Spain JUVENIA FDC

Spain FDC
Name: JUVENIA 2009
Date of Issue: 06 November 2009

The National Exhibition of Youth Philately (Juvenia 2009) is an important philatelic event for youth stamp collecting. It has been taking place every two years and in 2009 will be held in Mieres (Asturias). From the 6 to the 14 November, exhibitions, workshops, lectures and other commemorative events will take place in this XXI edition of JUVENIA. The challenge of this edition, as in previous ones is to widespread the exciting, formative and varied world of philately amongst the young ones. This XXI edition is organised by the Club Filatélico Mierense who celebrates its 50th anniversary. There will be collections on exhibition from France, Portugal and Spain. Within the programme of Juvenia there will be many activities taking place: Seminars, visits, lectures, stamp presentations etc. these events will be hosted in the hall of the main building of the University Campus of Barredo in Mieres.

Mieres borders on Ribera de Arriba, Oviedo and Langreo to the north; to the south on Lena and Aller : to the east on Langreo, San Martín del Rey Aurelio and Laviana; and to the west on Morcín and Riosa. There are remains of Celtic fortifications and mounds which evidence the existence of pre Roman inhabitants. From the Roman times there remain vestiges and inscriptions, though the importance of this municipality begins in the IX century when a number of monarchs from Asturias make important donations to its churches and jurisdictions. Mieres was part of the Jacobean Path thus its name, Mieres-on-the path. From the XIX century, the region had a buoyant coal mining industry which is nowadays in decline and up until 1970 it also had a prosperous metal industry.

The stamp depicts a view of the Requejo square with a statue of a man pouring cider in a glass and in the background there features the typical glass window galleries of this region besides the logo and text allusive to Mieres and Juvenia.

Comment: This FDC is a surprise from my Spanish friend. Francisco, please email me if you see this post.

Spain Fauna FDC

Spain FDC
Name: Flora and Fauna
Date of Issue: 01 April 2009

The Capercaillie or Wood Grouse (Tetrao urogallus), is a bird from the family of the Tetraonidae and the order of the Galliformes. It is one the largest members of the grouse family, reaching over 1 meter in length for the males and 0.70 cm the females. Both have feathers under their beaks resembling a beard and a bright red spot of naked skin above each eye and fanned tail feathers. They breed in old coniferous forests with a rich interior structure and dense ground vegetation under a light canopy. In Spain they can be found in the Cantabria region and the Pyrenees. They are an endangered species whose courting season goes from March to mid May. During this period they gurgle and wheeze to attract the hens and begin copulation. Hens lay from five to twelve eggs in a hole on the ground providing an easy target for predators such as boars, dogs and weasels hence only a few chicks reach the adult age and thus the population decline.

Comment: I'm not good at Spanish philatelic activity. I guess it has only one city or post office that uses the special cancellation on issue day.

Spain EXFILNA FDC

Spain FDC
Name: EXFILNA 2008, Oviedo
Date of Issue: 28 April 2008

On occasion of the XLVI edition of the National Philatelic Exhibition, one of the most important in Spanish philately whose aim is to promote stamp collecting, Correos, as always, issues a souvenir sheet depicting the Cross of Victory and in the background, the main building of the Campoamor theatre in Oviedo, the town where this year's Exfilna edition takes place from the 28th April to the 3rd May.

The Cross of Victory, also known as Pelayo cross, is the main theme of the stamp and souvenir sheet. This emblematic piece is the symbol of Asturias, it is kept in the Holy Chamber of the San Salvador cathedral in Oviedo and it is a remarkable exponent of the Asturian Pre-Romanesque period. It is a Latin cross with its arms widening towards their tips and at its centre there is a relic box. It is made of oak wood and covered in gold and precious gems. It was made during the reign of King Alfonso III the Great who donated it in the year 908. According to the legend, this cross was worn by Don Pelayo in the battle of Covadonga.

The Campoamor theatre is the venue where the prestigious Principe Felipe awards ceremony is held. It is a clear symbol and scenario of the cultural life of Oviedo. It was built by architects José López Salaberry and Sirgo Borrajo Montenegro from 1883 to 1892. It was named after the famous Asturian poet Ramón de Campoamor on proposal of writer Leopoldo Alas Clarin and suffered major restorations in 1916 and 1940 after being reduced to rubble during the Civil War. It reopened its doors in 1948 with a clear influence from the European romantic classicism and from then on has been the venue fro the performance of plays, zarzuelas, and concerts.

Oviedo is the capital of the principality of Asturias, a modern, commercial and monumental city which this year houses the XLVI edition of the Exposición Filatélica Nacional in the Auditorium-Congress Palace Principe Felipe.

Francisco M. Peñacorveira, Thank you sent this real posted FDC to me. Please send an email to me asap.

Comment: This is my 1st real posted FDC from Spain, I'm so surprise because I don't know the sender before this FDC. He did a very professional job, but I want to remind all of my blog's visitors, you'd better contact with me before you send anything to me.