Showing posts with label 2017. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2017. Show all posts

28 December 2017

#1473 United Kingdom


The Church of England parish church of St Andrew is a Grade I listed building. Part of the chancel is 13th-century while most of the rest of the building is from the 15th, reflecting the prosperity of the local wool and cloth industry. The tower was begun in 1434 and completed in 1576. In 1850–51 nearly all of the building, except the tower, was taken down and reconstructed to almost the same plan.

Inside the church is a chancel arch with fine carving, and a 14th-century stone font. The Lady Chapel has an effigy of Sir Walter de Dunstanville (d. 1270) and later monuments to the Scrope family. The faceless church clock, probably late 15th-century, is among the oldest working clocks in the country.


Thank you, Agnes !

Received on: December 28, 2017

#1472 Azerbaijan


Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Respublikası), is a country in the South Caucasus region, situated at the crossroads of Southwest Asia and Southeastern Europe.

About some facts written on the postcard:

Vagif Mustafazadeh (Azerbaijani: Vaqif Mustafazadə; March 16, 1940 – December 16, 1979), also known as Vaqif Mustafa-Zadeh, was an Azerbaijani jazz pianist and composer, acclaimed for fusing jazz and the traditional Azerbaijani folk music known as mugham. According to many world famous jazz musicians, Mustafazadeh is one of the pioneers and "the architect of jazz in Azerbaijan".

Mstislav Leopoldovich "Slava" Rostropovich (Russian: Мстисла́в Леопо́льдович Ростропо́вич, Mstislav Leopol'dovič Rostropovič; 27 March 1927 – 27 April 2007) was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He is considered to be one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century. In addition to his interpretations and technique, he was well known for both inspiring and commissioning new works, which enlarged the cello repertoire more than any cellist before or since.

Muslim Magometovich Magomayev (Azerbaijani: Müslüm Məhəmməd oğlu Maqomayev, 17 August 1942 – 25 October 2008), dubbed the "King of Songs" and the "Soviet Sinatra" was a Soviet Azerbaijani baritone operatic pop singer. He achieved iconic status in Russia and the post-Soviet countries for his vocal talent and charisma.

Hajji Zeynalabdin Taghi oglu Taghiyev (Azerbaijani: Zeynalabdin Tağıyev; Russian: Зейналабдин Тагиев) (25 January 1821 – 1823, or 1838 – 1 September 1924) was an Azerbaijani national industrial magnate and philanthropist.

According to a modern etymology, the name of Azerbaijan derives from that of Atropates, a Persian satrap under the Achaemenid Empire, who was later reinstated as the satrap of Media under Alexander the Great. The original etymology of this name is thought to have its roots in the once-dominant Zoroastrianism. In the Avesta, Frawardin Yasht ("Hymn to the Guardian Angels"), there is a mention of âterepâtahe ashaonô fravashîm ýazamaide, which literally translates from Avestan as "we worship the fravashi of the holy Atropatene." The name "Atropates" itself is the Greek transliteration of an Old Iranian, probably Median, compounded name with the meaning "Protected by the (Holy) Fire" or "The Land of the (Holy) Fire". The Greek name was mentioned by Diodorus Siculus and Strabo. Over the span of millennia the name evolved to Āturpātākān (Middle Persian) then to Ādharbādhagān, Ādharbāyagān, Āzarbāydjān (New Persian) and present-day Azerbaijan.

The Karabakh horse (Azerbaijani: Qarabağ atı), also known as Karabakh or Karabakhskaya in Russian, is a mountain-steppe racing and riding horse. It is named after the geographic region where the horse was originally developed, Karabakh in the Southern Caucasus, an area that is part of Azerbaijan but the highland part of which is currently under the control of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. The breed is noted for its good temper and speed.

