Showing posts with label *Stamp - Olympic Games 2016. Show all posts
Showing posts with label *Stamp - Olympic Games 2016. Show all posts

09 March 2017

#1231 Malta


The flag of Malta (MalteseBandiera ta' Malta) is a basic bi-colour, with white in the hoist and red in the fly. A representation of the George Crossawarded to Malta by George VI of the United Kingdom in 1942, is carried, edged with red, in the canton of the white stripe.

Tradition states that the colours of the flag were given to Malta by Roger I of Sicily in 1090. Roger's fleet landed in Malta on the completion of the Norman conquest of Sicily. It is said that local Christians offered to fight by Roger's side against the Arab defenders. In order to recognise the locals fighting on his side from the defenders, Roger reportedly tore off part of his chequered red-and-white flag. This story has, however, been debunked as a 19th-century myth, possibly even earlier due to the Mdina, Malta's old capital, associating its colours with Roger's in the late Middle Ages.



Thank you, Rosmarie !

Sentt on: March 6, 2017
Received on: March 9, 2017

06 February 2017

#1215 Estonia - Lithuania - Ukraine - Hong Kong - China - Indonesia - Singapore


Manor complex is located in Lahemaa National Park. The history of manor dates back for 500 years. For the time being Sagadi has become the centre of tourism and natural and cultural education. The complex is extraordinary for its unity: lots of outbuildings with repaired roads, parkways, park and ponds. The complex was restored by forestry system and even at this point it is being managed by foresters, more precisely by RMK. In Sagadi forest centre You can visit forest and manor museum, nature school, hotel and restaurant.


Thank you all !

Sent on: September 13, 2016
Received on: February 6, 2017

18 January 2017

#1199 Greece


Delphi is famous as the ancient sanctuary that grew rich as the seat of the oracle that was consulted on important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. Moreover, it was considered as the navel (or centre) of the world by the Greeks as represented by the Omphalos.

It occupies an impressive site on the south-western slope of Mount Parnassus overlooking the coastal plain to the south and the valley of Phocis. It is now an extensive archaeological site and the modern town is nearby.

It is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in having had a phenomenal influence in the Ancient world, as evidenced by the rich monuments built there by most of the important ancient Greek city-states, demonstrating their fundamental Hellenic unity.

The ancient theatre at Delphi was built further up the hill from the Temple of Apollo giving spectators a view of the entire sanctuary and the valley below. It was originally built in the 4th century BC but was remodeled on several occasions, particularly in 160/159 B.C. at the expenses of king Eumenes II of Pergamon and in 67 A.D. on the occasion of emperor Nero's visit. The koilon (cavea) leans against the natural slope of the mountain whereas its eastern part overrides a little torrent which led the water of the fountain Cassotis right underneath the temple of Apollo. The orchestra was initially a full circle with a diameter measuring 7 meters. The rectangular scene building ended up in two arched openings, of which the foundations are preserved today. Access to the theatre was possible through the parodoi, i.e. the side corridors. On the support walls of the parodoi are engraved large numbers of manumission inscriptions recording fictitious sales of the slaves to the god. The koilon was divided horizontally in two zones via a corridor called diazoma. The lower zone had 27 rows of seats and the upper one only 8. Six radially arranged stairs divided the lower part of the koilon in seven tiers. The theatre could accommodate about 4,500 spectators. On the occasion of Nero's visit to Greece in 67 A.D. various alterations took place. The orchestra was paved and delimited by a parapet made of stone. The proscenium was replaced by a low pedestal, the pulpitum; its façade was decorated with scenes from Hercules' myth in relief. Further repairs and transformations took place in the 2nd century A.D. Pausanias mentions that these were carried out under the auspices of Herod Atticus. In antiquity, the theatre was used for the vocal and musical contests which formed part of the programme of the Pythian Games in the late Hellenistic and Roman period. The theatre was abandoned when the sanctuary declined in Late Antiquity. After its excavation and initial restoration it hosted theatrical performances during the Delphic Festivals organized by A. Sikelianos and his wife, Eva Palmer, in 1927 and in 1930. It has recently been restored again as the serious landslides posed a grave threat for its stability for decades.



Date of Inscription on the List of UNESCO WHS: 1987



Thank you, Nikos !

Sent on: December 15, 2016
Received on: January 17, 2017

24 September 2016

#1155 Estonia - Poland - New Zealand - Macau - Hong Kong




Thank you !

Sent from Estonia to Poland: August 1, 2016
From Poland to New Zealand: ??
From New Zealand to Macau: ??
From Macau to Hong Kong: September 5, 2016
From Hong Kong to Estonia: September 13, 2016
Received from Hong Kong: September 20, 2016