02.05.2011

Latvijas Pastsissues stamps dedicated to UNESCO World Heritage

Latvijas Pastsis issuing a new stamp block depicting the Struve Geodetic Arc, which is included in the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The stamp block consists of two stamps, and their first day event will take place on May 5 in the Sakta post office, 32 Brīvības Boulevard, Riga, from 8 AM to 8 PM.

The presentation ceremony of the new stamp block will take place on May 12 in the premises of the State Inspection for Heritage Protection of the Republic of Latvia (VKPAI) in 19 Mazā Pils Street, Riga, at 11 AM, with the participation of representatives from Latvijas Pasts, VKPAI, UNESCO Baltija and Jēkabpils City Council.

The stamp block Struve Geodetic Arc, designed by artist Arta Ozola-Jaunarāja, includes two stamps with a face value of LVL 0.35 (corresponds to the cost of mailing a regular letter within Latvia) and LVL 0.55 (corresponds to the cost of mailing a regular letter to a European Union member state).

The print run of the stamp block: 70,000.

The new stamp block shows the path of the Struve Geodetic Arc through ten countries, highlighting Latvia's geodetic points Jēkabpils and Sestukalns. These sites are not only parts of the national geodetic chain, but also notable cultural monuments.

Along with the release of the stamp block in Latvia, other countries - Finland, Sweden, Estonia - will also issue stamps on the same subject. Stamps depicting the Struve Geodetic Arc have already been released by the neighboring Lithuania, as well as Moldova and Ukraine. The Struve Geodetic Arc was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2005. The Arc, stretching 2822 km through ten countries from the coast of the Arctic Ocean in Norway to the mouth of River Danube at the Black Sea, reminds about the international geodetic surveying works organized by the astronomer F. V. G. Struve in the beginning of the 19^th century. They significantly influenced the course of development of science and helped establish the exact size and shape of the Earth.

See pictures of the stamps here.

About VAS Latvijas Pasts

Latvijas Pastsensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides philately, transport and express mail, financial intermediation, payment, press subscription and retail services. Latvijas Pasts is a fully state-owned company with approximately 5000 employees.

Additional information:

Agija Terauda,

VAS Latvijas Pasts

Public relations specialist

Phone: +371 67608504

E-mail: agija.terauda@pasts.lv

www.pasts.lv