The First Circumnavigation Voyage, started by Ferdinand Magellan and completed by Sebastian Elcano, represents the rst truly global view of the world. A singular adventure that, having been de ned by Stefan Zweig as “the most glorious odyssey in the history of mankind”, had geographical, cultural, scienti c and socio-economic repercussions.
Five centuries later, this extraordinary feat is part of the heritage of humanity as a whole, a symbolic and intellectual capital of universal value, that is kept alive in countless events along the entire Magellan Route.
Celebrating the rst circumnavigation is to celebrate a “monument” to creativity and human skill, one that crossed all the oceans and continents, covering both hemispheres of the planet and contributed to the con rmation of the sphericity of the world and to the promotion of a collective awareness that we live on a planet that is mostly oceanic, the Ocean Planet, the “home of humanity”.
One of the most striking episodes on Magellan’s odyssey was the discovery, at the southern tip of the American continent, of a passage between the Atlantic and the Paci c, which contributed decisively to the rst circumnavigation and demonstrated the possibility of a route linking all the oceans. But the discovery of the Strait of Magellan did not just mean a radical change in the perception of the spatial limits of the Earth. Its importance also lies in the decisive role it carried out in the creation of a global vision of the world in the areas of philosophy, culture, politics and history, bringing about a profound re-framing of the concepts that shaped the world during that period in relation to the elements, man and nature, in the global context.
The existence of the Strait of Magellan and the resulting circumnavigation were the promoters of a global revolution in scienti c knowledge, proving a new concept of connection and contradicting everything that had been written since Antiquity by scholars such as Herodotus or Plinius about the limits of the known world. Remembering this discovery, along with the historical and cultural responsibility it represents, is an opportunity for deep reflection on the present day and on the future of the planet. It allows us to project new viewpoints and stimulate network actions that help build a better world for future generations, a fairer, more sustainable world, more tolerant and open, more aware of its limits, but, at the same time, more con dent in the transformational strength of knowledge and inter-cultural dialogue.
We believe that the best way to celebrate Magellan’s extraordinary feat is not just to plan commemorations on an international scale, but also, more importantly, to involve citizens from all countries, in a participative, collaborative and inclusive way. Philately, as a global cultural expression and means of bringing people together, regardless of their nationality, race or religion, provides a stimulating domain of collaboration for the programme of commemorations of Magellan’s Voyage. For this reason, and following the partnership with CTT for the issue “5th Centenary of the Magellan-Elcano Expedition” created in 2019, it is with great enthusiasm that the Task Force for the Celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the First Circumnavigation (2019-2022) is associating with the stamp issue “500thAnniversary of the Navigation of the Strait of Magellan”, being very pleased with the excellence of the work carried out by all participants in this ambitious project. We extend our thanks to all involved.
José Marques
President of the Task Force for the Celebrations of the
500th anniversary of the First Circumnavigation Voyage
