Romfilatelia, the specialized company in editing and trading Romanian postage stamps, under the logo of Europa 2007, introduces into circulation the postage stamps issue Scouting Centenary.
This issue marks a national and international event, extremely important for philatelists of all ages as well as for the public, due to the numerous means of illustrating this theme. The theme established by POSTEUROP, with the slogan EUROPA, is approached by each member country of this organization, taking into account its own specific. The postage stamps with this theme, issued by each country, shall compete in an international contest.
In 1857, Robert Baden Powell is born in London, the son of an Anglican theologian, member of the Royal Society from 1824 and of the daughter of Admiral Wiliam Smyth. After finishing school, Baden Powell chooses a military career. He leaves for India in 1876 where he wins the most craved trophy among British officers, the famous "Kadir Cup" (boars hunting with a long spear). In his regiment he attempts to reform the methods of military training, introducing fun activities for lifting the spirits of the troops. Between 1899 and 1900, he is chief of the Mafeking garrison in South Africa. After a resounding success, due to the fact that he succeeded in defending the city during the war with the Boers, he is decorated by Queen Victoria, with the Bath Order and advanced to the position of Major General. This promotion gloriously marks the end of his military career, Sir Robert Baden Powell dedicating his life to promoting peace and tolerance.
In 1907, between July 27th and August 8th, he sets up on the South coast of England (Brownsea Island), a camp for 20 youngsters in which he promoted; through non-formal education, the spirit of adventure, team work and personal evolution.
This is the moment when the Scouting is born, a movement which shortly spreads across all the world’s regions. In 1912, the first groups of Romanian scouts (Blaj, Brasov, Bucuresti) appeared and in 1914, thanks to their creative activity, the Association of Romanian Scouts is established. In 1922 the Association becomes a founding member of the World Organization of the Scouting Movement. In 1937, the year of its dissolution, its presence was everywhere it was required.
