009, 242 pays et organisations internationales ont confirmé leur participation à l'Exposition universelle de Shanghai.

Note: There is a stamp: "MISSENT TO CHINA" in Chinese on the cover.

FDC from Bosnia and Herzegovina (Republika Srpska)／FDC de la Bosnie-Herzégovine (La République serbe de Bosnie)

2010-05-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

EUROPA-Children's books／
EUROPA-Livres pour enfants

FDC from Russia／FDC de la russie

2010-05-13T20:22:00.000-07:00

Towns of Soldierly Glory／
Villes de la gloire de soldat

Towns of Soldierly Glory - Belgorod, Kursk, Orel, Polyarny, Rzhev.

FDC from Brazil／FDC du Brésil

2010-05-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

Fruit Loop - Rural Tourism／
Fruit Loop - Tourisme rural

Post publicize this issue, as soon as Mercosur, the Fruit Loop, composed of ten municipalities related to fruit production, including exports, and rural tourism.

The horticulture export has been growing rapidly every year in Brazil, and also represents a huge potential to be exploited. Our primary customer is Russia, which concentrates the largest share of the volume of Brazilian exports of fresh fruits. This has promising export market as other destinations, mainly Canada, UAE, China, USA and other countries of Eastern Europe.

The Fruit Loop is a major and more well structured tour of the state of Sao Paulo. The Circuit is in strong farm, producing fruit (grape, strawberry, persimmon, peach, fig, plum, guava and cherry, among many others) and its derivatives, such as liqueurs and jams.

Also known as Polo Turístico Fruit Loop, consists of 10 municipalities (Atibaia Indaiatuba, Itatiba Itupeva, Jarinu, Jundiaí Louveira Morungaba, Valinhos and Vineyard) with traditional and diversified production in the area of horticulture. The total area of the municipalities that make up the Fruit Loop is 2383 km ² with a population of 1,030,035 inhabitants in 2008.

The region is a small paradise. Amidst the beautiful scenery, stand out in the Fruit Circuit rural tourism, fruit production, artisan production of wine and sweets and contact with the cultural and historical roots of Brazilian people.

Near the Greater Sao Paulo, the Circuit Fruit has one of the best roads in Brazil, with emphasis on the Anhanguera and Bandeirantes. It is also located close to major airports in the state, as Cumbica Airport, in Guarulhos, Congonhas in Sao Paulo and Viracopos, in Campinas. The region of the circuit began to be populated with the occupation of territory in the seventeenth century. During the eighteenth century was the Jundiaí tropeirismo warehouse and from the nineteenth century, its development was fueled by coffee.

In 1867, with completion of the railroad-Jundiaí Santos, the city became a strategic area of rail junction. There came then the first groups of Italians, Portuguese, Spanish, Japanese, German, English and Arabic. With the coffee crisis in 30 years of the twentieth century, the population of the region gave impetus to the diversification of crops, to the profusion of varieties currently grown. The origin of the Fruit Loop back to the mid-'90s, when farmers in the region sought to develop rural tourism alternatives for economic viability of their properties.

In 2000, 27 farmers met for the establishment of the Association of Rural Tourism Circuit Fruit. With the organization of the movement, he joined the municipal governments of the participating municipalities, with support of organizations like the Brazilian Service to Support Micro and Small Enterprises - SEBRAE / SP and the National Cooperative Learning - SESCOOP / SP. At the same time, the interest of the state government in the development of tours provided the necessary condition for that, October 2, 2002, was officially established the Polo Turístico Fruit Loop. Since then there has been a growing number of tourists who visit and enjoy their privileged nature and flavors of the field.

FDC from Poland／FDC de la Pologne

2010-05-08T20:36:00.000-07:00

Baltic Sea Mammals／
Mammifères de la mer Baltique

All mammals inhabiting the Baltic Sea are under protection. There are three species of seals and porpoise - the only whale Baltic. Even in the early twentieth century, they lived in the sea very much, but because they mainly feed on fish, so they were considered pests. Killing were paid for their rewards. This led quickly to the almost total extermination of the Baltic seals and cetaceans. From less than 20 years last attempt to re-population of these animals. Currently, the main threat to them are czyhającym fishing nets, in which the gets caught. Soul is trapped, unable to proceed to draw air. Another threat is the pollution that causes the disease and problems with reproduction. A third important factor in the development of tourism and fisheries. Lack of peace and the noise frightened the animals from their habitat, not giving them a rest, which often leads the animals to exhaustion. Therefore, do not interfere with the rest on the edge of the perceived Foce. It should pass the information on this meeting to Sealand.