The Petroleum Production Company Nobel Brothers, Limited, or Branobel (short for братьев Нобель "brat'yev Nobel"—"Nobel Brothers" in Russian), was an oil company set up by Ludvig Nobel and Baron Peter von Bilderling, mainly in Baku, Azerbaijan but also in Cheleken, Turkmenistan. Originally established by Robert Nobel (who contributed 25,000 rubles) and the investments of barons Peter von Bilderling (300,000 rubles) and Standertskjöld (150,000 rubles) as a distillery in 1876, it became, during the late 19th century, one of the largest oil companies in the world.


Thank you !

Sent on: December 4, 2017
Received on: December 27, 2017

27 December 2017

#1471 China


For more info, see received card #970.


Date of Inscription on the List of UNESCO WHS: 2011


Thank you !

Sent on: November 25, 2017
Received on: December 27, 2017

23 December 2017

#1470 United Arab Emirates


The United Arab Emirates; UAE; Arabic: دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة‎ Dawlat al-Imārāt al-'Arabīyah al-Muttaḥidah), sometimes simply called the Emirates (Arabic: الإمارات‎ al-Imārāt), is a federal absolute monarchy in Western Asia at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south, as well as sharing maritime borders with Qatar to the west and Iran to the north. In 2013, the UAE's population was 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million are Emirati citizens and 7.8 million are expatriates.

About some facts written on the postcard:

Ahlam Ali Al Shamsi (Arabic: أحلام علي الشامسي‎) (born February 13, 1969), commonly known as Ahlam (Arabic: أحلام‎) is an Emirati female singer from UAE. In 2006, she sang to the major record label, Rotana. She has released a total of ten albums including two successful ones, El Thokol Sana'a (2006) and Hatha Ana (2009) under its name. In 2011, Ahlam joined MBC's Arab Idol judging panel alongside Lebanese singer Wael Kfoury and Egyptian composer Hassan El Shafei and Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram.

Hussain Al Jassmi (Arabic: حسين الجسمي‎) is an Emirati singer. He was well known in Egypt. He released his first single Bawada'ak followed by Wallah Mayiswa and Bassbour Al Fourgakom.

In 2008, Al Jassmi received the Murex d'Or award, under the category of "Best Arabic Male Singer."

Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Arabic: حمدان بن راشد أل مكتوم‎, Hamdān bin Rāschid Āl Maktūm; born 25 December 1945) is the Deputy Ruler of Dubai and the Minister of Finance and Industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He is the second son of the late ruler, Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum (1912–1990).

Sheikha Maitha bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (born March 5, 1980) is a karate and taekwondo athlete and sheikha of Dubai.

The Arabian oryx or white oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is a medium-sized antelope with a distinct shoulder bump, long, straight horns, and a tufted tail. It is a bovid, and the smallest member of the Oryx genus, native to desert and steppe areas of the Arabian Peninsula. The Arabian oryx was extinct in the wild by the early 1970s, but was saved in zoos and private preserves, and was reintroduced into the wild starting in 1980.

It is the national animal of the United Arab Emirates.

Camel racing is a popular sport in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia, and Mongolia. Professional camel racing, like horse racing, is an event for betting and tourist attraction. Camels can run at speeds up to 65 km/h (18 m/s; 40 mph) in short sprints and they can maintain a speed of 40 km/h (11 m/s; 25 mph) for an hour. Camels are often controlled by child jockeys, but allegations of human rights abuses have led to nationwide bans on underage labor in the UAE and Qatar. In modern camel racing, camels are often controlled by remote controlled robotic whips.

The Burj Khalifa (Arabic: برج خليفة‎, Arabic for "Khalifa Tower"), known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration, is a megatall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft) and a roof height (excluding antenna) of 828 m (2,717 ft), the Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure in the world since topping out in late 2008.


Thank you, Piyali !

Received on: December 21, 2017

19 December 2017

#1466 Vietnam




Thank you !
Sent on: December 1, 2017
Received on: December 18, 2017

#1465 Poland



Thank you !

Sent on: December 13, 2017
Received on: December 18, 2017

#1464 Russia



Thank you, Oleg !

Sent on: December 4, 2017
Received on: December 15, 2017

14 December 2017

#1463 Oman


The national flag of Oman (Arabic: علم عُمان‎) consists of three stripes (white, green and red) with a red bar on the left that contains the national emblem of Oman (Dagger and two swords).

