2023Europa 2023 - Peace - The Highest Value of Humanity - Presentation Pack

Annually the postal administrations of member countries of the PostEurop Association, issue stamps bearing a common design or theme. EUROPA stamps promote philately through building awareness of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and shared goals.

The EUROPA stamp theme for 2023 aims to promote Peace - the universal value for all humanity. This was chosen to show solidarity with the postal administration and population of Ukraine in the incredibly challenging circumstances. A contest was held to select a common design to be used by all participating countries. There were 29 designs submitted in total and the winning motif was the one proposed by Luxembourg, titled "The New Peace Symbol", created by designers Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir.

The winning design shows a visual metaphor for a peacefully integrated, cooperative society in which people embrace one another's culture. It was inspired by the Celtic Love Knot symbol, with interlocking hearts. The colour palette illustrates the nations of the world. The hands with intertwined fingers were added to convey the message of mutual respect.

While cultural differences may be an obstacle to the creation of a peaceful society, the world would be a better place if only people could accept each other's differences. MaltaPost proudly participates in this noble pan-European initiative and issues the Peace stamp on 9 May 2023. On this date, the European Union celebrates Europe Day which marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration of 1950, considered to be the first official step in the creation of a united Europe.