Belarus 2022

Belarus

Date of Issue: 6th May 2022

two stamps (2x P value)

both stamps are issued in a souvenir-sheet of 4 stamps (2 stamps of each)

both stamps are issued in mini-sheets of 5 stamps

 

 

Lesovik - The Leshy is a tutelary deity of the forests in pagan Slavic mythology. As the spirit rules over the forest and hunting, he may be related to the Slavic god Porewit.

The Leshy is masculine and humanoid in shape, is able to assume any likeness and can change in size and height. He is known by some to have a propensity to lead travellers astray and abduct children, which would lead some to believe he is an evil entity. He is, however, also known to have a more neutral disposition towards humans, dependent on the attitudes and behaviours of an individual person, or local population, towards the forest. Leshy could take children who were cursed by their relatives (in particular, parents) away to the forest people. Some would therefore describe him as more of a temperamental being, like a fairy.

The Leshy is known by a variety of names and spellings including : Lesovik (Russian: Лесовик, Belarusian: Лесавік, Ukrainian: Лісовик, Serbo-Croatian: Lesovik, Лесовик). Source Wikipedia

Rusalka - In Slavic folklore, the rusalka is a typically feminine entity, often malicious toward mankind and frequently associated with water, with counterparts in other parts of Europe, such as the French Melusine and the Germanic Nixie. Folklorists have proposed a variety of origins for the entity, including that they may originally stem from Slavic paganism, where they may have been seen as benevolent spirits. Rusalki appear in a variety of media in modern popular culture, particularly in Slavic language-speaking countries, where they frequently resemble the concept of the mermaid. 

In Belarus they were linked with the forest and field. They were usually pictured as beautiful naked maidens, but in some areas they were imagined as hideous and hairy. They were said to tickle men to death. According to some Russian beliefs, rusalki had the appearance of very pale little girls with green hair and long arms. In other beliefs, they were described as naked girls with light brown hair. Source Wikipedia

Malta 2022

Malta

Date of Issue: 9th May 2022

two stamps (0.59 & 2.- €)

 

both stamps are issued in mini-sheets of 11 stamps + 1 vignettes

 

the 0.59 € value stamp is also issued in a booklet of 5 stamps + 1 vignette

The Legend of Calypso - As the legend narrates, Ulysses' ship was hit by a violent storm, causing him to be the only survivor of his shipwreck. After a few days of clutching a broken mast, he spied land and swimming towards it, found food, water, flowers, and beautiful girls.

The nymph Calypso appeared from within a cave giving him food and shelter. Ulysses spent a good many years, "....in heaven with a queen..." as the legend goes, but others have speculated that he was her captive. But after a number of years, it was time to return home and he prayed to the gods to help him. After much persuasion Calypso reluctantly let him go, giving him, food, water, and sails for his boat. If you head to Ramla l-Hamra beach, you can spot Calypso's Cave up within the rock face. One version of the legend places Calypso on the island of Ogygia (Sicily), however the renowned Greek historian Callimachus places it on Gozo, Malta's sister island.

Legend of Speranza Cave - According to the book Naghrfu l-Leggendi Maltin by Guido Lanfranco, the legend recounts how while a young girl was gathering grass in Mosta field, she heard voices in the distance, only to then be chased by two corsairs. She was far from home and needed a hiding place fast, so she took shelter in a nearby cave.

While praying to Our Lady for salvation, a spider began weaving a web all across the cave's entrance. As a result of this the corsairs did not enter the cave assuming that the young girl could not possibly be in there.

In his commentary, Guido Lanfranco shares that the chapel at Wied Speranza was completed in 1761. It's well taken care of, and a feast is celebrated each November. The popular cave is situated beneath the chapel, with a statue that depicts the girl praying on her knees, along with statues of Sts. John and Luke.

Serbia 2022

Serbia

Date of Issue: 6th May 2022

one souvenir-sheet (85.- RSD)

 

 

The Drekavac is also depicted on the 2022 Europa stamps issue of the Serb post of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Drekavac (literally, the Shrieker) is a creature from the mythology of the South Slavs, especially represented in the mythology of the Serbs. The name of this creature comes from the verb drečati, which means to shriek or scream. Legends mention that it produces frightening cries that resemble those of children, howling wolves, bleating male goats, meowing cats or screeching birds. These cries, it is believed, can make a person deaf.

