23.08.2011

Latvijas Pastscelebrates 125 years of bicycling in Latvia by releasing new stamp

Marking the 125^th anniversary of bicycling in Latvia and the Latvian Cycling Federation, the latest stamp issued by Latvijas Pasts celebrates the healthy sport of cycling. The first day cancellation event of the stamp will take place on Thursday, August 25, from 10 AM to 6 PM in the Sports Museum of Latvia in 9 Alksnāja Street, Riga. A brief presentation of the stamp will be held in the museum at 11 AM.

Cycling in Latvia - 125, the latest stamp of Latvijas Pasts designed by artist Ģirts Grīva,depicts a cyclist on a bicycle. The stamp also displays the logo of the Latvian Cycling Federation, which was founded 125 years ago. The face value of the stamp is LVL 0.35, corresponding to the cost of mailing a regular letter within Latvia. The print run consists of 400,000 stamps.

The stamp is accompanied by a first-day envelope and special cancellation. The envelope shows a distance race with a large number of participants; the cancellation, like the stamp, graphically displays a single cyclist.

The origins of cycling can be traced as far back as to the period of Tsarist Russia. The first Latvian cyclist can be said to be Eduards Lācers from Valmiera, who participated in 1890 in a relay race from Reval (now Tallinn) to Riga.

The goal of the Latvian Cycling Federation today is to develop cycling as a sport by managing and coordinating cycling sport organizations and facilitating training work in them, supporting and organizing competitions in Latvia and the participation of national teams in the Olympic Games, world and European championships and other international events, as well as representing Latvia within the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The next new stamp issue is planned for September 2.

See images of the stamp and envelopehere.

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 Tērauda,
VAS Latvijas Pasts
Public relations specialist
Phone: +371 67608504
E-mail:agija.terauda@pasts.lv
www.pasts.lv