China Souvenir Sheet: 2008-10

China Souvenir Sheet
Name: The Summer Palace
Number: 2008-10
Date of Issue: 10 May 2008

Denominations:
6 Yuan: Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha (Foxiang Ge)
The Tower of the Fragrance of the Buddha (traditional Chinese: 佛香閣; simplified Chinese: 佛香阁) originally built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and burned down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces in 1860, it was rebuilt in its original style during Emperor Guangxu's reign (1875-1908). The octahedral tower has three stories with four-layered eaves, altogether 36.44 meters high. Standing upright on a 20 meter-high stone foundation, it constitutes the center of the Summer Palace landscape and serves to accentuate its magnificence. A statue of the thousand-handed Guanshiyin Buddha, cast in bronze and gilded with gold, stands inside the tower. The statue, five meters high and five tons in weight, was cast during the reign of Emperor Wanli of the Ming Dynasty. Set off by the eight imposing pillars which support the tower, it glows with beauty, grandeur and brilliance. Its historical, cultural and artistic value can hardly be overstated.

Official Website of The Summer Palace

2008-10 The Summer Palace Stamps
2008-10 The Summer Palace Souvenir Sheet

Algeria Writers FDC

Algeria FDC
Name: Algerian Writers
Date of Issue: 16 April 2008

Designs: (left to right, top to bottom)
15,00: Abdelhamid Benhaddouga (1925-1996) (the portrait on this stamp is Mohammed Dib)
Abdelhamid Benhaddouga (Arabic: عبد الحميد بن هدوقة) is considered as the first Algerian author who wrote in Arabic language. He was born on January 29th, 1925 at El Mansourah in Bordj Bou Arreridj. He benefited from a double teaching in his birthplace firstly and than in Constantine. Later he went to Tunisia in aim to carry on his learning at "Zeitouna Mosque". Considered as a playwright, a journalist and a novelist, he had also written several theatrical plays. His novel named "North Wind" marked the birth of the Algerian Arabic novel. It was shooting in a movie realised by Slim Ryad. Through the novel "Djazia and the Dervishes", Abdelhamid Benhaddouga gave the woman a great position. The legend of Djazia the woman had taken through the novel, new measurements.

Add to this, Benhaddouga had written three collections of short stories, two translations into Arabic and two hundred radiophonic plays. He was the chief of the National Cultural Council in 1990 and the vice president of the National Consultative Council in 1992. After he had enriched the national library in particular and the culture in general with novels of a magic and a unique style, Abdelhamid Benhaddouga died in the year 1996.

Comment: What a big mistake on this stamp, the text on this stamp is "ABDELHAMID BENHADDOUGA (1925-1996)", but the portrait on the stamp is the other Algerian writer - Mohammed Dib

Mohammed Dib (Arabic: محمد ديب)‎ (1920-2003) was an Algerian author who wrote over 30 novels, as well as numerous short stories, poems, and children's literature in the French language. He is probably Algeria's most prolific and well-known writer. His work covers the breadth of 20th century Algerian history, focusing on Algeria's fight for independence. More...

15,00: Redha Houhou (1911-1956)
Ahmed Redha Houhou (Arabic:أحمد رضا حوحو) was born in a village called Sidi Okba, situated in Biskra. Coming from a wealthy family, he received a double intellectual forming. He studied at first in a koranic school, further he obtained a primary educational certificate and than he integrated into the senior high school. In 1934, he left Algeria with his family to "Hidjaz". There, he worked in the post office administering.

He returned to Algeria after the events of May 8th, 1945 and settled down at Constantine. There, he joined the organization of the Algerian Muslim thinkers. Within the frame work of the same organization, he worked as the Islamic educational school headmaster. During the year 1947, he became a member of the administering council and then he worked as the general secretary of the institute "Ibn Badis".

Redha Houhou was the author of numerous newspapers' articles published by the organization and other articles published in magazines and periodics of some Arab countries. Through his works, this author criticized his society, the politic, and the woman status.

15,00: Malek Bennabi (1905-1973)
Malek Bennabi (Arabic:مالك بن نبي) was born on January the 1st, 1905 at Constantine. He studied at a Koranic school situated in Tebessa. After he had achieved the second level in schooling, he returned to his birthplace where he studied the Arabic language. And because of coming from a poor family, he was compelled to stop schooling. During the year 1936, after he had encountered "Abdelhamid Ibn Badis" and "Bachir el Ibrahimi", he decided to travel to Paris in aim to carry on learning.