Helskie Sealand - a facility of the Institute of Oceanography Marine Station of Gdansk University, founded in 1999 the main task of this center is to rebuild the gray seal colony in the Southern Baltic. Seals, who need care or have been brought up in Sealand, they return to the natural environment, providing valuable information about the species, its migration and health. Sealand also runs educational activities, and popularizing knowledge of the mammals living in the Baltic.

In the summer, when many countrymen rests on the sea or even remembers walking along the beach, the Polish Post has prepared a series of stamps featuring the Baltic population, whose existence is often not remember or do not know. At the four stamps in one coastal scenery are presented: the porpoise, gray seal, seal, and ringed seal vulgaris. Stamps FDC envelope and accompanied by a commemorative stamp used in Post Office Hel first Inauguration of stamps took place in Hel Sealand.

porpoise (phocaena phocaena) - although the porpoise has its own monument in Gdynia, it's not every child knows that living in the Baltic Sea relative of a dolphin. Unfortunately the danger of extinction. Knowledge of it is negligible because of the small number (estimated to be approximately 1,000 individuals). It weighs about 1945-1970 kg with a body length of about 1.5-1.7 m. We meet in the Gulf of Gdansk and Puck.

The stamp shows the porpoise emerged upper part of his body from the nasal aperture, and a characteristic triangular dorsal fin.

gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) - the largest of the Baltic seals, up to 2.5 m. Weight of males may exceed even 300 kg. Small at birth are covered with white fur. Once very numerous, are rare, mainly in the Gulf of Gdansk.

Common seal (Phoca vitulina) - also known as sea dog. Despite its name, it is the least numerous species of Baltic seal. It lives in colonies, very fast swims, dives to a depth of 150 m. The length of body about 1.5 - 2 m, weight about 100-180 kg. Young immediately after birth are "adult" color.

ringed seal (Phoca hispida) - seal. Its name comes from the ring-shaped bright spots on the back. It is the smallest of the Baltic seals 105-170 cm in length and weighing 45-140 kg. Lives, rather alone.

FDC from Algeria／FDC de L'Algerie

2010-05-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

2nd Panafrican Cultural Festival of Algiers 2009／
2ème Festival Culturel Panafricain d'Alger 2009

Algeria to host the 5 to 20 July 2009 the second edition of the Pan-African Cultural Festival. Forty years after the first edition of this cultural event in 1969 and was placed under the banner of "freedom" because of marked liberation movements across Africa, now it appears this time under the slogan " African Renaissance "reflecting the culture of the continent.

The decision to hold the second Pan-African cultural festival dates back to 2005 when holding the first conference of African Ministers of Culture, a decision endorsed by the African Union summit in Khartoum in 2006, which adopted occasionally, the charter of the African renaissance.

Forty members of the African Union will participate in this great cultural event. Home to a large community of African descent throughout the world, the United States and Brazil will also participate in this event which will certainly new dimensions because the majority of African countries were at the time of the first edition under the yoke colonialism.

The rich and diverse activities are included in the program of the second Pan-African Festival "Panaf'2009" which will see 8,000 participants. These activities are spread over different areas like the cinema, theater, music, visual arts, literature, heritage, etc..

Also, a big parade is preparing to roam the streets of the capital the day of the official opening of the festival in its second edition.

The organization of the Pan-African festival in Algeria, which also forms part of the strengthening of the African dimension of national culture and its interference with other cultures of the continent is likely to be an opportunity to confirm once again the membership our country and its commitment to the values of pan-Africanism.

L’Algérie abritera du 05 au 20 Juillet 2009 la deuxième édition du festival culturel panafricain. Quarante ans après la première édition de cet événement culturel en 1969 et qui fut placé sous le signe de « la liberté » en raison des mouvements de libérations marqués à travers le continent africain, voilà qu’il se présente cette fois sous le slogan de « la renaissance africaine » reflétant ainsi la culture de tout le continent.

