International stamp commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Visegrad Group
On Monday, February 15th, a postage stamp from the "30th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Visegrad Group" issue entered circulation. This is a joint publication of Poczta Polska and the Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian Post Offices. The stamp is being distributed to customers and philatelists during Poland's Presidency of the Visegrad Group (V4), which Poland assumed in July 2020.
The design's author, Agnieszka Sobczyńska, depicted the number "30" on the stamp, directly referencing the anniversary of the establishment of the Visegrad Group, as well as an arrangement of four solids moving in one direction, symbolizing the four separate, independent states that make up the community of nations. In addition to the stamp, Poczta Polska issued a limited edition First Day of Circulation (FDC) envelope. It features the flags of the Visegrad Group countries and the logo of the Polish Presidency of the V4.
" The geopolitical situation in Central Europe has never been one-dimensional. Back in the Middle Ages, the monarchs of that time organized a congress in Visegrad, where they reached agreements on regional policy. Current cooperation within the V4 demonstrates that, thanks to effective political and economic activities, the voice of the Visegrad Group countries is becoming increasingly stronger in Europe. Our company is proud to immortalize the events of 30 years ago, when the Visegrad Group was established, on a postage stamp, " comments Tomasz Zdzikot, CEO of Poczta Polska.
" The philatelic issue, honoring the anniversary of the Visegrad Group's establishment, coincides with Poland's presidency of the V4. It's significant for Poczta Polska that this joint publication of all the Visegrad Group countries was created by a Polish designer and was approved by the other V4 postal operators. This project not only expresses shared goals, aspirations, and efforts, but also provides a positive summary of our achievements in neighborly cooperation to date, " says Wiesław Włodek, Vice President of Poczta Polska.
The Visegrad Group is an informal regional cooperation between four Central European countries – Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. They are united not only by proximity and similar geopolitical circumstances, but above all by shared history, traditions, culture, and values. The idea behind the creation of the V4 was to intensify cooperation in building democratic state structures and a free market economy, and, in the longer term, participate in the process of European integration.
" During its Presidency, Poland is striving to ensure that the Visegrad Group countries' joint efforts are successful in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, and that interpersonal relations strengthen our societies, including through the implementation of joint projects. The example of a joint postage stamp is one of many opportunities to combine the potential of our nations and is an excellent opportunity to promote what unites and leads to integration through dialogue and mutual understanding ," emphasized Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
About the stamp:
author of the design: Agnieszka Sobczyńska
number of stamps: 1
value: PLN 8
circulation: 153,000 pcs
printing technique: offset
stamp format: 43 x 31.25 mm
paper: fluorescent
sales sheet: 9 stamps
date of introduction into circulation: February 15, 2021
This and other philatelic publications of Poczta Polska can be purchased at post offices and online store: www.filatelistyka.poczta-polska.pl .