From 1946 and during the revolution period, he wrote a number of books such "The Koran's Phenomenon" and "The Islam's vocation". Yet he joined the National Freeing Front and represented it in several countries.

Malek Bennabi was considered as the leader of the Islamic thought in Algeria. After the independence of Algeria, he was the headmaster of high education. But later he was obliged to drop this profession and to devote himself to research and to write books. As well as writing, he was used to organize sittings and to hold conferences. Further to an incurable illness, Malek Bennabi died on October 31st, 1973. This thinker had left a famous political and sociologic work. More...

15,00: Kateb Yacine (1929-1989)
Kateb Yacine (Arabic:كاتب ياسين) was born in 1929 at Constantine, in the east of Algeria. After studying in a koranic school, he integrated into a French school and than in a senior high school. At the age of 15, he witnessed the events of May, 8th, 1945. In the terrible repression engendered by these events, he was ill-treated, arrested and than jailed. When released, Kateb Yacine practised different professions. Later, he joined the National Freeing Front and worked as its representative in several capitals of the world.

In the days following the independence recovering, he devoted himself to write novels and plays. In spite of exclusion, the works of Kateb Yacine constituted a start of the modern Algerian literature. His novel entitled "Nedjma", published in 1956, is considered nowadays, as a major work that made him a famous writer. However, he had written other publications such as "The reprisals circle" published in 1956 and "The man with rubber sandal" published in 1970. Kateb Yacine had also written many theatrical plays. He visited lots of countries like Italy, Russia, Belgium and China. He died in France in October 28th, 1989. This famous author will remain a pillar of the Algerian thought. More...

Israel Hatikva S/S FDC

Israel Souvenir Sheet FDC
Name: Hatikva
Date of Issue: 28 April 2008

The year in which Israel celebrates 60 years of its independence, marks 120 years since the song "Hatikva" (The Hope) was first sung in the colony of Rishon LeZion.

The first draft of "Hatikva" was written by Naftali Hertz Imber (1856-1909) in 1878 in the Romanian city of Iasi. After immigrating to Israel in 1882, he enhanced the poem and added verses while touring the country's early towns and rural communities, completing it in 1884. Two years later, it was first published under the name "Tikvateynu" (Our Hope) in Imber's first book of poems, called "Barkai" (Jerusalem, 1886). The original version of the poem included nine stanzas which joined to form one complex, 132-word sentence describing the experience of national hope.

Shmuel Cohen (1870-1940), a 17 years old youth who immigrated to Israel from Romania in 1887 at age 17 and settled in Rishon LeZion, successfully joined the poem that same year with the melody of the refrain of a Romanian coachmen's song called "Carul Cu Boi" (The Wagon and the Bulls). This melody was based upon the folk melody of a Moldavian song called "Foaie Verde" (Green Leaf) which resonates in dozens of folk songs and musical pieces which were composed beforehand as well as later on. Some changes were made to the melody in order to fit with Imber?s words and the rhythm was slowed down.

The new song was first sung at gatherings of Rishon LeZion farmers and within two years it had become the laborers' favorite song when heading out in the morning to work in the new town of Rehoboth. It was adopted quickly by the Rehoboth settlers as the unofficial town anthem and spread gradually from town to town.

Moshe David Shuv, one of the founders of Rosh Pina and a cantor who sang before communities in the Diaspora, brought "Hatikva" to Europe. Cantor Friedland of Breslau wrote down the music and published it under the name "Yearning" (longings') in a booklet called - Four Syrian Melodies, published in his hometown in 1895. The song also appeared that same year in the song book "Songs of the People of Zion" which was published by Menashe Meirovitz, a member of the Bilu group, and was given the name "Hatikva" by the editor and printer, Avraham Moshe Luntz. The name remained permanent from then on.

Prior to the fourth Zionist Congress in London in 1900, a large group of Zionists, including Herzl, Nordau and Zangwill (who translated "Hatikva" into English) gathered there. At the conclusion of the meeting the British anthem was sung and then, spontaneously, everyone stood and began singing "Hatikva". The Zionist leaders then found out that "Hatikva" is worthy of serving as their anthem. From 1903 onward it was sung at the conclusion of every Zionist Congress. No less than three competitions had been held since the 19th century in the quest to find a national anthem, but not one of them produced a song that the public thought came even close to the level of an anthem.