La décision d’organiser le deuxième festival culturel panafricain remonte à l’année 2005 lors de la tenue de la première conférence des Ministres Africains de la culture, décision entérinée par le sommet de l’Union Africaine de Khartoum en 2006, qui a adopté, à l’occasion, la charte de la renaissance africaine.

Une quarantaine de pays membres de l’Union Africaine participeront à cette grande manifestation culturelle. Abritant une grande communauté d’origine africaine à travers le monde, les Etats-Unis et le Brésil participeront également à cet événement qui aura certainement de nouvelles dimensions car la majeure partie des pays africains étaient à l’époque de la première édition sous les jougs du colonialisme.

Des activités aussi riches que diverses sont inscrites au programme du deuxième festival panafricain « Panaf’2009 » qui connaîtra environ 8000 participants. Ces activités se répartissent sur différents volets à l’instar du cinéma, le théâtre, la musique, les arts visuels, la littérature, le patrimoine, etc.

Aussi, une grande parade se prépare à sillonner les rues de la capitale le jour de l’inauguration officielle du festival en sa deuxième édition.

L’organisation du festival panafricain par l’Algérie qui s’inscrit aussi dans le cadre du raffermissement de la dimension africaine de la culture nationale et son interférence avec les autres cultures du continent sera sans doute une occasion pour confirmer encore une fois l’appartenance de notre pays et son attachement aux valeurs du panafricanisme.

FDC from Russia／FDC de la russie

2010-05-02T08:53:00.000-07:00

2009 - the Year of Youth／
2009 - l'Année de la Jeunesse

Postcard from Malta／Carte postale de Malte

2010-05-01T20:54:00.000-07:00

Postcard from Syria／Carte postale de la Syrie

2010-04-30T10:50:00.001-07:00

Postcard from Oman／Carte postale d'Oman

2010-04-29T01:22:00.001-07:00

FDC from Algeria／FDC de L'Algerie

2010-04-24T04:22:00.000-07:00

Monuments and Sites of the Roman era／
Monuments et Sites de l'époque Romaine

Archaeological Site: Madaura

Madaura, Latin Madaurus, whence the name M'daourouch, is an ancient Roman city located 45 kms from Thaghaste (now Souk-Ahras) north east of Algeria. It dates back to the year 75 BC under the reign of Roman Emperor Vespasian. This city has lived through the invasion Berber, Roman, Byzantine and Vandal. Regarded as a center of educational outreach, she stood by his university, one of the first with Carthage in Africa. History tells us the names of two great teachers: Maximus the grammarian and the rhetorician, Apuleius. Among the students is Madaura philosopher and theologian St. Augustine, founder of the religious thought of Catholicism. September acres have been excavated since 1905 registered in the area that has classified the archaeological park since 1968. The park also contains relics that are still resisting the vicissitudes of time.

Archaeological Site: khemiss

Lying 37 km Souk Ahras, khemiss city whose ancient name is Thubursicu Numidarum is a city on a hill with a large area well irrigated and an important water resource (the source of the Medjerda) .
Numidian city, it became a municipality in the second century AD under the emperor Trajan, and colony honorary third century. Strategically, this town was an important place because it was located on a road linking the port of Hippo Regius (near Annaba) in the camp of the legion of Africa (Tebessa).
The bishops are mentioned between 354 and 411: Fortinius, Maurentius and Januarius.
The ruins cover an area of 65 ha and contain important monuments: the old square in the eastern quarter of the city, the theater at the foot of the hill to the north, the great basilica colonnaded court, also the monumental gateway to a single bay. Khemiss occupies a place among the ancient cities of North Africa.

Ancient Theatre: Guelma

Guelma or Calama in antiquity, located east of the country, was a Numidian city or municipality before becoming the reign of the emperor Trajan and Roman colony in the late third century. From its Roman past, the city has retained a theater that is the opinion of competent persons, an architectural masterpiece. This theater has a large number of steps divided into four zones and traversed by stairs. The scene of this monument is imposing and distinguished by a group of buildings based on the preliminary stage itself structured around a staircase of seven steps. On both sides of the stairs on the platform and in great harmony based two giant gantry formed by two very tall columns and two pilasters. Against the stage wall stands, on both sides, two colossal statues of Asclepius and Neptune. The ancient theater of Guelma houses the largest museum in the city devoted to archeology. This monument is a witness of cultural influence has been the city in the early third century.

