Painted Churches of the Byzantine Era 27.4.1987

In the region of the Mounts of Troodos, in the heart of Cyprus, can be found one of the greatest concentrations of churches and monasteries in the Byzantine Empire, by which the island was annexed during the conquest of 965. The complex of ten monuments included on the World Heritage List, all richly decorated with murals, provides an overview of Byzantine and post-Byzantine painting in Cyprus. They range from small churches, whose rural architectural style is in stark contrast to their highly refined decoration, to monasteries such as that of St John Lampadistis.

The three stamps on this cover are part of a nine stamp series highlighting the famous painted churches of the Troodos mountain area. 

These churches have been put in the World Heritage list in 1985. The churches shown on these stamps are The Church of the Archangel Michael or St. Michael's Church, Pedoula (1474). The next one is St. Nicholas Church, Steyis (11th century) and finally the St. Mary's Church, Arakas (1192), they are part of a nine stamp set.

Merja, These are really a wonderful set of stamps on this FDC.

Helsinki Declaration

The Helsinki Accords, Helsinki Final Act, or Helsinki Declaration was the final act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe held inHelsinki, Finland, during July and August 1, 1975  (The FDC is postmarked on 30.7.1975). Thirty-five states, including the USA, Canada, and most European states except Albania and Andorra, signed the declaration in an attempt to improve relations between the Communist bloc and the West. The Helsinki Accords, however, were not binding as they did not have treaty status. And, were thus, as history proved, not worth the reams of paper wasted at the conference.

Thank you Merja for this interesting cover with the very impressive minisheet with a large stamp on it. A garland of flags of the participating nations is around the stamp.

1979 EUROPA CEPT - Faroe Islands 7.5.1979

The Faeroe Islands are an island group and archipelago under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Norway and Iceland. The total area is approximately 1,400 km² (540 sq mi) with a 2010 population of almost 50,000 people. The Faroe Islands have been a self-governing country within the Danish Realm since 1948. Over the years, the Faroese have taken control of most domestic matters. Areas that remain the responsibility of Denmark include military defence, police, justice, currency and foreign affairs. The Faroe Islands also have representatives in the Nordic Council as members of the Danish delegation. The islands were associated with and taxed by Norway, then the Union of Kalmar, and then Denmark-Norway until 1814, when Norway was united with Sweden. Scandinavia was in political turmoil following the Sixth Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars, when the Treaty of Kiel granted Denmark control over the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland in 1814. The Danish trade monopoly ended in 1856.

The theme for EUROPA CEPT stamps for 1979 was "Post & Telecommunications". On 7 May 1979, the Faroes had their first Europe (CEPT) stamps, showing provisional stamps from 1919. These stamps were engraved by the Royal engraver Czesław Słania. The stamp on the left is a Provisional stamp from 1919, which is cut diagonally. The other stamp is a Provisional stamp from 1919, overprinted 2 ore.

Thank you Dear Maria for this wonderful FDC.

Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe held in Helsinki

The Helsinki Accords, Helsinki Final Act, or Helsinki Declaration was the final act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe held in Helsinki, Finland, during July and August 1, 1975. Thirty-five states, including the USA, Canada, and most European states except Albania and Andorra, signed the declaration in an attempt to improve relations between the Communist bloc and the West. The Helsinki Accords, however, were not binding as they did not have treaty status.

The Accords' "Declaration on Principles Guiding Relations between Participating States" (also known as "The Decalogue") enumerated the following 10 points:

1. Sovereign equality, respect for the rights inherent in sovereignty.
2. Refraining from the threat or use of force
3. Inviolability of frontiers.
4. Territorial integrity of States
5. Peaceful settlement of disputes
6. Non-intervention in internal affairs
7. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief
8. Equal rights and self-determination of peoples.   
9. Co-operation among States
10. Fulfillment in good faith of obligations under international law.   

Most of these articles were followed in the breach rather than in fact. European history from 1975 to 1989 was witness to this utter farce.

The miniature sheet on this cover was issued by Bulgaria in 1974 commemorating the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe. 

Thank youMerja for this memorable FDC.

50th Death Anniversary of James Ensor

James Sidney Edouard, Baron Ensor (13 April 1860 – 19 November 1949) was a Belgian painter and printmaker, an important influence onexpressionism and surrealism who lived in Ostend for almost his entire life. He was associated with the artistic group Les XX.

The stamp on the cover is titled "The Oyster Eater".  This is one of the main works in the Royal Museum's prominent Ensor collection. It represents a sunny dining room, with a table laid for two, and a young woman who is about to eat an oyster. With The Oyster eater, the young James Ensor continued the series that he had dubbed The Bourgeois Salon, and which consisted in snapshots from the life of the small-town bourgeoisie. In this painting he used bright colours. The red, yellow and orange hues enhance the illusion of sunlight. 
It was Ensor's intention to enter The Oyster-eater in the 1882 edition of the three-yearly art exhibition in Antwerp, but the organisers rejected it. So too did 'L'Essor', an exhibition association comprised of graduates of the Brussels academy. Apparently the art circles of the day were not ready for Ensor's revolutionary genius. This prompted Ensor and some of the more progressive members of 'L'Essor' to establish 'Les XX', a group that was more than happy to showcase unconventional work such as The Oyster eater. The Belgian artist, James Ensor, was deeply rooted in his country and its artistic tradition.  Ensor’s work is noted for its important role in the development of modern art.

The FDC is postmarked in Ostend, Belgium. James Ensor was born in Ostend. To Belgians the most famous Ostendais of them all remains painter James Ensor who spent most of his life here.

Thank you Maria for this lovely FDC.

1982 EUROPA - Portugal Historic Events 3.5.1982

The stamp on this first day cover was issued on 3rd May 1982 as part of the EUROPA CEPT series of stamps. The theme for 1982 was "Historic Events".

The stamp on the cover depicts  a scene from the presentation of Manuel I (Portuguese  king in that time) to the Pope in Rome, in 1514. It was a very great ceremony, even an Indian elephant took part in the ceremony.

Tristão da Cunha (c. 1460 – c. 1540) was a Portuguese explorer and naval commander. In 1514 he served as ambassador from king Manuel I of Portugal to Pope Leo X leading a luxurious embassy presenting in Rome the new conquests of Portugal. He later became a member of the Portuguese Privy Council.

Hanno (c. 1510 – 8 June 1516) was the pet white elephant given by King Manuel I of Portugal to Pope Leo X (born Giovanni de' Medici) at his coronation. Hanno, actually an Asian elephant, came to Rome in 1514 with the Portuguese ambassador Tristão da Cunha and quickly became the Pope's favorite animal. Hanno died two years later from complications of a treatment for constipation with gold-enriched laxative.

King Manuel had either received him as a gift from the King of Cochin, or had asked Afonso de Albuquerque, his viceroy in India, to purchase him. Hanno was said to be white in colour, and arrived by ship from Lisbon to Rome in 1514, aged about four years, and was kept initially in an enclosure in the Belvedere courtyard, then moved to a specially constructed building between St. Peter's Basilica and the Apostolic Palace, near the Borgo Sant'Angelo (a road in the rione of Borgo). 

Thank you Maria for this lovely FDC.

INTEREUROPEANA 1979

This miniature sheet with the block of four stamps on the first day cover was issued by Romania as part of the INTEREUROPEANA 1979 on 3^rd May 1979 to commemorate collaboration amongst countries of Europe in the fields of Culture, Economy, and mail distribution (mail delivery and mail coaches). This is aptly illustrated on the stamp as well as on the First Day Cover.

Thank you Dear Merja for this lovely FDC.