On May 9, Posti will release a new Europa stamp sheet that depicts Finnish nature with a special focus on bridge landscapes. This year’s congratulatory stamps bear delicate flowers by the beloved stamp and postcard artist Minna Immonen.
European bridges from Humppila and Suomussalmi
The theme of the 2018 Europa stamps is bridges. All European postal operators will publish stamps on the bridges theme, and the public will select their favorite stamp sheet by vote. There will also be a jury that will select its own favorite. In 2017, the Finnish Snowcastle stamp was selected as the best stamp in the Europa series.
For this theme, Posti will publish a stamp sheet designed by Klaus Welp. The two stamps in the stamp sheet depict a wooden bridge in the middle of an agricultural landscape in Humppila and a wilderness bridge in Suomussalmi.
“These sympathetic and unique bridges that represent our national landscapes will definitely stand out from among the grand bridges of European metropolises,” says Tommi Kantola, Design Manager at Posti.
EUROPA: The Bridges stamp sheet has 10 domestic no-value indicator stamps.
Hannu Laatunen, who took the photograph of the wooden bridge, had driven by the place often, waiting for the right kind of light. Juha Härkönen photographed the wilderness bridge at a lake called Seitenahveninen at sunset.
Congratulations with flowers by Minna Immonen
The delightful themes on the stamps that are illustrated by the beloved Minna Immonen include the Veitch's peony, a hydrangea, a poppy, a harebell and a daisy. The stamps are perfect for greetings and convey sensitivity, joy, Finnishness and of course happiness.
Johanna Rouhe, Product Manager at Posti, believes that traditional ways of congratulating are more special than electronic messages, which are short-lived and mundane.
“A traditional postcard feels more personal than an electronic greeting, and it has the ability to touch us emotionally. A postcard or a letter stands out, takes the recipient by surprise and gives them a reason for joy. It can strengthen the relationship between the sender and the recipient, making it feel more special and important.”
The Congratulations flowers stamp sheet has 15 domestic no-value indicator stamps. In addition to the stamps, five flower-themed postcards by Immonen are also available for sale in Posti’s online shop.
First day event at Helsinki Main Post Office on May 9 at 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
The first day event will be organized at Helsinki Main Post Office (Elielinaukio 2, Helsinki), on Wednesday May 9, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. New stamps, first day covers and other stamp products will be on sale at the event, and visitors can get first day postmarks on their items.
Artists Minna Immonen and Klaus Welp will sign their works between from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, the Finnish Postcrossing Friends association will introduce postcrossing as a hobby at the event.
All stamps available for sale are featured in Posti’s online shop:
