Latvijas Pasts releases a stamp dedicated to the Gauja rafters

11.04.2024

On the 12^th of April 2024, Latvijas Pasts releases a stamp and a cover dedicated to the Gauja rafters, intangible cultural heritage. The first day cancellation of the stamp is scheduled to take place at the Elizabetes Street post office, 41/43 Elizabetes Street, Riga, from 9 AM to 6 PM on the 12^th of April.

The new stamp features six timber rafters against the backdrop of the old valley of the River Gauja. The dedication to the craft skills of the Gauja rafters is complemented by a cover. The philatelic releases have been designed by the artist Ģirts Grīva.

The face value of the newly designed stamp is €1.88. It corresponds to the postage of items in the weight class up to 20 grams to the countries in Group 12. The print run of the stamp is 25,000 copies, while the cover has a print run of 500 copies.

The craft skills of the Gauja rafters date back as far as the Gauja waterway. It is known that in the 19^th century, rafting was a popular source of supplementary income among the Vidzeme farmers in spring. Logs were assembled into rafts and drifted down the River Gauja from its headwaters to Carnikava. The Gauja rafts measured 8.5 metres wide and up to 95 metres long at the time. The Gauja rafters had to be experienced and skilled in order to expertly navigate the rafts around the numerous Gauja islands, shoals and cliffs, as well as through sharp bends, over rapids and rocky banks.

In the 20^th century, the Gauja rafts were gradually overtaken by the more economically advantageous loose log driving. In 1996, the tradition was revived by launching annual raft tying and driving along the River Gauja to Strenci.

In 2018, the craft skills of the Gauja rafters were included in the Latvian National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, while in 2022, the element Timber Rafting, which is also represented by the craft skills of the Gauja rafters, was included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The stamp will first be available for purchase at the post offices of the largest cities and in the e-shop of Latvijas Pasts: https://veikals.pasts.lv/.

The next philatelic release is scheduled for the 26^th of April.

Philatelic works issued by Latvijas Pasts are highly valued both among the customers and philatelic collectors and experts. Based on stringently regulated standards, international associations of collectors of philatelic materials have determined that the stamps issued by Latvijas Pasts are on par with the philatelic releases issued by the largest countries in the world. As a result, these stamps are routinely included both in the catalogues of philatelic releases recognised around the world and in the collections of prestigious collectors.

About SJSC Latvijas Pasts
Latvijas Pasts ensures the widest availability of postal services in more than 600 post offices throughout Latvia. The company provides the universal postal service, commercial transport, express mail, payment, press subscription, retail and philatelic services. Latvijas Pasts is a wholly state-owned company with around 2,500 employees.

Additional information:
Alise Krustkalne | Communications Specialist
Mobile phone: +371 26377124
E-mail: pr@pasts.lv, alise.krustkalne@pasts.lv

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