07.03.2012

Stamp dedicated to Struve Geodetic Arc voted the most beautiful of 2011

In the first competition of stamps issued in the previous year, the people of Latvia gave the biggest support to the stamp block designed by artist Arta Ozola-Jaunarāja that was dedicated to the Struve Geodetic Arc, which is included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This stamp issue received 332 of the total of 2685 votes, leaving the contemporary architecture series stamp Ventspils Pārventa Library second; the third place was taken by the stamp dedicated to Jew rescuers Johanna and Žanis Lipkes.

The winning stamp block depicting the Struve Geodetic Arc was issued by LatvijasPasts in May 2011 with a print run of 70,000. It is dedicated to a unique culture object - a geodetic chain stretching 2822 km through ten countries - including Latvia - from the coast of the Arctic Ocean in Norway to the mouth of River Danube at the Black Sea. The geodetic surveying works were organized by the astronomer and geodesist F. V. G. Struve in the beginning of the 19^th century, and the method used by him helped determine the exact size and shape of the Earth. In Latvia, the astronomical and geodesic survey stations of the Arc are located in Jēkabpils and Ziestu Kalns.

The competition between the first and second place was quite intense, with the supporters of these stamps actively using both social networks and regional media - for instance, the local newspaper of Jēkabpils published a call of the director of the Zemgale Regional Department of the State Inspection for Heritage Protection to vote for the stamp depicting the Struve Geodetic Arc, and also explaining its significance and value.

"The results of the contest show that the people of Latvia care not only about a stamp's design, but also about the story behind it, since, as we can see, the first three places are all taken by stamps with a special story of cultural or architectural sites and outstanding personalities. Considering the positive reception, the exciting spirit of competition, and interesting insights both on the themes and design of the stamps, we are planning to hold such contests again in the future," says Edmunds Bebrišs, Director of the Postage Stamp and Philately Department.

Responding to the interest expressed by philatelists and other people in Latvia, Latvijas Pasts held the contest to determine the best stamp of 2011 from February 6 to 26. Everyone had the opportunity to pick the most beautiful stamp among the 23 stamps issued by Latvijas Pasts in 2011. It was possible to vote by mailing voting forms free of charge, online at www.gadapastmarka.lv, or at the stamp exhibition in the mall Galerija Centrs by scanning a QR code.

Each voter was automatically entered in a sweepstake with post-related prizes - an opportunity to design a personalized stamp, or a full set of the stamps issued by Latvijas Pasts in 2011. The names of those winners who used printed voting forms have been published in the March 1 issue of Latvijas Avīze, while the names of the winning online participants can be found at www.gadapastmarka.lv.

See the winning stamp issue Struve Geodetic Arc.

Latvijas Pasts issues an average of 15 new stamp series each year, with their total print run reaching several million. In 2011, Latvijas Pasts issued 23 new stamps in 18 series, with the total number of stamps printed approaching 7 million.

The stamp is the universal symbol of mail. It is affixed to postal items - letters, parcels, and postcards - as evidence of payment of postage. The first stamp was issued in Britain in 1840. Three years later, a stamp was issued by Switzerland, and the USA followed in 1847. The first stamp in the territory of present-day Latvia appeared in 1857, while the Republic of Latvia as a sovereign state issued its first stamp in 1918.

About SJSC Latvijas Pasts

Latvijas Pasts ensures 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 4,600 employees.

Additional information:
Gundega Vārpa,
SJSC Latvijas Pasts
Head of the External Communications Department
Phone: +371 67608505
E-mail:Gundega.varpa@pasts.lv