Site archéologique de Madaure

Madaure, en latin Madaurus, d’où vient le nom de M’daourouch, est une antique ville romaine située à 45 Kms de Thaghaste (Souk-Ahras actuellement) au nord est de l’Algérie. Sa création remonte à l’an 75 avant J.C. sous le règne de l’Empereur romain Vespasien. Cette cité a connu successivement l’invasion berbère, romaine, vandale et byzantine. Considérée comme un centre de rayonnement pédagogique, elle se distingua par son université, l’une des premières avec Carthage au continent africain. L’histoire nous révèle les noms de deux grands professeurs : Maxime le grammairien et Apulée le rhéteur. Parmi les élèves de Madaure figure le philosophe et le théologien Saint Augustin, fondateur de la pensée religieuse du catholicisme. Sept hectares et demi ont fait l’objet de fouilles enregistrées depuis 1905 sur la superficie que compte le parc archéologique classé depuis 1968. Le même parc recèle des vestiges qui résistent toujours aux vicissitudes du temps.

Site archéologique de Khemissa

Distante de 37 kilomètres de Souk-Ahras, la ville de Khemissa dont le nom antique est Thubursicu Numidarum, est une ville adossée à une colline disposant d’un vaste territoire bien irrigué et d’une importante ressource hydrique (les sources de la Medjerda).
Cité numide, elle devint un municipe au IIe siècle après J-C sous l’empereur Trajan, et colonie honoraire au IIIe siècle. Sur le plan stratégique, cette ville occupait une place importante puisqu’elle était située sur une route reliant le port d’Hippo Regius (prés d’Annaba) au camp de la légion d’Afrique (Tébessa).
Des évêques sont mentionnés entre 354 et 411 : Fortinius, Maurentius et Januarius.
Les ruines s’étendent sur une surface de plus de 65 ha et renferment d’importants monuments : la vieille place située dans le quartier oriental de la ville, le théâtre au pied de la colline au nord, la grande basilique judiciaire à colonnades, également la porte monumentale à une seule baie. Khemissa occupe une belle place parmi les cités antiques de l’Afrique du nord.

Théâtre antique de Guelma

Guelma, ou Calama dans l’antiquité, situé à l’est du pays, était une cité numide avant de devenir municipe sous le règne de l’empereur Trajan et colonie romaine vers la fin du IIIe siècle. De son passé romain, cette ville a conservé un théâtre qui est, de l’avis des personnes compétentes, un chef-d’œuvre architectural. Ce théâtre compte un grand nombre de gradins répartis en quatre zones et traversés par des escaliers. La scène de ce monument est imposante et se distingue par un ensemble architectural reposant sur l’avant-scène articulée elle même autour d’un escalier de sept marches. Des deux côtés de l’escalier sur la plate forme et dans une grande harmonie reposent deux gigantesques portiques formés par deux très hautes colonnes et deux pilastres. Contre le mur de scène se dresse, de part et d’autre, deux statues colossales d’Esculape et de Neptune. Le théâtre antique de Guelma abrite le musée le plus important de la ville consacré à l’archéologie. Ce monument reste un témoin du rayonnement culturel qu’a connu la ville au début du IIIe siècle.

FDC from Belgium／FDC de la Belgique

2010-04-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

ANTVERPIA 2010 ATM

The international exhibition Antverpia 2010 will take place from April 9 to April 12, 2010 at the Exhibition Center "Antwerp Expo " in Antwerp.

The exhibition celebrates the 120th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal Belgian Federation of Philatelic Associations, the oldest in the world. With over 17.000 m² in 4 halls, Antverpia 2010 will host among others the international FEPA and national Belgian exhibition of all classes, the international stamp exhibition "birds" (Birdpex) and competitive philately exhibitions with 2.000 frames. Furthermore, more than 50 postal administrations, over 100 stamp dealers and the Taipei Representative Office of the EU and Belgium are looking forward to welcome you in the beautiful city of Antwerp.

This exhibition takes place under the FEPA patronage and is fully recognized by the FIP. We are also very proud to announce that Antverpia 2010 is under the High Patronage of H.M. the King and the Queen.