Over the years, a few changes were made to the structure of the song, as well as to the words and the melody. Already in "Songs of the People of Zion", what had been the first stanza in the original version was changed to be the refrain ("Our hope is not lost"); But the main change was made in 1905 by Y.L. Matmon Cohen, a schoolteacher in Rishon LeZion, who exchanged the sentence ?To return to the land of our Fathers, to the city where David resided? which appeared in the second verse, with the sentence "To be a free nation in our land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem". He also switched the words "the age old hope" with the phrase "our hope (of) two thousand years". (Composer Hanina Kartshevski, who did the choral arrangement of "Hatikva" is responsible for adding the word "of" in order to fit the measure). In the mid-1920s the melody was also changed slightly: the tune to the phrase "to be a free nation", which was repeated both times it was sung, was changed to be sung differently in its first appearance.

Since the late 19th century "Hatikva" has made its way into people's souls and has settled deep within their hearts. The first two verses of the song were recognized as the national Jewish anthem without being deemed so by law or ordinance. The song was never chosen by a committee, a council or any authority and was never sent to compete in any contest. Only at the 18th Zionist Congress, which assembled in Prague in 1933, was it declared that as per tradition these many years, the blue and white flag is the flag of The World Zionist Organization and "Hatikva" is the anthem of the Jewish people.?

As with any folk song, "Hatikva" is an anthem that crystallized over time and the process of its development is readily seen. There is no copyright on the melody: none of the dozens of musical pieces mentioned as sources of the melody are identical to the way in which it is sung today. Countless songs were proposed over the years as options for the national anthem, but one phenomenon is unequivocal: for over 100 years millions of Jews, from the farthest point in the East to the far reaches of the West, have stood as one to sing "Hatikva", out of utter identification and interminable excitement and with tears in their eyes. For the first time in thousands of years the entire Jewish people had a single common Hebrew song which did not stem from the Bible or from a prayer book. That song was embraced wholeheartedly and spread of its own volition. The phrases "a Jewish spirit still sings"and "look toward Zion" have been submerged ever since in the bloodstream of the national revival and have left their mark in history, literature, art, journalism and song.

Since 1948 "Hatikva" has been the State of Israel's representative anthem, but it was not legally declared as the State's anthem until 2004.

Comment: This is my first real posted FDC from Israel, and this is a very typical Israeli issue, the stamp in this souvenir sheet is perforated in the unique shape of the Star of David which is a generally recognized symbol of Jewish identity and Judaism.

Latvia EUROPA FDC

Latvia FDC
Name: EUROPA 2008 - Letter
Date of Issue: 26 April 2008

Comment: I don't know why my friend added a Ls 1 definitive stamp on this FDC but hadn't cancelled. If my friend sent this FDC as a 21 grams registered mail, he should add Ls 2 definitive stamps. If he sent this FDC as a 20 grams registered mail, this FDC's postage had overpaid.

EUROPA Series FDCs:
2009 Astronomy:
Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Slovakia.

2008 Letter:
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Vatican.

Malaysia Butterflies S/S FDC

Malaysia Souvenir Sheet FDC
Name: Butterflies of Malaysia
Date of Issue: 24 April 2008

Malaysia has about 1,000 butterfly species and about half of these are restricted to habitats from sea level to 750 metres above sea level. Although some species can be easily seen in parks, gardens and other secondary vegetation, most Malaysian butterflies are forest dwellers. Some butterflies are habitat-specific and exist only in a specific ecosystem type.

Butterflies are generally day-flying insects of the order Lepidoptera, with often colourful wings. Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers and play an important role as one of the major agent of pollination. However, caterpillars are known to destroy crops and they are considered pests in these circumstances. Butterfly viewing is becoming an increasingly popular hobby. Some species are threatened by collection and habitat loss and require protection by law.

Designs:
RM5: Five-bar swordtail (Graphium antiphates)
This species is commonly seen on roads and forest clearings and males are sometimes seen congregating on moist spots. It is known for its swiftness in flight. The larva in its early stages is pure white marked only with thin transverse lines of black or dark green.

2007 Indonesia Butterflies FDCs
2008 India Butterflies FDC
2008 India Butterflies Minisheet FDC
2008 Malaysia Butterflies FDC
2008 Malaysia Butterflies Souvenir Sheet FDC

Malaysia Butterflies FDC

Malaysia FDC
Name: Butterflies of Malaysia
Date of Issue: 24 April 2008

Malaysia has about 1,000 butterfly species and about half of these are restricted to habitats from sea level to 750 metres above sea level. Although some species can be easily seen in parks, gardens and other secondary vegetation, most Malaysian butterflies are forest dwellers. Some butterflies are habitat-specific and exist only in a specific ecosystem type.

