Algeria Elections FDC

Algeria FDC
Name: Presidential Elections
Date of Issue: 09 April 2009

Algeria provides, once again, the proof of the establishment of a democratic era of prosperity and peace. After the consolidation of the institutional building and the rehabilitation of the role of elected bodies in the national development process, here come a new phase that stake this presidential election symbol of both continuity and sustainability of the State and the Republic and the principle of alternation in power through the expression of popular will.

This election is also the result of the achievements of its predecessors, which could establish a credible way, guarantees fairness and transparency, and freedom of expression and participation of all the sensitivities represented in the society. This has allowed, yet this time, applications in number and quality that reflect a wide partisan adherence to the conditions of preparation and conduct of this election.

The election campaign lasted 19 days, during which six candidates were able to present their programs and highlighted differences in their respective approaches, leaving the popular will and to speak only by way of ballot boxes, the track and the voice of the majority decides, irrevocably and sovereign, which will be for five successive years, the President of the nation from 1 November 1954.

Hong Kong World Stamp Exhibition FDCs

Hong Kong FDCs
Name: Hongkong Post's Participation in CHINA 2009 World Stamp Exhibition
Date of Issue: 07 April 2009

A special stamp sheetlet is issued to commemorate Hongkong Post's participation in CHINA 2009 World Stamp Exhibition to be held in Luoyang City, Henan Province, China from 10 to 16 April 2009. Under the patronage of the Fédération Internationale de Philatélie (FIP) and the auspices of the Federation of Inter-Asian Philately (FIAP), the Exhibition will be staged in the new hall of the Luoyang Museum. This is the second such mega event hosted by China for philatelists abroad and at home.

CHINA 2009 World Stamp Exhibition, presented in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, aims to foster closer ties and co-operation among philatelists and stamp collectors worldwide, and promote philately as a universally enjoyable hobby. The Exhibition will enrich the culture of philately across the nation with local stamp enthusiasts taking part in this international philatelic activity. The event also offers Hongkong Post an excellent chance to showcase quality stamps from Hong Kong to stamp lovers in the Mainland and around the globe.

The colourful stamp sheetlet vividly captures the artistic images of the peony (the city flower of Luoyang) and the bauhinia (the city flower of Hong Kong). Shades of pink and white highlight the elegance of the peony in full bloom against layers of petals in brilliant hues of tangerine and crimson. The bauhinia flowers in white surrounding the peony in the stamp symbolise Hongkong Post's participation in this important event.

China 2009 World Stamp Exhibition:
China Stamps, Souvenir Sheet, Sheetlet II
Hong Kong FDCs
Indonesia FDC

Taiwan Underground FDC

Taiwan FDC
Name: Kaohsiung MRT
Date of Issue: 07 April 2008
Number: Sp. 530

Denominations:
NT$5.00: Central Park Station (中央公園站)
This underground station comprises two levels, and the station's architecture blends into the landscape of adjacent Central Park. A gigantic canopy-like roof, which resembles a flying leaf, was constructed to cover the entrance. Conveying the design concept of "to soar," it demonstrates a robust and constant vitality.

NT$25.00: World Games Station (世運站)
Inspired by the special physical environment of Kaohsiung and meant to show the special characteristics of a harbor city, the central design concept of this elevated station focuses on sailing, and the station building resembles a ship, befitting a major center of international shipping.

Thailand Heritage M/S FDC

Thailand Minisheet FDC
Name: Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2009
Date of Issue: 02 April 2009
Number: 868

Purpose: To commemorate Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2009 and to enhance public awareness of the importance and value of national arts.

Designs: Stone castle or "Prasat Hin", which is counted as a religious sanctuary, generally features the main castle as the most important part where the most-revered icon is situated. This part is deemed the center area of all and standing on the lift-up floor, representing the center of the cosmos.