Until 1975, Oman used the plain red banner of the indigenous people. In 1970, the Sultan introduced a complete new set of national flags. Bands of green and white were added to the fly, and the national emblem, the badge of the Albusaidi Dynasty, was placed in the canton. This depicts crossed swords over a khanjar, a traditional curved dagger. White has been associated historically with the Imam, the religious leader of Oman, and at times the political rival to the ruling Sultan. It also symbolizes peace. Green is traditionally associated with the Jabal al-Akdar, or "Green Mountains," which lie toward the north of the country. Red is a common color in Gulf state flags. The national emblem is said to date back to the 18th century. A curved dagger is fastened over a pair of crossed swords. An ornate horsebit links the weapons.


Thank you, Adolf !

Sent on: November 13, 2017
Received on: December 13, 2017

#1462 Kazakhstan


Tamgaly is a petroglyph site in the Zhetysu of Kazakhstan. Tamgaly became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Tamgaly is located 170 km (by road) northwest of Almaty.

The majority of the 5000 petroglyphs are in the main canyon, but there are a number in the many side canyons. The petrogylphs are mostly Bronze Age, but in some cases have been overlaid with Medieval or later etchings. There are some petrogylphs from the Iron Age.

The name Tamgaly in Kazakh and other Turkic languages means "painted or marked place".


Date of Inscription on the List of UNESCO WHS: 2004


Thank you !
Sent on: November 24, 2017
Received on: December 13, 2017

#1461 Ukraine


For more info, see received card #369.

Property No #865

Date of Inscription on the List of UNESCO WHS: 1998


Thank you !

Received on: December 13, 2017

#1460 Romania



Thank you, Mihnea !

Received on: December 11, 2017

09 December 2017

#1459 Germany


For more info, see received card #515.


Thank you, Uwe !

Sent on: November 30, 2017
Received on: December 4, 2017

#1458 French Polynesia


The flag of French Polynesia is the state flag of the French overseas collectivity French Polynesia. It was adopted in 1984. Two red horizontal bands encase a wide white band in a 1:2:1 ratio; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue and white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a gold and white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half; a Polynesian canoe rides on the wave pattern; the canoe has a crew of five represented by five stars that symbolize the five island groups; red and white are traditional Polynesian colors.


Thank you, Stef !

Sent on: November 21, 2017
Received on: December 1, 2017

#1457 Estonia - Russia - Finland - Italy - Serbia - Germany



Thank you all !

Received on: December 1, 2017

#1456 Albania



Thank you, Indrit !

Received on: November 30, 2017

23 November 2017

#1455 Rwanda


The flag of Rwanda was adopted on October 25, 2001.

The flag has four colours: blue, green, and two forms of yellow (standard yellow for the middle band and what the Pantone system calls "sun yellow" for the sun). The blue band represents happiness and peace, the yellow band symbolizes economic development, and the green band symbolizes the hope of prosperity. The sun represents enlightenment.

The new flag represents national unity, respect for work, heroism, and confidence in the future. It was adopted to avoid connotations to the 1994 genocide. The flag was designed by Alphonse Kirimobenecyo.


Thank you, Deo !

Sent on: November 4, 2017
Received on: November 23, 2017

20 November 2017

#1454 Uganda


The flag of Uganda was adopted on 9 October 1962, the date that Uganda became independent from the United Kingdom. It consists of six equal horizontal bands of black (top), yellow, red, black, yellow, and red (bottom); a white disc is superimposed at the centre and depicts the national symbol, a grey crowned crane, facing the hoist side.

The three colours are representative of African peoples (black), Africa's sunshine (yellow), and African brotherhood (red being the colour of blood, through which all Africans are connected). The grey crowned crane is fabled for its gentle nature and was also the military badge of Ugandan soldiers during British rule. The raised leg of the crane symbolises the forward movement of the country.


Thank you, Deo !

Sent on: November 6, 2017
Received on: November 20, 2017