Butterflies are generally day-flying insects of the order Lepidoptera, with often colourful wings. Butterflies feed primarily on nectar from flowers and play an important role as one of the major agent of pollination. However, caterpillars are known to destroy crops and they are considered pests in these circumstances. Butterfly viewing is becoming an increasingly popular hobby. Some species are threatened by collection and habitat loss and require protection by law.

Designs:
30sen: Smaller wood nymph (Ideopsis gaura perakana)
This butterfly is more commonly found in forested hills and less seen on the plains. It has an attractive wing pattern of dark markings over a light wing base. Males are darker in colour than females and have narrower wings.

30sen: Malayan lacewing (Cethosia hypsea hypsina)
Males of this species have a pinkish bloom on the orange area of the upperside of the wing and females are yellower in colour. Eggs are laid, many at a time and the emerging young larvae are wine-red coloured.

50sen: Malay red harlequin (Paralaxita damajanti damajanti)
This species lives at moderate elevations on the hills and are usually in dense forests. The females are paler than males. The underside is beautifully marked with black streaks crossed with metallic blue.

RM1: Glorious begum (Agatasa calydonia calydonia)
This butterfly is rare in Peninsular Malaysia. It frequents more open forests and is often encountered at low to moderate elevations and are attracted to rotten fruit. The females are larger, paler and have broader wings than males.

2007 Indonesia Butterflies FDCs
2008 India Butterflies FDC
2008 India Butterflies Minisheet FDC
2008 Malaysia Butterflies FDC
2008 Malaysia Butterflies Souvenir Sheet FDC

Indonesia Japan Relationship FDCs

Indonesia FDCs
Name: The 50th Anniversary of Indonesia – Japan Diplomatic Relationship (Indonesia - Japan Joint Issue)
Date of Issue: 15 April 2008

This year the diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan commemorates its 50th anniversary. The diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Japan started in 1958, marked by the designation of peace agreement between The Republic of Indonesia and Japan. During the 50 years both countries have been expanding their cooperation and friendship not only in economic, but also in culture, education and in other fields.

To commemorate this important event, a series of activities is held throughout the year which is declared as "Golden Year of Friendship 2008." In order to extend the relationship and promote mutual understanding between the two countries to the next generation, cooperation between countries has been planned in the fields of education, economic, cultural, sports and human resources exchange. One of the main events in the year-long agenda is the issuance of a joint stamp series between the two countries.

Unlike other joint stamp series that have been issued in Indonesia which only presented one stamp design from each participating country, this joint issue depicts five designs of each country, totaling 10 stamps altogether. The five stamps are designed according to agreed themes namely: scenery/mountain, pagoda/temple, flower, traditional musical instrument, and fish.

Designs:
1/10 Rp2500: Kelimutu Mountain/Lake
In the local language (Flores Island), "keli" means mountain and "mutu" means boiling, shortly it can be said that "Kelimutu" means the volcano crater. It is a small yet well-known volcano. What makes it different from other volcanoes is that this 1,690m volcano has three summit crater lakes of varying colors namely Wine Red, Green, and Dark Blue. The other two lakes, Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) is green and Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) is red, bother are divided by a crater wall. The lake colors vary from time to time due to the active upwelling of subaqueous fumaroles at the two eastern lakes. After an earthquake in 1992 the level of the lakes dropped and changed color overnight to their current configuration of green, chocolate and black. This special characteristic of the lake water gives it nickname "The Three Colored Lake."

2/10 Rp2500: Fuji Mountain
At 3,776m, Fuji Mountain is the highest mountain in Japan and also an active volcano whose last recorded eruption was in 1707-1708. The mountain straddles the boundary of Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures just west of Tokyo. Its symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is a frequent subject of Japanese art. The summit has been thought of as sacred since ancient times. Today, it is a popular tourist destination and common destination for mountain-climbing. On the stamp, it is depicted with Sakura (Cherry blossoms), another symbol of Japan, on the foreground, makes it picture-perfect. Due to its height, the climate on the summit is very cold and for a couple of months of the year, the cone is covered by snow. On a clear day, the mountain can be seen from Tokyo, Yokohama, and sometimes even as far as Chiba.

