What do we think of when we think of stamps?
According to the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE), philately is defined as the hobby of collecting and studying postage stamps.
Inspired by this definition, and seeking a meaningful theme for the National Stamp Fair in the Plaza Mayor, the "Spain is Philately" stamp was issued. Philately is often associated with older people, perhaps because stamps require time: time to touch them, observe them, look at them carefully, and, if something catches our attention, investigate their history. Thus, each stamp becomes a gateway to knowledge and curiosity.
But stamps are much more than collectibles: they are instruments that invite us to dedicate time to ourselves. They offer us a space for observation, calm, and imagination. When we pause in front of a stamp, we let memories, experiences, and what we learned long ago flow. Every image, every detail, can spark curiosity and lead us to explore diverse themes, historical figures, and key moments in our society.
Stamps allow us to stop and pay attention to something that, although outside of us, also belongs to us. Because they speak of our history, our present, and who we are as a country. They connect us with figures like Ramón y Cajal and Carmen Martín Gaite, celebrate sporting triumphs like the World Cup, introduce us to new sports like breakdancing, and bring us closer to the culinary richness of each region through series like D.O.P. or "Spain in 19 Dishes."
Art also finds its place on stamps: painting, sculpture, film... Through stamps, we can learn about architecture, discover artistic heritage, and travel to distant places thanks to joint broadcasts with other countries, or to nearby corners through series like the Christmas series, which brings us closer to different nativity scenes and cities throughout Spain. And along with this, social causes, anniversaries, and collective struggles. Each broadcast is an opportunity to learn, to feel, to connect.
The list of topics is endless, issue after issue, but the most important thing is to take the first step: to get up close, look at a stamp, and be surprised by all it can teach us.
Stamps are an invitation to give ourselves time. Time to observe calmly, to pause, to let our imagination flow, to let memories emerge, to let experiences and lessons learned come alive. Each stamp is a small window that connects us with themes, characters, and moments that are part of our history and our present.
Observing a stamp is an act of mindfulness. It allows us to stop and look with different eyes, to discover what sometimes goes unnoticed, and to reconnect with what unites us.
The design for SPAIN IS PHILATELY is an illustration depicting an album where collectors keep and protect their stamps. The album is the treasure chest where each collector's little treasures are kept and that connects us with other people when we exchange, comment, or participate in philatelic fairs or forums.
Spain is Philately because stamps reflect who we are as a society, as a country.
