Since the first EUROPA stamps were issued in 1956, these unique postage stamps have symbolised Europe’s continuing aspiration for closer ties and cooperation. European postal operators issue them each year on a specific theme. Above all, the EUROPA series represents European unity by highlighting its rich history, diverse cultures and shared roots. Today these stamps rightly rank among the most collected and popular postage stamps in the world.
In this anniversary year of EUROPA stamp issues, all members of PostEurop, the association of European public postal operators, are returning to a common design. The design was selected through a special competition and created by the Finnish artist Klaus Welp, one of the most prolific designers of Finnish stamps, who explained the symbolism of the common design as follows:
- the diagonally ascending dotted line represents both the perforation of a stamp and the progressive work of PostEurop;
- the seven dots, connected by a straight line, symbolise seventy years of unified effort by postal operators across the continent;
- the blending gradients and dotted patterns in the background form a cohesive and vibrant surface, reflecting the joyful mix of colours from the European flag and symbolising the unity of all member nations.
Once again this year, Pošta Slovenije is issuing two stamps in this series. The design of the second stamp was created by Natalia Berezina and depicts a tree characteristic of all European countries, while also representing a community of leaves which, despite their different colours and sizes, form a harmonious and colourful tree called Europe.
Simona Koser Šavora
