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Sunday 24 November 2019

1147) "The Firebird", Principality of Andorra (Principat d'Andorra), Spain: A 0.70 Euro postage stamp dedicated to the Russian Community in Andorra: Stamp issue date: 30.10.2019:

1147) "The Firebird", Principality of Andorra (Principat d'Andorra), Spain: A 0.70 Euro postage stamp dedicated to the Russian Community in Andorra: Stamp issue date: 30.10.2019:

The Russian Community in the Principality of Andorra - Andorran Diversity:

"The Firebird" is an illustration of the popular Russian story/tale, which is depicted on this stamp and is dedicated to the Russian community who number more than 500 residents established in the Principality of Andorra, Spain. 

These Russian residents are part of the Casa Russia, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year. In Casa Russia, the Russian community meets and fraternises and maintains their cultural nd sentimental ties with their country of origin, in addition to perpetuating them to the next generations.

In addition, Casa Russia also has as its objectives to facilitate the integration of the Russian community in Andorran society through various events and activities that allow the dissemination of their culture in the Principality - activities such as, Russian language classes for children and adults, ballet classes or organising the "Week of Russian Culture" in which they invite dance stars and other artists and relevant personalities of culture.

 The Commemorative Stamp:
The First Day Cover (FDC) is titled "COMMUNITAT RUSSA" (meaning "Russian Community") and "DIVERSITAT ANDORRANA" (meaning "Andorran Diversity").

 At left is seen an illustration of The Firebird helping rescue a princess.

 The 0.70 Euro Postage stamp affixed at top right shows the image of a Firebird with a princess.

 The Special Cancellation Handstamp shows a Russian doll and the cancellation is dated - "30.10.2019".
The 0.70 Euro postage stamp on a stand-alone basis. It is inscribed at left "CORREUS ESPANYOLS" (meaning "Correos Post" - or Spanish Post). 

On the bottom is inscribed - "PRINCIPAT d'ANDORRA, Diversitat andorrana, Communitat russa" (meaning "Principality of Andorra, Andorran Diversity, Russian Community").

                 The 0.70 Euro Stamp CTO (Cancelled to Order)

 Technical details:

 Issue Date: 25.10.2019

 Process: Offset

 Stamp value: 0.85 Euro

The story of "The Firebird":
"The Firebird" is based on Russian folklore and myth. It is a story told through music, that tells of the adventures of Zarovich Ivan, son of Tsar Berendi, accompanied by his inseparable gray wolf, in search for the Firebird, which he discovers eating the golden apples from his father's garden. ("The Firebird" is so called, because its feathers glitter like a flame of gold). 

The story was adapted to a classical ballet dance by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, in his first work premiered in Paris in 1910, choreographed by the famous ballet company - Ballets Russians set up by its promoter Sergei Diaghilev.

 The title character is a powerful female spirit bird with magical feathers that provide both beauty and protection.

The ballet centres on the journey of Prince Ivan, who while hunting in the forest, strays into the magical realm of Koschei the Immortal, a fearsome sorcerer,  whose immortality is preserved by keeping his soul in a magic egg hidden in a casket. Ivan chases and captures the Firebird and is about to kill it, but the bird begs to be spared, whereupon, Ivan spares its life. As a token of gratitude, the Firebird offers him an enchanted feather that he can use to summon it, should he be in distress.

 Ivan meets 13 captured princesses, who enter a garden and dance. They are under the spell of Koschei and falls in love with one of them. He decides to rescue them, but there is one problem - the garden is full of statues, because Koschei turns anyone to stone, who tries to rescue the princesses.

  The next day, Ivan confronts the magician and eventually they turn on each other. Koschei sends his minions after Ivan, while Ivan summons the Firebird, who intervenes, bewitching the monsters and making them dance to an elaborate, energetic dance (the "Infernal Dance").

 The minions and Koschei then fall into a deep sleep. While they sleep, the Firebird directs Ivan to a tree stump, where the casket with the egg containing Koschei's soul is hidden. Ivan destroys the egg and the spell is broken/lifted. The magical minions/creatures that Koschei had held captive get freed and the palace disappeared.

 All of the "real" beings, including the princesses, awaken and celebrate their victory/freedom.


Interesting links to posts on Spanish Coins and postage stamps on this blog:










For more interesting posts on Coins and stamps of Portugal, please visit the following links:
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2 comments:

  1. coins and more6 December 2019 at 23:10

    Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:
    "India could do things like this, for the myriad communities who've chosen India as their refuge! While they have integrated into the Nation in general, they have very well preserved their distinct identity. 🤔"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. coins and more6 December 2019 at 23:10

      It is an excellent suggestion, Vikram, which needs to be promoted in a big way.

      Delete

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