Du 9 au 12 avril, Antverpia 2010 jettera l'ancre sur l'Escaut. Cette exposition internationale de philatélie célèbre le 120e anniversaire de la Fédération Royale des Cercles Philatéliques de Belgique et organise, dans la foulée, un championnat philatélique européen.

Cette exposition gratuite s'intitule "Championnat national et Européen de philatélie: Philatélie au fil de l'Escaut" et exhibera des collections uniques de timbres-poste, réparties sur 4 halls (17.000 m2). Plus de 100 stands de négociants de timbres belges et étrangers ainsi que 30 postes étrangères répondront à l'appel d'Antverpia. Par ailleurs, 35.000 visiteurs sont attendus.

Durant Antverpia 2010, plusieurs auteurs anversois de bande-dessinée seront mis à l'honneur à travers leurs personnages comme Biebel, Kiekeboe, Jommeke, Sam et bien entendu Bob & Bobette. L'organisation n'oublie bien entendu pas non plus cette autre institution qu'est le zoo d'Anvers en síassociant au premier anniversaire du petit éléphant Kai Mook.

FDC from Algeria／FDC de L'Algerie

2010-04-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

16th Mediterranean Games Pescara (Italy 2009)／
16ème Jeux Méditerranéens PESCARA (Italie 2009)

The Mediterranean Games which take place every four years in their history back to the year 1951. The games began as an initiative of Tahar Pasha, President of the Egyptian Olympic Committee want to make the competition a symbol of peace in a period marked by various conflicts and tensions in the Mediterranean basin.

And it is the city of Alexandria that housed the first edition of these games, then Barcelona in 1955, Beirut in 1959, Naples in 1963, Tunis in 1967, Izmir in 1971, Algiers in 1975, split in 1979, Casablanca in 1983, Latakia in 1987, Athens in 1991, Agde in 1993, Bari in 1997, Tunis in 2001 and again in 2005 Almeria.

In 2009, the flame will rise Mediterranean in Pescara (Italy) to host the prestigious sporting facilities in the Abruzzi the 16th edition of the Mediterranean Games in June 26 under the July 5. Throughout this great sporting event will compete with teams and athletes from 23 countries bordering the Mediterranean.

The disciplines included in the Games program in Pescara in 2009 are numbered 25, namely athletics, swimming, football, handball, basketball, volleyball, boxing, judo, wrestling, fencing, weightlifting, cycling, gymnastics, karate, tennis, table tennis, shooting, beach volleyball, water polo, golf, sailing, equestrian, kayaking, rowing and wheelchair races.

Algeria to take part in this edition with 17 subjects divided into three performance categories, it will aim to collect as much medals as well as gaining experience in preparation for the London Olympic Games to be held in 2012.

Les jeux méditerranéens qui se déroulent tous les quatre ans remontent dans leur histoire à l’année 1951. Ces jeux ont débuté suite à une initiative de Tahar Pacha, Président du Comité Olympique Egyptien souhaitant faire de ces compétitions un symbole de paix dans une période marquée par divers conflits et tensions au bassin méditerranéen.

Et c’est la ville d’Alexandrie qui abrita la première édition de ces jeux, par la suite Barcelone en 1955, Beyrouth en 1959, Naples en 1963, Tunis en 1967, Izmir en 1971, Alger en 1975, Split en 1979, Casablanca en 1983, Lattaquié en 1987, Athènes en 1991, Agde en 1993, Bari en 1997, Tunis en 2001 et enfin Almeria en 2005.

En cette année 2009, la flamme méditerranéenne passera à Pescara (Italie) qui accueillera dans les prestigieuses structures sportives des Abruzzes la 16ème édition des jeux méditerranéens prévus du 26 Juin en 5 Juillet. Tout au long de ce grand événement sportif se concurrenceront les équipes et athlètes de 23 pays bordant la méditerranée.

Les disciplines inscrites au programme des jeux de Pescara 2009 sont au nombre de 25, à savoir l’athlétisme, la natation, le football, le hand-ball, le basket-ball, le volley-ball, la boxe, le judo, la lutte, l’escrime, l’haltérophilie, le cyclisme, la gymnastique, le karaté, le tennis, le tennis de table, le tir, le beach-volley, le water-polo, le golf, la voile, les sports équestres, le canoë kayak, l’aviron et le handisport.