Folk beliefs also say that Drekavac is like a vampire, a material manifestation of the soul of the deceased who cannot find its peace after death, so it comes out of the grave at night and torments those who have wronged them in life. According to other legends, Drekavac is the manifest form of the soul of a dead, unbaptized child, who comes out of its grave at night and visits its parents' house.

In the description of Drekavac, it is most often mentioned that it is a demonic being, covered with long fur, which it constantly treads on and because of that he shrieks. It has large and sharp nails on its fingers, resembling claws, and it is believed that it is capable of shapeshifting.

These creatures inhabit caves, forests, ponds, rivers and willows, and can be found only at night, near cemeteries or forests. They are very afraid of daylight and dogs. They attack people who find themselves near a cemetery or forest at night, by jumping on their backs, riding them, and forcing them to run all night, until the first roosters. When the first roosters crow, Drekavac pushes its prey away by the road or the forest, and leaves it lying there.

Legends say that Drekavac is the most dangerous for people in the period of the so-called "Unbaptized days", from Orthodox Christmas to the Epiphany, when they are most often encountered.

NOTE : The Drekavac is also depicted on the 2022 Europa stamps issue of the Serb post of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Spain 2022

Spain

Date of Issue: 9th May 2022

one stamp (Tarifa B value = 1.65 €)
 

 This stamp is issued in sheets of 25 stamps and also in a mini-sheet of 6 stamps

The sleeping dragon of Mallorca - In the southwest of the island of Mallorca lies the legendary island of Sa Dragonera. The island is about four kilometres long and one kilometre wide.

Between the 14th and 16th centuries it served as a hideout for corsairs, pirates and smugglers.

A Natural Park since 1995, home to species such as the extinct monk seal, today it is inhabited by some twenty endemic species such as Eleonora's falcons, cormorants and seagulls, which build their nests on its high cliffs.

Also, in line with the myth that surrounds it, there are many small "dragons", guardians of the area: the sargantanas or Lilford's lizards, a species endemic to Mallorca and Menorca. They are similar to geckos and during the warmer months they can be seen as soon as they land on the most uninhabited islands in the area.

Sa Dragonera takes its name from its silhouette. If you fly over the island, the image leaves no room for doubt, showing the figure of a sleeping dragon.

The legend of the dragon speaks of this mythological animal, snakes and all kinds of reptiles that protect Mallorca from unwanted invaders.

Hungary 2022

Hungary

Date of Issue: 2nd May 2022

two stamps (2x 715.- HUF) issued in one souvenir-sheet of 4 stamps (2 of each)

The tale of the white horse is one of the myths and legends about how the land of Hungary was acquired dating from the time the Magyar tribes settled in the Carpathian Basin. This was passed down by oral tradition for centuries until it was recorded in writing. Several sources have survived about this story. The legend of the white horse was included by Anonymus in his historical work, but it is also mentioned in the Buda and Dubnica Chronicles. The most complete story is preserved in the Illuminated Chronicle, written at the end of the 13th century. According to the legend, when the chieftain Árpád and his nobles heard of the wealth of Pannonia, they sent an envoy with the most beautiful steed from Árpád’s stable, a white horse, as a present to the prince of the province, Svatopluk. In exchange the envoy asked for a canteen of water from the Danube, a handful of soil and some grass from the meadows. Little did Svatopluk realise that by giving these he was actually handing over the right to the land. The story goes that the Hungarian chieftains were exploiting an ancient eastern custom which was based on the belief that the soil, dust or any other object taken from a country, settlement or house would place that country or area under the power of its enemy. Árpád then entered Pannonia with the seven chieftains, not as a guest, but as the rightful owner of the land.

Cyprus (Turkish post) 2022

Cyprus (Turkish post)