3/10 Rp2500: Borobudur Temple
Borobudur, located in central Java, is the largest and the most glorious Buddhist monument in the world. No wonder if this temple is acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 42m high structure (forming a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha) was built on a bedrock hill in the form of three tiers: six square platforms, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the center top, a monumental stupa surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa. The monument is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The length of each lowest part is 113 meters. It is of uncertain age, but thought to have been built between the 8th and 9th century during the ruling of Syailendra Dynasty. Following the decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java in the 14th century, the temple was abandoned and buried for centuries and was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Raffles, the British ruler of Java. Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations.

4/10 Rp2500: Pagoda of Toji
Pagoda of Toji (Eastern Temple) is located in North Western Kyoto, often called as the Five-Story Pagoda of Toji, which refers to its architecture. The temple is most eye-catching, most important and best-known building in Kyoto. Toji (Kyo-o-Gokoku-Ji or Nation Protector) was built in 796, two years after Kammu emperor removed the empire capital city from Nara to Kyoto. Since 1994 UNESCO designated Toji a World Heritage Site. The five-story pagoda, with 57m high is the highest wooden tower in Japan. Fires and wars during the 16th century destroyed most of the temple buildings. It was reconstructed in 1634 and 1695 after burned down five times.

5/10 Rp2500: Corpse Flower (Rafflesia arnoldii)
This plant was first discovered on 20 May 1818 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles who was also a naturalist and Dr. Joseph Arnold at the bank of Manna River, Lubuktapi Bengkulu. This parasitic plant was named after its two discoverers. It naturally grows in the rain forests of Sumatra and Kalimantan. This plant has no visible roots, stems or leaves. It blooms as a single fleshy flower which is the only part of the plant that appears above the ground. This magnificently colorful flower is both strange and baffling. The gigantic flower is the amazing thing about this plant. The flower is approximately one meter, weighs up to 7kg with the thickness of 2.5cm. it takes about six to eight months for the flower to fully bloom. It is the largest flower in the world according to the Guiness Book of Records. The flower appearance is very adorable, but the smell is putrid. That is the way to attract a large group of carrion flies that pollinate the plant. The putrid smell also makes it commonly referred to as the "corpse flower". (Note: The common name "corpse flower" also refers to the Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanium) from Araceae family.

6/10 Rp2500: Sakura (Cherry Blossoms)
Despite being a symbol of Japan, Cherry Blossoms or Sakura (Prunus serrulata) with its wide variety (Yoshino Cherry being the most well-known) actually grows in a wider area. It is indigenous to the Himalayas, including northern India, and several Eastern Asia regions such as China and Korea. The blossoming time of Sakura has become a special moment for Japanese. They pay close attention to the forecasts and turn out in large numbers at parks, shrines, and temples with friends and family to hold flower-viewing parties (this activity is called Hanami). It is the time when the imperial households, poets, singers, other aristocrats and people from every walk of life would gather and celebrate under the blossoms. The custom of hanami dates back many centuries before in China, where the object was plum tree; by the middle of the ninth century, Sakura had replaced the plum as the favored species in Japan. The blossoming time is not same in all places. In southern region like Okinawa it begins in January and reaches Kyoto and Tokyo at the end of March. It proceeds northward and arrives in Hokkaido a few weeks later.

7/10 Rp2500: Angklung
Angklung is popular throughout Southeast Asia, but originated from Indonesia (used and played by the Sundanese in West Java since the ancient times). This traditional musical instrument is made out of bamboo tubes attached loosely to a bamboo frame. The tubes are carved and formed into different sizes so that they have different resonant pitch when struck. The bamboo tubes are formed upright towards its base, the upper parts are tied up on a rattan or small bamboo stick. To play this instrument, the player holds the base tightly with the left hand and shakes it rapidly with the right hand. This causes a rapidly repeating note to sound. Every frame of Angklung usually consists of 3 or 4 bamboo tubes, each of them produces different musical note. When it is shaken, Angklung will produce fast repeatedly sound. In an ensemble a player only plays one note, and since there are many players, together they will produce complete melodies.

8/10 Rp2500: GakuBiwa
GakuBiwa is a four-string musical instrument used in traditional musical repertory, Gagaku. It is said that this instrument originated from Persia, crossed the Asian continent, through China and entered Japan with the introduction of Gagaku. In the Middle Ages Biwa was played solo by the Buddhist priests to tell stories and give advices. But this solo repertory has vanished, leaving only legends behind. The upper part of the body is made from rosewood, mulberry or zelkova and the surface is made of chestnut wood. The pegs for the strings are low and small, which distinguishes the gaku biwa from more modern types of biwa like the Satsuma and the Chikuaen biwa. The plectrum is made of boxwood and is thin and around 20cm long. The four strings of Gaku-Biwa are made of silk.

9/10 Rp2500: Red Arowana (Selerophages formosus)
The name "Arwana" is derived from "Nirwana" (literally means heaven), becomes Arowana in English, and also known as aruanas or arawanas. Other nicknames are bonytongue fish, dragon fish, especially due to its large scales and barbells. For many people, Arowana is the most beautiful freshwater fish. For the Chinese and those of related cultures, the dragon is a symbol of good luck and prosperity. The fish lives in swamps and in slow-current streams. Young individuals feed on insects at the water surface, adults prey on other fishes; it is said that they can jump to prey low flying bats and small birds. Arowanas are also used for feng shui to bring good luck and wealth. The fish population gives both good or bad effects towards its status as the species that is almost extinct. Arowana has pretty big size (it can grow around 75cm), hardy and has long life period (for about 20 years). There are many Arowana species classified based on the colors of the scales, namely Green, Silver, Red tail, Yellow tail, and Golden back. Its habitat is wide; the Red Arowana depicted on the stamp, however, is known only from the upper part of the Kapuas River in western Kalimantan, Indonesia.

10/10 Rp2500: Colored Carp Fish (Cyprinus carpio)
This colorful and beautiful member of the carp family is called Koi or nishikigoi in Japanese (simply means "crap") and can easily be found in the pond at Japanese gardens. The beauty of the fish is appraised by their most important feature, the markings and patterns. In Japan, koi breeding has occupied a position between hobby and art form for more than two centuries. The ornamental cultivation of Koi started in 17th century in the Niigata prefecture. In the beginning of 19th century they became more popular and several color patterns had been formed, most notably red-and-white. The outside world became aware of its development in 1914, when Niigata Koi were exhibited in Tokyo and some were presented to then Crown Prince Hirohito. Since then, the interest in Koi spread throughout Jpan and then worldwide. Koi varieties are distinguished by coloration, patterning, and scalation. Generally Koi have one to three different colors. Some of the major colors that often emerge are White, Yellow, Orange, Red, Black, and Blue. Spots patterns are various; however, the most sought-after patterns are round on forehead and stepping stone on its low back.

Comment: This is a Japan and Indonesia joint issue set. Indonesia Post issued it on 15th April, but Japan will issue it in June. It's really interesting.

China Stamp: 2008-10

China Stamps
Name: The Summer Palace
Number: 2008-10
Date of Issue: 10 May 2008
Value: 6 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan (6-1): Shiqikong Bridge (Seventeen-Arch Bridge)
1.20 Yuan (6-2): Long Corridor
1.20 Yuan (6-3): The Marble Boat
1.20 Yuan (6-4): Garden of Harmonious Interests
1.20 Yuan (6-5): Yudai Bridge (Jade Belt Bridge)
1.20 Yuan (6-6): Back Lake

The Summer Palace or Yi he yuan (traditional Chinese: 頤和園; simplified Chinese: 颐和园; literally "Garden of Nurtured Harmony") is a palace in Beijing, China. The Summer Palace is mainly dominated by Longevity Hill (60 meters high) and the Kunming Lake. It covers an expanse of 2.9 square kilometers, three quarters of which is water. The central Kunming Lake covering 2.2 square kilometers was entirely man made and the excavated soil was used to build Longevity Hill. In its compact 70,000 square meters of building space, one finds a variety of palaces, gardens, and other classical-style architectural structures.

The Summer Palace started out life as the Garden of Clear Ripples (traditional Chinese: 清漪園; simplified Chinese: 清漪园) in 1750 (Reign Year 15 of Emperor Qianlong). Artisans reproduced the garden architecture styles of various palaces in China. Kunming Lake was created by extending an existing body of water to imitate the West Lake in Hangzhou. The palace complex suffered two major attacks--during the Anglo-French allied invasion of 1860 (with the Old Summer Palace also ransacked at the same time), and during the Boxer Rebellion, in an attack by the eight allied powers in 1900. The garden survived and was rebuilt in 1886 and 1902. In 1888, it was given the current name, Yihe Yuan. It served as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi, who diverted 30 million taels of silver, said to be originally designated for the Chinese navy (Beiyang Fleet), into the reconstruction and enlargement of the Summer Palace. More...

