The set of Latvijas Pasts stamps of 2021 includes a total of 22 stamp releases, comprising 27 stamps and three stamp blocks, with their total print run amounting to more than three million copies. The set of postage stamps is a convenient way of collecting stamps, as it contains all stamps issued over the year, ensuring their functional use and visibility.
This year, Latvijas Pasts has dedicated stamps to a number of outstanding personalities representing various fields: writers Ernests Birznieks-Upītis (1871–1960) and Jānis Poruks on their 150th anniversaries, legendary javelin thrower Jānis Lūsis (1939–2020) as well as the Latvian national 3x3 basketball team, composed of Agnis Čavars, Nauris Miezis, Kārlis Pauls Lasmanis and Edgars Krūmiņš who are gold medallists of the XXXII Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Continuing to mark events important to the Latvian state, new stamps were dedicated to the centenary of the Latvian national symbols – the flag and the coat of arms – as well as to the 100th anniversary of the de jure recognition of the Republic of Latvia.
The issue of well-known and traditional stamp series also continued in 2021, including the series Outstanding Latvian Artists featuring a stamp block in honour of Jānis Pauļuks (1906–1984). The stamp in the series Latvian Architecture depicting the water tower at Gaujas Street painted by the artist Aleksejs Naumovs supplemented the previously started and popular water towers theme, while this year’s stamps in the joint Europa series were dedicated to endangered wildlife. The series Latvian Birds was supplemented with postage stamps depicting the grey partridge, which is the Bird of the Year 2021, and the Eurasian bullfinch.
Two philatelic releases of 2021 in the traditional series, comprising a total of eight stamps, were issued on a self-adhesive base: they are the stamps in the series Coats of Arms of Latvian Towns and Municipalities and Christmas.
Sports themed stamps were also issued in connection with the Ice Hockey World Championship held in Latvia and the 100th anniversary of the Latvian Football Federation.
Completely new series of stamps were launched in 2021 as well: the first stamp in the series Latvian Museums was released in honour of the Riga Porcelain Museum, while the first release in the series Fairy Tales of the World features the picture book Rožu spoks (The Ghost of Roses) dedicated to Rundāle Palace.
