On March 13, Posti will release four new stamp publications with a total of 11 different stamps. A reissue of the world’s best stamp will also be available.
Easter is a good time to remember friends and loved ones with a postcard. Artist Virpi Pekkala designed this year’s Easter stamps which include cheerful illustrations and figures that many will recognize from thousands of postcards.
Pekkala says that she does not merely do illustrations, but rather wants to tell a small story. This also applies to the Easter games stamps. In the first stamp, a witch is swinging on a willow catkin so enthusiastically that she is about to fly off. In the other stamp, a bunny is surprised when a chick hatches from an Easter egg load during transport.
Virpi Pekkala started making cards full-time for her own company in 1980. In addition to postcards, her illustrations can be found in calendars, gift wrapping, paper bags, textiles, fridge magnets and napkins, among other things. She is also responsible for the Christmas stamps of 2003, Easter stamps of 2005 and the summer-themed stamps of 2006.
In 2003, the biggest fans of Virpi Pekkala’s popular illustrations founded a club that actively promotes good postcard etiquette and attracts interest towards Pekkala’s visual production.
Easter Games will be issued as a 10-stamp sheet containing 2 different domestic no-value indicator stamp designs.
Manga-style Japanese cultural influences
This year, Finland and Japan celebrate the centennial of their diplomatic relations. To honor the anniversary, Posti is releasing stamps that depict how Japanese cultural influences have become part of everyday life in Finland. The Japanese Influences stamps include karaoke and sushi. Reima Mäkinen, a graphic artist specializing in comics, has created the stamps inspired by Japanese manga.
“I was looking for edginess and a positive vibe with both the colors and the body language of the girl and boy figures. The black outlines highlight the comic book style of the stamps. It was interesting to combine comics, which is considered a subculture, to the traditional formality of stamps,” Mäkinen says.
Japanese Influences will be issued as a 10-stamp sheet containing 2 different international no-value indicator stamp designs.
Flower arrangements are floral art
Last year, Posti organized a design competition with the theme of ‘Floral Art’ for florists. The top three works from the competition are now published as stamps. The stamps include Kukkapäähine and Kukkakaulakoru by master florist Pirjo Koppi from Espoo and the Marjaisa wreath by florist-horticulturist Tiina Koskinen from Kerava. AD Paula Salviander is responsible for the graphic design of the Floral Artistry stamps.
“The world of floristry is versatile and impressive. As flower arrangers, we combine different flower materials into new harmonious ensembles that create their own moods. The purity and uniqueness of Finnish nature are important sources of inspiration for us,” explain Koppi and Koskinen, who have won many awards for their works.
Floral Artistry will be issued as a 15-stamp sheet containing 3 different domestic no-value indicator stamp designs.
The Helsinki central railway station turns 100 years old
The Helsinki railway station was opened in March 1919 and turns 100 years old this year. Posti is celebrating the occasion with a miniature sheet. Graphic designer Klaus Welp designed the stamps by photographing the monumental railway station building, designed by Eliel Saarinen, from multiple angles.
“In my opinion, the Helsinki railway station is one of the most beautiful railway stations in the world in terms of its architecture and mood. As I was designing the stamps, the building surprised me with its numerous details and elegance,” Welp explains.
Today, the Helsinki railway station is the capital region’s hub for the commuter and long-distance trains as well as metro traffic. A total of 240,000 passengers travel through the station every day and it is Finland’s busiest building in terms of the number of visitors.
The Helsinki Central Station 100th Anniversary miniature sheet contains 4 domestic no-value indicator stamps.
A reissue of the Sound of Silence stamp
A reissue of the February 2017 stamp The Sound of Silence has also appeared in stores during the late winter. The stamp was chosen as the world’s best stamp in the international Nexofil competition last fall. The stamp is designed by Stiina Hovi on the basis of Jari Hakala’s summery photo.
The international no-value indicator stamp is issued as a 10-stamp sheet.
First Day Event at Helsinki Main Post Office on March 13, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The first day event will be organized at the Helsinki Main Post Office (Elielinaukio 2) on Wednesday, March 13, 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.
All stamp artists, Virpi Pekkala, Reima Mäkinen, Paula Salviander and Klaus Welp will sign their works from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, the Finnish Florists' Association will present their operations at the event. A flower frame will be tied for the event so that you can take a spring-themed photo with your friend.
Image material for the media: http://digilibrary.posti.com/l/QrkZVhr_hk-b
All stamps available for sale are featured in Posti’s online shop: www.posti.fi/ostoksille