Official Website of The Summer Palace

2008-10 The Summer Palace Stamps
2008-10 The Summer Palace Souvenir Sheet

Japan Philately Week FDC

Japan FDC
Name: Philately Week
Date of Issue: 18 April 2008

Comment: "Philately Week" is a regular series in every year. Japan Post always uses traditional painting for this series, and it is always depicts an animal which is the main role animal of China Lunar Zodiac in this year. Obviously, you could find a rat on this set.

Philippines Mouse FDC

Philippines FDC
Name: Rats and Mice of Luzon Island
Date of Issue: 07 March 2008

Designs:
P7: Luzon furry-tailed rat (Batomys granti)
P7: Cordillera stripeo earth-rat (Chrotomys whiteheadi)
P7: Cordillera forest mouse (Apomys datae)
P7: Cordillera shrew-mouse (Archboldomys sp.)

These rats and mouse are found only in the Philippines. The Cordillera shrew-mouse (Archboldomys sp.) was only discovered on March 30, 2000, and described in 2006.

China Pre-stamped Envelope JF90

China Pre-stamped Envelope
Name: International Forum on Climate Change and Science & Technology Innovation
Number: JF90
Date of Issue: 24 April 2008

Climate change is a serious challenge that all countries are facing. Science and technology is fundamental to address this issue effectively. In order to facilitate international S&T exchange and cooperation, identify effective ways, and promote the establishment of a fair and reasonable international regime and cooperation mechanism to combat climate change, relevant ministries of Chinese Government and international organizations jointly hold the International Forum on Climate Change and Science & Technology Innovation during 24-25 April 2008 in Beijing. As the first high level international conference on climate change hosted by Chinese Government, the forum indicates the great resolution and confidence of Chinese Government, together with international community, to actively address climate change through S&T advancement, and to make new contribution to protect the global climate.

China Stamp: 2008-12

China Stamps
Name: Olympic Expo Beijing 2008
Number: 2008-12
Date of Issue: 30 April 2008
Value: 2 stamps/set

Denominations:
1.20 Yuan (2-1): Inheriting Olympic Spirit
1.20 Yuan (2-2): Inspiring Beijing City

Olympic Expo Beijing 2008-Olympex (Chinese: 北京2008年奥林匹克博览会; Abbreviation: OEB 2008) is the first Olympic Cultural Event jointly sponsored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), and China Post Group, and organized by China Post Group. OEB 2008 will be an international Olympic cultural event with the greatest scope, widest coverage and highest level in the Olympic history.

With "Inheriting Olympic Spirit, Inspiring Beijing City" as its theme, OEB 2008 will intensively display the Olympic Movement and the Olympic history, and promote Olympic movement and culture. By showcasing Olympic stamps, coins, pins and works of arts, OEB 2008 will enhance people's understanding of the Olympic value of "Friendship, Respect, Excellence", as well as the Olympic spirit of "Faster, Higher, Stronger". As a platform for international culture exchange, OEB 2008 will fully demonstrate the three concepts of "Green Olympic, High-Tech Olympic and People's Olympic". OEB 2008 will serve as a window through which the rest of the world will have a better understanding of Olympic culture and China, so the friendship and cooperation between the peoples in the world will be further deepened.

OEB 2008 will be held in Beijing Exhibition Centre, coinciding with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. We will strive to make all the preparatory work with great enthusiasm. We are looking forward to meeting friends from all over the world in Beijing.

Official Website of Olympic Expo Beijing 2008

Lithuania Museum FDC

Lithuania FDC
Name: From the Stocks of Museums, Rokiškis Regional Museum
Date of Issue: 19 April 2008

In 1933 a couple people gathered and formed an association of Folklore. They established a museum in two rooms of Rokiškis region library. Already in 1939 the funds of the museum contained 1046 valuable articles. Some years passed and the museum was moved to Rokiškis palace, but later on it was transformed to another place. Only in 1952 the museum was returned to the palace where it exists up to this day.

In the newly renovated Rokiškis palace the museum exhibits history of Rokiškis region, the culture of the palaces found in the region. One of the extensive exhibitions – the carvings of Lionginas Šepka, a craftsman of carved gods.

To continue old traditions of cultural activity in Rokiškis palace, numerous concerts of classical music, evenings, meetings, exhibitions, plain-air sessions, traditional wood carving competitions take place in this palace and its surroundings.

In 2001 Government of Lithuanian Republic announced the area of Rokiškis palace to belong to the sites of cultural heritage. In the program, called 1000 years of Lithuania, the museum of Rokiškis region is named as the cultural center for the whole Aukštaitija region.