3 บาท BAHT: Prasat Ta Muean, Surin Province
3 บาท BAHT: Prasat Ta Muean Thom, Surin Province
3 บาท BAHT: Prasat Ta Muean Tot, Surin Province
3 บาท BAHT: Prasat Sadok Kok Thom, Sa Kaeo Province

Thailand Heritage FDC

Thailand FDC
Name: Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2009
Date of Issue: 02 April 2009
Number: 868

Purpose: To commemorate Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2009 and to enhance public awareness of the importance and value of national arts.

Designs: Stone castle or "Prasat Hin", which is counted as a religious sanctuary, generally features the main castle as the most important part where the most-revered icon is situated. This part is deemed the center area of all and standing on the lift-up floor, representing the center of the cosmos.

3 บาท BAHT: Prasat Ta Muean, Surin Province
3 บาท BAHT: Prasat Ta Muean Thom, Surin Province
3 บาท BAHT: Prasat Ta Muean Tot, Surin Province
3 บาท BAHT: Prasat Sadok Kok Thom, Sa Kaeo Province

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.

Russia Gogol M/S FDC

Russia Minisheet FDC
Name: The 200th Anniversary of Birth of Nikolai Gogol
Date of Issue: 01 April 2009

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (Russian: Никола́й Васи́льевич Го́голь, Nikolaj Vasil'evič Gogol'; Ukrainian: Мико́ла Васи́льович Го́голь, Mykola Vasylovych Hohol) (31 March [O.S. 19 March] 1809, – 4 March [O.S. 21 February] 1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian novelist, humorist, and dramatist. His early works, such as Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka, were heavily influenced by his Ukrainian upbringing and identity. More...

Denominations:
6.00: The Government Inspector
The Government Inspector, also known as The Inspector General (Russian: Ревизор or Revizor or in German Der Revisor), is a satirical play by the Russian playwright and novelist Nikolai Gogol, published in 1836 and revised for the 1842 edition. Based upon an anecdote allegedly recounted to Gogol by Pushkin, the play is a comedy of errors, portraying human greed, stupidity, and the deep corruption of powers in Tsarist Russia. More...

7.00: Dead Souls
Dead Souls (Russian language: Мёртвые души) by Nikolai Gogol was first published in 1842, and is one of the most prominent works of 19th-century Russian literature. Gogol himself saw it as an "epic poem in prose", and within the book as a "novel in verse". Despite supposedly completing the trilogy's second part, Gogol destroyed it shortly before his death. Although the novel ends in mid-sentence (like Sterne's Sentimental Journey), it is usually regarded as complete in the extant form. More...

8.00: The Overcoat
"The Overcoat" (Russian: Шинель, Shinel; sometimes translated as "The Cloak") is the title of a short story by Ukrainian-born Russian author Nikolai Gogol, published in 1842. The story and its author have had great influence on Russian literature, thus spawning Fyodor Dostoevsky's famous quote: "We all come out from Gogol's 'Overcoat'." The story has been adapted into a variety of stage and film interpretations. More...

9.00: Taras Bulba
Taras Bulba is a romanticized short historical novel by Nikolai Gogol. It tells the story of an old Zaporozhian Cossack, Taras Bulba, and his two sons, Andriy and Ostap. Taras’ sons studied at the Kyiv Academy and return home. The three men set out on a journey to Zaporizhian Sich located in Ukraine, where they join other Cossacks and go to war against the Polish nobles. More...

Russia Gogol S/S FDC

Russia Souvenir Sheet FDC
Name: The 200th Anniversary of Birth of Nikolai Gogol
Date of Issue: 01 April 2009

Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol (Russian: Никола́й Васи́льевич Го́голь, Nikolaj Vasil'evič Gogol'; Ukrainian: Мико́ла Васи́льович Го́голь, Mykola Vasylovych Hohol) (31 March [O.S. 19 March] 1809, – 4 March [O.S. 21 February] 1852) was a Ukrainian-born Russian novelist, humorist, and dramatist. His early works, such as Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka, were heavily influenced by his Ukrainian upbringing and identity. More...

