Europa - Peace

EUROPA stamps are special stamps jointly issued by European postal operators. Their aim is to build awareness of Europe's common roots, culture, history and goals. The theme of 2023 is "Peace - the greatest value of humanity."

The issue contains two stamps. The winning motive for the collaborative design by Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir (A Designers Collective) is a new sign representing peace based on the European, centuries-old visual motive of the knot, a symbol of endless unity, friendship and love. It is inspired by the symbol of the Celtic love knot with intertwined hearts. The hands with intertwined fingers convey a message of mutual respect, and the colours illustrate all the nations of the world.

The second stamp is the work of Marin Musa, showing a white dove carrying an olive branch. It symbolizes peace as the greatest value of humanity. The sky in the body of the dove symbolizes that we are all one under the sky. And the dove brings peace and prosperity to all people. Being one of the easiest birds to tame, the white dove is a symbol of peace, innocence and love. The olive branch in its beak represents fulfilment and hope after dark times. The dove carries a message of harmony and indicates that wars and conflicts are never the solution.

(Željka Šaravanja)