EUROPA - European integration - France 30.4.2006

European integration is the process of industrial, political, legal, economic, social and cultural integration of states wholly or partially in Europe. European integration has primarily come about through the European Union and its policies.

One of the first to conceive of a union of European nations was Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi,who wrote the Pan-Europa manifesto in 1923.  His ideas influenced Aristide Briand, who gave a speech in favour of a European Union in the League of Nations on 8 September 1929, and who in 1930 wrote a "Memorandum on the Organization of a Regime of European Federal Union" for the Government of France, which became the first European government formally to adopt the principle. 

“We must build a kind of United States of Europe. In this way only, will hundreds of millions of toilers be able to regain the simple joys and hopes which make life worth living” - Winston Churchill.

EUROPA 2001 - Rivers - Cyprus 3.5.2001

This FDC sports two stamps in the EUROPA series for 2001 with Rivers as its theme. The rivers depicted on these stams are The Akaki, a river of central Ethiopia. It is a tributary of the Awash River on the right side. Two smaller rivers join the Akaki at the Aba-Samuel reservoir. These two rivers are the Little Akaki and the Great Akaki; the former is on the western side of the Akaki and the latter on the east.

The city of Addis Ababa has made the Akaki its waste disposal site. This puts the rural population living in the fringes of the city at risk since the Akaki is a source of drinking water for them. The Akaki is vital for numerous bird species. The Akaki–Aba-Samuel wetlands have been identified by the Birdlife International as a crucial staging ground for winter migratory bird species. The wetlands have been known to support as many as 20,000 water birds.

The second stamp depicts The Diarizos River. The 4th river in terms of length in Cyprus is Diarizos. From its two sources (where its name comes from), until its mouth, it covers a distance of 42 kilometres.

Its sources are found on the southeastern slopes of Kykkos, one next to the Milikouri village, and one on the slopes of Lemithou. These sources never stop giving their water, thus filling the riverbed all year round.

Diarizos has formed a huge valley. It is called the valley of Diarizos. It begins from the Venetian bride of “Tzielefou” and ends up at the beaches of Paphos. The valley, at its most is cultivable and planted with citrus trees.

Humans lived in this valley from ancient years and today there are 14 villages in total.

From its sources until the Venetian bride of Tzielefos, there is a narrow gorge with a width of 11 kilometres and dense plantation. The pine trees are probably the highest that exist in Cyprus. The sun hardly passes from the dense leafage of the trees. One road, a dirt road follows the river’s route during the whole journey.

A controlled and equipped picnic area offers its visitors the opportunity to prepare food. A little further, towards the river’s source, you will find the waterfall of Chantarra.

Thank you Merja.

EUROPA 2003 - Poster Art 8.5.2003

This 90c stamp was painted by the famous Swiss posterist Donald Brun in Basel in 1943. Switzerland used this lovely painting entitled “Vergissmargglinit” for its EUROPA series of stamps in 2003. The theme for EUROPA stamps in 2003 was “Poster Art”. If you observe carefully, you will see that the petals on the flowers are in fact postage stams. The cover has a mail box depicted on it too. Very appropriate for a stamp themed issue.
Thank you Maria.

EUROPA 2005 - Gastronomy - Greenland - Wild Arctic Muskox Meat 17.1.2005

The theme for EUROPA stamps in 2005 was 'Gastronomy'. This stamp issued by Greenland on 17.1.2005 shows one of the popular dishes made out of Muskox Meat.

Muskox often referred to as 'Oomingmak' or 'Bearded One' by the Inuit, the Wild Arctic Muskox spends eight months of the year digging through the snow of Canada's Northwest Territories and Greenland to feed on dried plants.

Flavourful, natural and lean, the Wild Arctic Muskox is a wild, free ranging animal harvested in carefully supervised native hunts. The meat of the muskox is therefore 100% "naturally organic" and a premium alternative to beef. While carrying a slightly higher price tag because of the lengths required to get muskox to market, it has found a loyal following with chefs and home cooks alike who treasure its exquisite flavour and moist, tender texture. Easily substituted into any venison recipe, its uses are limited only by the creativity in the kitchen. Culinary Team Canada has used muskox on several occasions to award-winning results!

Select Cuts. Tenderloin, Striploin, Frenched Rack, Frenched Chops, Rib Eye Roll, Hind Leg Bone In/Boneless, Denver Hind Leg, Escalopes/Tournedos, Boneless Shoulder (chuck), Stewing Meat, Ground, Trim, Burgers, Westphalian Ham & Mipkuzola ("Eskimo-style" Proscuitto).

Thank you Merja.

Europa 2002 - 'The Circus & Famous Clowns' - Finland 15.4.2002

The Europa 2002 theme was 'The Circus, famous clowns' featuring Joseph Grimaldi (1778-1837) the most celebrated of English clowns, born in London, son of an Italian father and English mother; Swiss clown 'Grock' Karl Adrien Wettach (1880-1959); 'Coco the clown' Nicholai Polakovs OBE (1900-1974) probably most famous clown in British history, originally a Jewish Latvian and Jean Hubert Charles Cairoli (1910-1980) born in Milan of French parents
Europa stamps have been issued annually since 1956. First sets representing the founding 6 members of the ECSC, European Coal and Steel Community, then by the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) in 1959, (first stamps issued in 1960) and by PostEurop since 1993. Initially in 1956 a total of 13 stamps were issued with a common design from 6 different countries. A common theme of Peace and Welfare through agriculture and industry was used for 1957. The common design reappeared in 1958 and continued until 1973. From 1974 the designs reflect a common theme. The common design idea replaced the common theme in 1984, which was the CEPT 25th Anniversary (1959-84) and shows a symbolic bridge, said to represent Liaison, Exchange and Communication. With the split of posts and telecoms providers in most countries, CEPT is no longer responsible, but the postal authorities under the guidance of PostEurop continue the Europa tradition. From 1993 all the stamps have "Europa" inserted into the design in small print.
Finland Post issued this pretty stamp and Cover to commemorate and celebrate the “Circus and its famous clowns” on 15.4.2002. Thank you Merja for this lovely FDC.

Europa 2010 - Children's books 5.5.2010

Merja sent me this FDC Commemorating the International Children's Day The Cyprus Post issued a set of postage stamps in the EUROPA 2010 series on 05 May 2010 ; the theme is "Children's books". The stamps with values of ˆ0,51 were designed by Christina Vasiliadou, Limassol.

"Children Day", as an event, is celebrated on various days in many places around the world, in particular to honour children. Major global variants include a Universal Children's Day on November 20, by United Nations recommendation. Children's Day is often celebrated on other days as well. Children's Day in India is celebrated on November 14, the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who was the first Prime Minister of India after independence.