Poland Easter FDC

Poland FDC
Name: Easter
Date of Issue: 01 April 2009

New Postage Stamps and First Day Cover

As every year, Poczta Polska joins in the celebrations of the Feast of the Resurrection, that is Easter, by preparing occasional postage stamps for its customers. This time the emphasis is on the spiritual meaning of Easter, which is why the stamps feature religious elements. Out of the four major motives of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, that is the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Removal from the Cross and Entombment and, lastly, the Resurrection, Poczta Polska presents the final two. It is worth noting that Poczta Polska, by displaying the excellent works of a presently lesser known Polish painter Szymon Czechowicz, promotes the native arts. The stamps feature the works entitled "Entombment" ("Złożenie do grobu", 1747) and "Christ Resurrected" ("Chrystus Zmartwychwstały, 1758), both of which belong to the collections of the National Museum in Kraków. In iconography the latter one is also known as "Resurrected Christ appears before the apostles" ("Chrystus ukazujący się apostołom po zmartwychwstaniu"). The purple and blue colour scheme of the FDC symbolises Christ's transition from death (purple is recognised by the church as the colour of mourning) to eternal life in heaven. The FDC is accompanied by an occasional date stamp, in use in the Warsaw 1 Post Office.

The painter Szymon Czechowicz

Szymon Czechowicz (1689-1775) was born in Kraków, and he died in Warsaw. At first he was educated in the estate of Franciszek Maksymilian Ossoliński, and afterwards (around 1711) he left for Rome where he stayed until 1730. During his stay in the Eternal City he studied at the famous Saint Lucas Academy under the tuition of Benedetto Lutti. It is there that his first achievement was born when he was awarded for his drawings entitled "Samson tears a lion apart" ("Samson rozdzierający lwa") and "The victorious return" ("Zwycięski powrót z wyprawy"), kept in the archives of the school until today. Following his return to Poland he settled in Warsaw and took up painting religious works and portraits, in which he soon excelled. He also established a school for painters in the city. In 1972, that is Prior to his departure from Rome, he had painted the works entitled "Removal from the cross", "The vision of saint Anthony," and "The Holy Mother guarding Kraków" for the church of the Scholarum Piarum order in Kraków, and also one entitled "The Assumption" for the cathedral church in the town of Kielce - all of which soon earned him the reputation of a talented painter of religious motives. Additionally, he also became famous for his portraits, and not much later such prominent figures as high ranking church officials and famous laymen, including the bishop of Kraków Jan Aleksander Lipski, the great chancellor of Lithuania Jan Fryderyk Sapieha, and the Voivode of Sandomierz Jan Tarło, commissioned him to paint their portraits and religious works. Grand Crown hetman Jan Klemens Branicki ordered as many as seven paintings for the parish church in Tykocin and two for the church in Tyczyn, and the grand Crown hetman Wacław Rzewuski placed a commission for paintings for the castle chapel and the castle building in Podhorce. Had it not been for his apprentices, working under the strict supervision of the master, Szymon Czechowcz would never have been able to fulfil so many orders.

Not only painting

The theme of Easter has appeared in all possible forms of art including various genres of music. In fact, the very first Polish song is one dedicated to Easter. "Christ has resurrected" ("Chrystus zmartwychwstan jest"), sang in churches until this very day, is also the oldest poetic work of art ever recorded in our native tongue. Świętosław of Wilków included one of its stanzas in his Graduał* for the Płock cathedral church (presently missing). By studying the song's individual linguistic forms, the researches of language have concluded that it's actually even older - some believe that as much as two centuries! The lyrics which we know today were written later, however. Just think - we can relate to the legacy of our ancestors by cultivating our native faith and spiritual tradition.

Krystus zmartwychwstał je,
Ludu przykład dał je,
Eż nam z martwych wstaci,
Z Bogiem krolowaci. Kyrie [eleison]

*graduał - here it means a book of Gregorian chant including liturgical songs for the entire church year.