Date of Issue: 9th May 2022

two stamps (6.- & 10.75 TRY)

both stamps are also issued in mini-sheets of 8 stamps

Karakiz - In the early days of the Ottoman Empire, shepherds used to wander only during the day on the rock to the east of Kyrenia. No one would dare to go there at night, believing that this area is unlucky and gathering place for jinn at night. A shepherd herding cattle here had a very beautiful daughter known as Karakiz. Karakiz’s favourite thing was to bathe in this bay. Young shepherds who visited that region fell in love with her because of her beauty. A rich shepherd’s son liked her and had his parents ask her father to give his daughter as a bride. Since Karakiz liked him, the wedding preparations started. On the day of her wedding, Karakiz got bored with the heat of the wedding dress she wore and the veil on her head, so she went down the bay to have a bath and relax. After she took off her wedding dress of the shore, she went into the sea with her veil. Legend has it that there was an eye (whirlpool) at the bottom of the big rock in the bay that opened certain times and closed after swallowing everything there. Just when Karakiz entered the sea, that eye opened and swallowed her : the body was never found. Only her veil was found near the shore, and it was given to the groom as a souvenir. From that day on, the rocky area was called "Karakiz’s lair", while the bay to the west of this area was named "Karakiz bay".

Pygmalion and Galatea - The ancient city of Carpasia was a harbour town located on the coast, 4 km west of today’s Dipkarpaz village. It was established as a city-state during Pagan times, before Christianity. Today, it is possible to see the fortification walls and columns of the palace in the clear waters of the sea. The legendary king Pygmalion, who founded this city, had an artistic character. He decorated his palace with his own carved marble sculptures. He wasn’t satisfied with the surrounding women, but was waiting for his ideal : his queen. One day, he began to carve a beautiful woman, sculpted from snow-white marble. Day by day, Pygmalion fell in love with his own carved sculpture. Each day, his love grew deeper. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, took pity on Pygmalion and want to end his sorrow. One day, when the king hugged the sculpture, he realized that it had come to life ; that his creation had colour in its cheeks, and was looking at him lovingly. He gave the fair-skinned woman the name "Galatea, which means "as white as milk". He married her, and they had a son named Paphos. Years passed, and the King said to his son : Dear son, I have established a kingdom at the very easternmost point of the island. Go to the west and found your own kingdom. It is believed that the city of Paphos or Baf, was founded by and named after Paphos, the son of King Pygmalion.

NOTE : the stamps issued by the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus aren't recognized on an international level, not by the UPU nor by PostEurop.

Croatia 2022

Croatia

Date of Issue: 9th May 2022

two stamps (2x B value = 2x 8.60 HRK)

 

Both stamps are issued se-tenant in a sheet of 16 stamps (8 of each stamp)

 

Our ancestors believed the universe around them was divided into two basic elements, according to which they divided everything that exists into heaven and earth. Up and down. Light and darkness. What connected the heaven and the earth was the vast "Tree of the World" as the axis that held everything together.

Moldova 2022

Moldova

Date of Issue: 29th April 2022

two stamps (9.50 & 11.- MDL)

 

both stamps are issued in mini-sheets of 10 stamps

both stamps are issued in a booklet of 6 stamps (3 stamps of each + 2 vignettes)

NOTE : the Legend of the Moldavian Aurochs is also used by Romania on their 2022 Europa issue

Estonia 2022

Estonia

Date of Issue: 5th of May 2022

two stamps (2x 1.90 €)

both stamps are issued in mini-sheets of 8 stamps with a large vignette in the centre

The stamps depict the painting ‘Tiritamme kasvatamine’ (‘Doing a headstand’) and the tapestry design ‘Siuru-lindu Kalevipojast’ (‘The Siuru bird from Kalevipoeg’) by the artist Oskar Kallis.

Kalevipoeg is a mythical hero in Estonian folklore, which contains many legends and stories about a mighty man named Kalevipoeg. The legends of Kalevipoeg, together with runic folk songs, were the subject for Friedrich Robert Faehlmann and Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald while preparing and writing the epic Kalevipoeg in the nineteenth century.

Kalevipoeg is considered to be one of the most important works of Estonian literature, and its motifs have later been used by many artists, composers, and writers. The work also played an important role in the development of Estonian national self-awareness.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Serb post) 2022

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Serb post)

Date of Issue: 11th May 2022

two stamps (1.95 & 2.70 BAM)

both stamps are issued in two mini-sheets of 8 stamps + 1 vignette

 

both stamps are also issued in a booklet of 4 stamps (stamps are different in the booklet)

Baba Roga - In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga is a supernatural being (or one of a trio of sisters of the same name) who appears as a deformed and/or ferocious-looking woman. In fairy tales Baba Yaga flies around in a mortar, wields a pestle, and dwells deep in the forest in a hut usually described as standing on chicken legs. Baba Yaga may help or hinder those that encounter or seek her out and may play a maternal role; she has associations with forest wildlife. 

