20 October sees the issue of this year’s two Christmas stamps from Åland Post. “Sending Christmas greetings is a tradition that many people hold dear, and Christmas time is a period when extra many letters and packages are posted. This year's Christmas theme is greetings from the Islands of Peace, as Åland is called because of its demilitarized status. Through the stamp issue, we spread a message of peace and consideration from Åland to the whole world, ” says Johanna Finne, Marketing Design Manager at Åland Post Stamps.
The stamp commission went to artist Lasse Harkkala who made his debut as a stamp artist last year with the popular Åland Europa stamp on the theme stories and myths, depicting the mythical sea nymph.
Lasse tells us about his work with this year's Christmas stamps:
“The assignment was to create two Christmas stamps with the islands of peace as a starting point. I chose to use the dove and the angel which are familiar peace symbols. One stamp shows a peace angel and the other a peace dove, both on their way out into the world to spread the message of peace. I hope that the stamps will give a sense of hope or, at least, a little impulse of positive emotions.”
Among classic Christmas attributes, Lasse has also incorporated some typical Åland handicraft products. The hand-dipped branch candles, produced on the island of Husö in the Åland archipelago since the 1980s, light up many Åland homes at Christmas, and the Blomman flower pendant worn by the angel of peace has been a symbol of Åland ever since it was first produced in 1992 by Åland jewellery-makers Guldviva.
Facts about the issue
Name of issue: Christmas 2023
Date of issue: 20 October 2023
Artist: Lasse Harkkala
Design: Johanna Finne
Editions: 130 000 & 45 000
Denominations: Julpost & Världen
Price FDC: €5.30
Stamps sizes: 36 × 25.5 mm
Sheet sizes: 2 × 20 stamps
Paper: 110 g/m2
Perforation: 13 per 2 cm
Process: 4-colour offset
Printer: Cartor Security Printers
Order the stamps and first day cover in the webshop at alandstamps.com, by post to Åland Post Stamps, P.O. box 1100, AX-22111 Mariehamn, Åland, Finland, e-mail stamps@alandpost.com or telephone: +358 18 636 639.