China Sheetlet: 2009-8

China Sheetlet II
Name: China & World Expo
Number: 2009-8
Date of Issue: 01 May 2009
Value: 8 stamps/sheet

Denominations:
1.20元 (4-1): China at Earlier Expos
1.20元 (4-2): China at Recent Expos
1.20元 (4-3): 1999 World Horticultural Expo Kunming
1.20元 (4-4): World Expo 2010 Shanghai

China's association with World Expo can be traced back to 1851, when Chinese products were displayed and won prizes at the first World Expo. After that, China attended the Expo events by sending governmental officials and businessmen delegations, entering products for exhibition, and in other forms. In 1982, New China for the first time participated in the Energy Expo World's Fair, held in Knowxille. In all the Expo events that followed, China exhibited its time-honored traditional culture and remarkable achievements made in the fields of economy, science and technology. The China Pavilions were cited as "Five-Star Exhibition Hall" and "Best Foreign Exhibition Hall" at the World Expos in 1988, 1992 and 1993.

After New China was founded in 1949, especially since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy, along with the enhancement of the overall national strength as a result of rapid economic development and social progress, China has established and maintained a closer relationship with the global event. In 1999, China successfully hosted the World Horticultural Expo in Kunming, which won acclaim worldwide and helped elevate the national image and the country's international standing. The World Expo 2010 would be the first comprehensive world exposition to be hosted by China. Themed on "Better City, Better Life," and devoted to exploring a better city life for human beings, the Expo 2010 will undoubtedly stage a wonderful dialogue among different human civilizations for history.

Belarus Bird FDC

Belarus FDC
Name: Bird of the Year - Greylag Goose
Date of Issue: 31 March 2009

The Greylag Goose (also spelled Graylag in the United States), Anser anser, is a bird with a wide range in the Old World. It is the type species of the genus Anser.

The stamp is issued with the assistance of the public organization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" (Protection of Homeland Birds).

The public organization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" declared the greylag goose a bird of the year 2009.

There are logos of the International organization of birds protection "BirdLife International" and Belarus public organization "Ahova ptushak Batskaushchyny" (APB) on the stamps.

Algeria Polar Regions FDC

Algeria FDC
Name: Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers
Date of Issue: 28 March 2009

Over the millennia, glaciers have experienced phases of growth and melting of their mass, as is the natural fluctuation dictated by the climatic cycles. Since the last decades, they have begun the decline that continues today.

As the ice melts, there is less and less solar energy is reflected by the ice and more absorbed by the ocean.

A considerable reduction of glaciers and ice covering the sea in the Polar Regions has been registered. Thus, the thickness of the ice in the Arctic Ocean has increased from 4.88 m on average in 1980 to 2.75 m in 2000, a decrease of 2.13 m in 20 years. According to studies carried out during 2003 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Arctic is losing about 10% of its permanent ice.

Over the past century, temperatures in the northern regions has increased an average of 1.51 ° C, resulting in the phenomenon of global warming, a phenomenon linked primarily to the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The greatest increase in temperature during this century range from 2 ° C and 6 ° C and affect primarily the northern regions of the planet. Also, methods of production of various energies have clearly demonstrated their close association with the phenomenon of global warming threatening the planet.

However, the Polar Regions play an important role in the global climate system by storing the energy of all the existing hot zones around the world, and exchanging heat flows from Ecuador against the flow of cold water north and vice versa.

The polar regions, considered as a factor regulating the climate of the world, enable us to study many questions related to the planet such as climate, biodiversity, the ozone hole, atmospheric chemistry, ocean dynamics The structure of the globe, etc..

Our planet appears as a whole where the climate partly depends on complex interactions between ocean, atmosphere, biosphere, cryosphere and human activities. The issue of concern to humanity at present and how can slow the advance of climate change on the entire planet in order to reduce their impact on living beings.

With the goal of reducing the progress that is rapid phenomenon of global warming, the optimal use of different energies is needed. Algeria, however, and whatever the dangers may be caused to the nature, all efforts by the international community to protect and safeguard our planet.

Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers FDCs:
Algeria, Estonia, Lithuania.

China Stamp: 2009-8

China Stamps
Name: China & World Expo
Number: 2009-8
Date of Issue: 01 May 2009
Value: 4 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20元 (4-1): China at Earlier Expos
1.20元 (4-2): China at Recent Expos
1.20元 (4-3): 1999 World Horticultural Expo Kunming
1.20元 (4-4): World Expo 2010 Shanghai

China's association with World Expo can be traced back to 1851, when Chinese products were displayed and won prizes at the first World Expo. After that, China attended the Expo events by sending governmental officials and businessmen delegations, entering products for exhibition, and in other forms. In 1982, New China for the first time participated in the Energy Expo World's Fair, held in Knowxille. In all the Expo events that followed, China exhibited its time-honored traditional culture and remarkable achievements made in the fields of economy, science and technology. The China Pavilions were cited as "Five-Star Exhibition Hall" and "Best Foreign Exhibition Hall" at the World Expos in 1988, 1992 and 1993.

After New China was founded in 1949, especially since the implementation of the reform and opening-up policy, along with the enhancement of the overall national strength as a result of rapid economic development and social progress, China has established and maintained a closer relationship with the global event. In 1999, China successfully hosted the World Horticultural Expo in Kunming, which won acclaim worldwide and helped elevate the national image and the country's international standing. The World Expo 2010 would be the first comprehensive world exposition to be hosted by China. Themed on "Better City, Better Life," and devoted to exploring a better city life for human beings, the Expo 2010 will undoubtedly stage a wonderful dialogue among different human civilizations for history.

Lithuania Polar Regions FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers
Date of Issue: 27 March 2009

If there were no the Earth's atmosphere, which transmits sunlight like a greenhouse but keeps the Earth surface warm, the sunlight, reflected by the Earth's surface, would instantly fade in the space. Gases accumulated in the atmosphere trap the heat given out by the Earth and cause the so-called greenhouse effect.

Power plants generating electricity and heat, vehicles, factories, and other activities of man increase the concentration of gasses around the Earth enhancing the greenhouse effect and leading to the increase in temperature and climate change.

The melting of polar ice caps, retreat of mountain glaciers, rising sea level, storms, floods, dry years, heat waves, and shortage of drinking water can be named as the consequences of climate change.

In order to stop climate change, it is necessary to reduce the emission of gases contributing to the greenhouse effect.

Postage stamps under the topic "Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers" dedicated to the problem of climate change will be issued in January–March by some tens countries, including Lithuania.

Preserve the Polar Regions and Glaciers FDCs:
Algeria, Estonia, Lithuania.

Estonia Meri FDC

Estonia FDC
Name: Republic of Estonia heads of state 1918-2018 - Lennart Meri
Date of Issue: 26 March 2009

* 29 March 1929 Tallinn
† 14 March 2006 Tallinn

President of the Republic
6 Oct. 1992–8 Oct 2001

1990–92 foreign minister, 1992 ambassador to Finland, 2002–03 representative of the Government of the Republic in the Convention on the Future of Europe. Writer, translator, film director, member of the Estonian Writers’ Union, of the Estonian Film-makers’ Union, of the Estonian PEN Club, honorary member of the Finnish Writers’ Union, Academician of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, honorary doctor of Helsinki University (1986), Saami University (1999, Finland), Turku University (2000, Finland), Saint Olaf University (2000, USA), Surrey University (2004, Great Britain), patron of numerous undertakings and organisations, bearer of many countries’ orders, European of the Year 1998. Winner of the Coudenhove-Kalergi European Prize (1996), of the Liberal International Prize (1999), of the Max Schmidheiny Freedom Prize (2001) and recipient of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award (2004).

"Republic of Estonia heads of state 1918-2018" Series FDCs:
Otto Strandman
Ants Piip
Lennart Meri