Comment: Lithuania Post issues some beautiful series stamps every year, this is the first set in 2008. I like this FDC, Lithuania Post didn't rip off the beautiful coupons from the sheetlet.

From the Stocks of Museums Series FDCs:
2007 Trakai History Museum
2008 Rokiškis Regional Museum
2009 Palanga Amber Museum

Algeria Football FDC

Algeria FDC
Name: 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of the National Freeing Front Football Team
Date of Issue: 12 April 2008

The resolutions taken during the Soummam Congress stipulated the creation of a number of organizations recovering from the National Freeing Front.

As a result to these resolutions, the Algerian Muslim students General Union was founded in July 1955 and the Algerian Workers General Union was established in February 1958.
The Algerian Freeing Front considered as important to establish a sport organization which will bear the National Freeing Front's name and represent the country in the international events.

However, the decision to form a football team constituted of the Algerian players evolving in the French championship was made. The National Freeing Front launched an appeal to all players asking them to join the Revolution ranks.

After the Algerian players had left France to Tunisian territories on April 12th, 1958, the Algerian national team of football, under the control of the National Freeing Front was established.

Since the entire world was following carefully the preparing of the Sweden football world cup during the year 1958, the appeal launched by the Freeing Front engendered a great media echo.

Directed by "Boumezrag", the team represented the Algerian cause to the international level. It participated in 91 tournaments and matches in the following capitals: Tunis, Tripoli, Rabat, Baghdad, Oman, Moscow, Beijing, Budapest, Warsaw, Belgrade, Hanoi and Prague and also in other countries in which it succeeded in carrying high the Algerian standard.

The National Freeing Front football team won 67 matches. It registered 15 tied games and lost 07 matches only. It continued to play and to militate until the recovering of the independence of the country.

The same team was considered as the core of the Algerian football team constituted later.

The National Freeing Front football team was composed of the following players:
MAKHLOUFI Rachid – BOURTAL Hacène – CHABRI Hacène – HADDAD Said–BENTIFOUR Abdelaziz – MAZZOUZ Abdelkader – BOUMEZRAG Mohamed El Mokrani – BENFEDDA Ali – ZITOUNI Mustapha – BOUCHOUK Abdelhamid– ZOUBA Abdelhamid – MAOUCHE Mohamed – BOUBAKEUR Abderrahmane– KERROUM Abdelkrim – BRAHIMI Said – BOUCHACH Cherif – DOUDOU Ali- BOUCHACH Hocine – BOURICHA Mohamed – BEKHLOUFI Keddour – KERMALI Abdelhamid – DEFNOUN Dahmane – SOUKANE Mohamed – ARIBI Mokhtar– OUALIKENE Mokrane SOUKANE Abderrahmane–ROUAI Amar–OUDJANI Ahmed IBRIR Smaine IBRIR Abderrahmane – HEDHOUD Abdallah dit SETTATI AMARA Said, and sirs TALEB Chaib, ALEM Mohamed and FERROUKHI Mustapha were designated as political chiefs.

Comment: This is my first real posted FDC from Africa. I like it very much not only these players should be respected and remembered but also Algeria Post uses a suitable S/S to depict this issue. It's difficult to depict all of players on the stamps, but for a S/S, it becomes easy.

Russia Olympic Games FDC

Russia FDC
Name: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Date of Issue: 15 April 2008
There are many sport events on this set, from top strip to bottom strip:
1st strip: Volleyball, Badminton
2nd strip: Swimming, Canoe / kayak, Synchronised swimming, Water Polo
3rd strip: Boxing, Pommel horse, Rhythmic gymnastics, Equestrian, Marathon, High Jump, Weightlifting
4th strip: Sailing, Diving, Javelin, Fencing, Tennis, Taekwondo, Baseball
5th strip: Basketball, Floor exercise or Balance beam?, Shooting, Cycling, Wrestling, Pole vault, Archery
6th strip: Hockey, Hurdle, Trampolin, Football, Rings
7th strip: Beach volleyball, Handball

Comment: it has a mistake on this set. Players don't wear the hugo in Taekwondo match?

Estonia 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Gold Medalist Autographed FDC
Estonia 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Silver Medalists Autographed Postal Stationery

2008 Beijing Olympic Games FDCs:
Algeria, Belarus, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Estonia Sheetlet, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Hong Kong M/S, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Portugal M/S, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Ukraine.

2008 Beijing Paralympic Games FDCs:
Czech Republic, Slovakia.