L’Algérie prendra part à cette édition avec 17 disciplines réparties en trois catégories de performance, elle aura comme objectif de recueillir le maximum de médailles ainsi que l’acquisition de l’expérience en prévision des jeux olympiques de Londres qui se tiendront en 2012.

FDC from Germany／FDC de l'Allemagne

2010-04-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

Historic Motorsport／Motorsport Historique

The first automobile race was organized 115 years ago in France between Paris and Rouen. Four years later, were also the first race held in Germany. Even then, the motor was used to demonstrate the quality of the cars and test technical innovations. Some of these innovations improved then the production vehicles. For example, the now widely used anti-lock ABS system was originally developed for a racing car. The historic vehicles inspire today in car museums to visitors. Particularly impressive but they are at classic car races, such as at the Nürburgring in the Eifel region, to which thousands of fans.

FDC from Croatia／FDC de la Croatie

2010-04-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

500th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF IVAN DUKNOVIĆ／
Le 500ème ANNIVERSAIRE DE LA MORT d'IVAN DUKNOVIĆ

Motif: a statue of St John Evangelist, carved for the chapel of the blessed John of Trogir in the Trogir cathedral, 15th century, photo by Živko Bačić Ivan Duknović (Joannes Duhnovich, Ioannes Dalmata), born around 1440 in Trogir, died after 1509, his father’s name Stjepan, is among the most important builders of the cathedral in Trogir. His first knowledge of carving traditions were acquired at home but later on he improved his skill in Italy. In 1470 in Rome he was commissioned several important works, particularly important was a commission from cardinal Pietro Barba, who was later elected Pope Paul II., for whom he carved a tomb (along Mina da Fiesole) in the old basilica of St Petrus, which was the most important work of that kind of the entire 15th century. Unusual resonance of a glory in the Eternal City helped him to another commission, expressed in the Pope’s testament, a figure of Our Lady with a Child high up on the tomb of Pope Paulus II. At the begining of 1480 Duknović works in his native city of Trogir. The first selfstanding three dimensional sculpture in Croatia is a statue of St John Evangelist, carved for the chapel of the blessed John of Trogir in the cathedral. The sculpture is carved at the peak of Dukonovic’ creative life. This great artist probably a sanguine person, in his work reflected the balance between the resonance of a strong composition and psychological intuition, between formal idealisation (reflected in the posture of the statue and shaping of soft fabric) and realism in the expression of physiognomy. The signature at the base of the sculpture (probably additinaly carved) should read in continuo with the signature: S . IOANNES . EVANGELISTA . IOANNIS . DA(L)MATAE . F(ACTUM). – St John carved by the sculptor John – identical to the master’s signature on his most accomplished work , on the base of the relief Hope, executed on the tomb of the Pope Paulus II., where it is written: (I)OANNIS . DALMATE . OPUS. The profile of the statue erected in the chapel of the Blessed John is identical to the profile of a Nicolo Fiorention’s relief in the „Little“ palace of the Čipiko family in Trogir, of Alvizo Cipiko, wreathed poet and later a prelate of a Roman court, from the time when his famous father Koriolan wanted to see him appointed a bishop. Terminus ante quem non and a model for Duknović’ statue is St Philip by Nicolo Fiorentino (1489) errected in the chapel. If we examine the fabric of drapes of Duknović’ Apostle Toma (1508) –it is in some kind of a dialogue with the statue of John the Evangelist. After working some time in his native land Duknović was employed for several years at the court of King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary, who presented him the palace Majkovecz as a gift in 1488. After the King’s death, Duknović is mentioned in some documents to be in Trogir in 1497and in 1498 in Venice. He might be «Joane de Stano da Trau“ the author of the altar in the Scuola Grande di S. Giorgio, however the altar could also be the work of a famous artist from Trogir – Ivan Statilić. He created some of the anthological works of Croatian sculpture and was the most prominent artist of Croatian Renessaince art. Just to metion some of the reliefs: Our Lady on display in the museum in Padua and Trogir city museum, statue of St Vlaho in Dubrovnik’ Princes Palace, the bust of the humanist Carlo Zena in the Venetian Museo Correr and – probably the last – tomb of the blessed Girolama Gianelli in the cathedral in Ancona. Also the Charming putto hump-back on the main portal of the Cipiko palace (also the work of Duknović), just oposite the Trogir cathedral, is one of the trade marks of the Croatian Renaissance and the most precious artefact of the City Museum in Trogir. Putto holding a torch in flames standing astride on the gally, with the cloak fluttering in the wind, hinting obviously to the function of Koriolan Cipiko in the Venetian fleet in Levant (1470-1474). A three dimensional sculpture made in the manner of the motives from Ancient Times is linked to a similar sculpture of Heraklo as a boy, carved some time later by Duknović on the fountain at the court of Matthias Corvinus in Višegrad. Duknović’ opus, presently on display in Berlin and Paris, Rome and Budapest, Trogir and Dubrovnik, gives an authentic picture of the highest intelectual and artistic range of sculptures carved in close relation to demanding comissioners and artists educated in the very epicentre of the European Renessaince. The artist who became famous thanks to collaborating with several sculptors from Toscana and who suceeded to preserve genuine individual expression and even more who succeded to express his genuine temperament.

