Norway: The Netherlands Arctic Station, Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

The Netherlands Arctic Station is owned and run by the Arctic Centre of the University of Groningen. It is  situated in Kongsfjorden on the island of Spitsbergen and is part of an international research community in the former mining town of Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. In this town, more than 10 nations have their own station while using shared facilities for meals and recreation. The whole local community is focused on science and maintenance of infrastructure. Several stations have independent terrestrial research programs and the Netherlands Arctic Station is the smallest of all. During the summer months the Station Manager is Maarten Loonen, who is very collectors friendly, which can be seen from the beautiful cover below.

Stamp:

EUROPA 2023 - "Peace - the highest value of humanity" - Issued: 09-05-2023

 

Many thanks to Maarten for this beautiful cover!

China: The 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations - Joint Issue w/ Malaysia

On May 31st 2024 a joint issue between China and Malaysia was put into circulation. The stamps commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between these two countries. The commemorative stamp features iconic plants from both countries, namely the Merbau, Malaysia's national tree, and the Greeting Pine, one of China's most famous trees. I'm happy to receive a cover from both Countries, Malaysia and China. Many thanks to Raymond and Xu Wei!

China:

Stamps:

The 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations - Issued: 31-05-2024

Malaysia:

Stamps:

The 50th Anniversary of China-Malaysia Diplomatic Relations - Issued: 31-05-2024

 

Vietnam: The 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory

The Battle of Điện Biên Phủ was a climactic confrontation of the First Indochina War that took place between 13 March and 7 May 1954. It was fought between the French Union's colonial Far East Expeditionary Corps and Viet Minh communist revolutionaries.

Stamps:

The 70th Anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (full set) - Issued: 05-05-2024

 

Many thanks to Andrei!

 

France: The 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of New York

Wednesday, April 17, 2024, marked the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the New York Bay by Giovanni Da Verrazzano. This Italian navigator who worked for France called the new land Nouvelle-Angoulême, in honor of the King he served: François Ier, count of Angoulême. 

I'm very happy to receive two covers with a very nice sheet commemorating this event 500 years ago. The first cover was mailed from Lyon, many thanks Eric! The second was mailed from Roland from this year's Philex Stamp Exhibition.

Stamp:

The 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of New York (m/s) - Issued: 15-04-2024

Stamp:

The 500th Anniversary of the Discovery of New York (m/s) - Issued: 15-04-2024

Slovenia: The 100th Anniversary of Football in Slovenia

 

Stamp:

The 100th Anniversary of Football in Slovenia - Issued: 13-07-2020

Many thanks to Primoz!

Luxembourg: Summer Olympics in Paris 2024

The 2024 Summer Olympics,  and officially branded as Paris 2024, is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to take place from 26 July (the date of the opening ceremony) to 11 August 2024 in France. Paris is the main host city, with events held at 16 other cities spread across Metropolitan France, plus one subsite in Tahiti—an island within the French overseas country and overseas collectivity of French Polynesia.

Stamp:

Summer Olympics in Paris 2024 - Issued: 14-05-2024

Many thanls to Steve!

Åland: EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna"

 

Stamp:

EUROPA 2024 - "Underwater Flora and Fauna" - Issued: 08-05-2024

Many thanks to Rune!

Bulgaria: The 50th Anniversary of Shumen University

The Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen in Bulgaria is named after Constantine of Preslav, the student of Saints Cyril and Methodius. Shumen University is one of the five classical public universities in Bulgaria it is recognized as a leading university that offers modern facilities for education, scientific researches and creative work. The university was founded as the Higher Pedagogical Institute with a decree of the State Council of the People's Republic of Bulgaria in 1971. In 1995 it was transformed into Constantine of Preslav University of Shumen.

Stamps:

Souvenir Sheet of 4x The 50th Anniversary of Shumen University - Issued:  01-11-2021

Thanks a lot Emil!