Similarities between Baba Yaga and other beings in folklore may be due to either direct relation or cultural contact between the Eastern Slavs and other surrounding peoples. In Central and Eastern Europe, these figures include the Bulgarian gorska maika (Горска майка', 'Forest Mother', also the name of a flower); the Hungarian vasorrú bába ('Iron-nose Midwife'), the Serbian Baba Korizma, Gvozdenzuba ('Iron-tooth'), Baba Roga (used to scare children in Bosnia, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia), šumska majka ('Forest Mother'), and the babice; and the Slovenian jaga baba or ježibaba, Pehta or Pehtra baba and kvatrna baba or kvatrnica. In Romanian folklore, similarities have been identified in several figures, including Mama padurii ('Forest Mother'). In neighboring Germanic Europe, similarities have been observed between the Alpine Perchta and Holda or Holle in the folklore of Central and Northern Germany, and the Swiss Chlungeri. Source Wikipedia

Drekavac, (literally "the screamer") is a mythical creature in South Slavic mythology.

A modern description of a supposed drekavac describes it as a canine creature similar to a dog.

The drekavac was originally thought to have come from the souls of sinful men, or from children who died unbaptised.

It was popularly believed to be visible only at night, especially during the twelve days of Christmas (called unbaptised days in Serbo-Croatian) and in early spring, when other demons and mythical creatures were believed to be more active. When assuming the form of a child, it predicts someone's death, while in its animal form, it predicts cattle disease. The drekavac is believed to avoid dogs and bright light. Also, it is believed that if the shadow of drekavac falls upon some person then that person will turn sick and die. Source Wikipedia

 NOTE : Drekavac is also depcited on the 2022 Europa stamp issue of Serbia.

Cyprus 2022

Cyprus

Date of Issue: 6th May 2022

two stamps (0.34 & 0.64 €)

both stamps are also issued in mini sheets of 8 stamps

 

both stamps are also issued in one booklet of 8 stamps (4 of each) - stamps from the booklet aren't perforated on one side

The Secret Treasure of Regina - Regina, namely the Queen, is a mysterious person mentioned in several myths and legends of Cyprus.

Some of these legends are connected to the castle of Vufavendo, in which, according to tradition, Regina hid her treasures in one of its 101 rooms.

One of the legends states that every night on which the Resurrection of Christ was celebrated, a secret door would open for a short period of time through which someone could gain access to Regina's room containing the treasures.

On one night of the Resurrection of Christ, a shepherd entered the room, but the door closed before he could collect the treasures.

The shepherd had a pomegranate with him and by eating a piece every day he was kept alive until the following year when on the night of the Resurrection the secret door opened and he gained his freedom.

 

The legend of Digenis Akritas - Digenis Akritas was the most courageous of all the Akrites, who guarded the borders of Byzantium. They caused fear and terror to the Saracens who came from the mountains of Central Asia.

The giant stone that dominates the sea and is called "Petra tou Romiou", is associated with the legend of Digenes Akritas, from whom the area took its name.

According to legend, Digenis Akritas, the legendary Byzantine hero, during the 7th - 10th century, in order to repel the Saracen Arabs, who were preparing to plunder the area, grabbed onto the mountain range of Kyrenia by his one hand as a result of which it took the shape and the name Pentadaktylos (meaning five fingers) and with his other hand lifted a huge rock (the Stone of Romios – Petra tou Romiou) and threw it into the sea against the Saracens who left fleeing.

Europa stamps themes 2023-2025

Europe

And here are the themes for 2023 & 2025 :

• 2023 - "PEACE - the highest value of humanity" (common design)

• 2024 - "Underwater Fauna & Flora" (postponed to 2024 from 2023)

• 2025 - "National Archaeological Discoveries" (postponed to 2025 from 2024)

• PostEurop's press release announcing the choice of themes for 2024 and 2025.
• PostEuro's press release announcing the change of theme for 2023

Following the decision of the Extraordinary PostEurop Board of Directors meeting held on 25 April 2022, the 2023 EUROPA Stamp theme will be “PEACE – the highest value of humanity” as proposed by Ukrposhta in order “to show solidarity with Ukraine and to promote the universal value for all humanity – peace”.

The 2023 EUROPA Stamps theme “PEACE – the highest value of humanity” will be based on a common design motif to be selected via a design competition.