Romfilatelia and Romanian Post introduce into circulation on Thursday, December 4th this year, the stamp issue ‘WINTER’S JOYS’. The components of the issue – two postage stamps and a First Day Cover – depict in their images the characteristic atmosphere of December, a month in which the season of snow, school holidays, and the anticipation of gifts come together in an experience where optimism and joy are felt more than ever.
A remarkable presence in the world of drawing and a symbol of childhood, Veronica Neacșu, a talented illustrator and member of the Illustrators’ Club (founded in 2006), conceived and created the artwork featured on the postage stamps of this issue.
The dance of snowflakes, the fir tree’s needles, the snowman, the Christmas tree, the most familiar gifts received by children, and the Star of the Nativity – all depicted in imagery whose colours and design reflect the world of children – present, in an original manner, the moment of the Christmas celebration, harmoniously intertwined with the spirit of giving to others, as a way of expressing appreciation and mutual help.
Winter is a cold season. What joys could winter possibly bring? some pessimists ask. There are, however, many answers that support the meaning of the title of this issue, and we will mention just a few: the joy of those who work the fertile fields, for whom the white mantle of snow becomes a warm quilt for the wheat and a decisive condition for the preparatory work of the spring fields; the joy of all children, for whom snowball fights, sledding, and building snowmen bring back optimism and a love of life to every family; the glowing garlands that conjure before us the enchantment of the most beautiful fairy tales, with fairies, heroes, and wandering stars that light up the sky of long winter nights; the decorating of the Christmas tree, which gathers all family members around its glittering baubles and tinsel, and beneath whose branches are placed numerous gifts whose value is measured according to how well-behaved the children – the intended recipients – have been. To these brief arguments we may add the world of religious Christmas traditions: groups of carollers, the custom of going with the ‘Star’, words of blessing, joy, and good fortune offered by the bearers of the ‘sorcova’ (n.t. branch or stick adorned with artificial flowers), and the aroma of apples, nuts, and ‘cozonac’ (n.t. pound cake), without which the festive table of the great Feast of the Nativity would be incomplete.
The images on the two postage stamps clearly convey the story of Winter’s Joys. A snowman transformed into a little rabbit (face value of Lei 5.50), a symbolic parade of traditional toys in which an elephant is used to carry the weight of numerous gifts, and the Star of the Nativity (face value of Lei 8.00) together delicately and movingly capture the atmosphere evoked by the title of the issue.
The First Day Cover depicts, in its illustration, a Father Christmas disguised as a Christmas tree adorned with glowing baubles, forming a defining symbol that unites the celebration of the Nativity with the celebration of gift-giving – an occasion in which the Christmas Tree is ever-present.
Romfilatelia thanks the representatives of the Illustrators’ Club for the fine collaboration on this postage stamp issue.
