Europa - Peace - The Highest Value of Humanity

Each year the members of the Association of European Postal Operators (PostEurop) issue stamps on a common theme to present the identical values of their states. The “EUROPA” stamp is still one of the most popular themes for collectors, and issues bearing the official logo are among the most sought- after new stamps. In 2023 the member states elaborate the theme of peace in their stamps. The Hungarian miniature sheet containing two pairs of stamps was designed by the graphic artist Boglárka Nádi and 20,000 copies were produced by Pénzjegynyomda Zrt. The new issue will be available at first day post offices and Filaposta in Hungary from 9 May 2023, but may also be ordered from Magyar Posta’s online store.

Peace is commonly perceived as living a calm, satisfying life and, in a social and political sense, a life without war. Preserving peace is everyone’s responsibility and one of the most important goals in human society. The war in the eastern half of Europe has become the sad reality of everyday life. This is why PostEurop decided to choose peace as the theme for the 2023 EUROPA stamp, announcing a stamp design competition among member states to select a common design motif. In this framework, all postal administrations could enter the competition with their own design and the postal enterprises of the member states decided by voting which design motif should appear on the common 2023 EUROPA stamp of the member states.

One of the stamps of the miniature sheet issued by Magyar Posta shows the Hungarian entry and the other the winning stamp submitted by Post Luxembourg designed by the graphic artists Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir. The Hungarian design features a girl hugging a dove, the symbol of peace and freedom. The girl’s smile and embrace together express that peace and reconciliation between people strengthen relationships and communities. The design of the joint stamp is a composition inspired by a Celtic knot and depicts intertwining hearts as a symbol of peace. The different colours stand for the nations of the world and the hands for cooperation and unity. The main element of the first day cover and the imprint of the special postmark is a stylised drawing of a dove of peace.