Posti releases Independence Centenary stamps today

The national postal and logistic operator Posti will release on Friday a booklet of stamps on the country’s Independence Centenary.

By tradition, Finnish Independence Day is celebrated in the Presidential Palace and the celebrations are broadcast to the audience via TV. The Independence Day Celebrations stamps designed by Anssi Kähärä capture some of the most unforgettable moments of the celebrations. The booklet consists of six domestic no-value indicator stamps.

The stamps depict the festively illuminated Presidential Palace, a portrait of four presidents with their spouses, the fitting of a gown designed by Teemu Muurimäki, the president’s handshake and dancing under the chandelier.

The popular handshaking is also featured on a stamp that depicts children watching the celebrations on TV, as millions of Finns do every year.

Kähärä is an award-winning graphic designer and his Snow Castle stamp was selected as the best stamp in Europe in 2017.

Earlier on Wednesday, Posti released this year’s Christmas stamps offering glimpses into the winter wonderland created by the Finnish illustrator Rudolf Koivu (1890-1946).

The Christmas stamps feature beloved illustrations by Koivu, known for his children’s books and numerous Christmas cards. The stamps were designed by the graphic designer Ilkka Kärkkäinen.

“Examining the original illustrations by Rudolf Koivu at the National Archives of Finland was one of the most fascinating moments in my career. The illustrations were excellent, both technically, typographically, and in their use of colours. Christmas was clearly close to Rudolf Koivu’s heart, and we chose images that best captured the atmosphere of a traditional Christmas,” Kärkkäinen said.

The Christmas greeting no-value indicator stamps feature elves playing in a Christmas tree, surrounded by candles and cones. The green Christmas Tree booklet contains 20 stamps.

The domestic no-value indicator stamps depict Santa Claus and endearing animals. The Holy Night stamp booklet contains ten stamps in tones of blue. Christmas cards equipped with the domestic no-value indicator stamp must be mailed by Wednesday December 20.

H.C. Andersen’s The Snow Queen fairytale adorns international stamps. The ten-stamp booklet contains no-value indicator stamps and Priority labels.