FDC from Russia／FDC de la russie

2010-04-12T21:34:00.001-07:00

Symbols of Moscow and St.Petersburg／
Les symboles de Moscou et de Saint-Pétersbourg

6.60RUR: Symbols of St.Petersburg
9.00RUR: Symbols of Moscow

New Issue: Long-horned Beetles Postage Stamps／Les nouveautés: Timbres des Cerambycidae

2010-04-11T01:36:00.000-07:00

Issue date:21.05.2010
Date d'émission: 21.05.2010

In order to increase the public’s understanding about the long-horned beetles, Chunghwa Post will issue a set of four definitive stamps featuring Erythrus formosanus, Rosalia formosa conviva, Aphrodisium faldermannii yuagii and Anoplophora horsfieldi tonkinensis. The designs follow:

1. Erythrus formosanus (NT$0.75): This pretty little long-horned beetle has a red body, a black head, black legs and black serrated antennae. There are two black bumps on its nota. Its elytra are red. This species is found in broad-leaved forests from sea level to 1,500 meters.

2. Rosalia formosa conviva (NT$2.50): This long-horned beetle has a red body, a black head and black antennae and legs. There are four black markings on its nota and several more on its elytra. It is found in mixed forests between 1,500 and 2,300 meters above sea level.

3. Aphrodisium faldermannii yuagii (NT$5.00): In coloration, these beetles are either yellow-brown or green. Those with yellow-brown coloration have glossy nota, with a black stripe running down the middle, and they have black legs and yellow tarsi. Those with green coloration have inconspicuous lengthwise stripes on their green elytra. The species is found in mixed forests between 1,500 and 2,000 meters above sea level. Because it emits a musky smell, it is also called the “musk long-horned beetle” in Chinese.

4. Anoplophora horsfieldi tonkinensis (NT$25.00): This long-horned beetle has a black body and its abdomen is densely covered with fine yellow hair. Both its head and nota have a pair of yellow stripes running lengthwise. There are four yellow markings in each of its elytra. There are some sharp spurs on the outer edges of its prothorax. This widely distributed species is found in broad-leaved forests from sea level to 1,000 meters.

Note: If you want FDC mail to your address (3 EUR/per cover), or want to swap FDC, Please contact: kiahsutw@gmail.com

FDC fron Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

2010-04-08T20:34:00.000-07:00

Ornamental Fish／Les poissons d'ornement

The hobby of collecting and raising aquarium fish appeared 2500 years ago, firstly from China, and then spread to South East Asian countries. Until the 17th century, aquarium fish was brought to Europe, America and raising aquarium fish has become a hobby of many people world-wide. Up to now, there are many kinds of ornamental fish in different shapes & colours have been cross-bred.

Raising aquarium fish has been considered a profitable job for every household. Apart from economic value, it also makes human life more pleasant. Thus, the hobby of collecting & raising aquarium fish has attracted numerous people at all ages in the world.

In Vietnam Stamp Collection, there are many issues of ornamental fish such as: Gold fish, Exotic fish, Ornamental fish, Tropical fish, Siamese fighting fish, Coral sea-fish...

2,000d: Botia macracanthus

3,000d: Trichopsis pumila

6,500d: Cynolebias elongatus

10,500d: Centropyge flavissima

14,500d(S/S): Scleropages formosus