Monument of Independence postage stamp

Postage stamp "Independence Monument Kyiv"

The issue of independence is very important for the Ukrainian people, as the struggle for independence continues to this day. History describes many periods when Ukrainian lands were ruled by different states. The first attempts to declare independence in modern times date back to January 22, 1918. It should be noted that at that time, the first stamps of the Ukrainian People's Republic with the Ukrainian trident were issued. The second attempt can be considered an attempt to restore the independence of the Ukrainian state during the outbreak of World War II in 1941.

The declaration of independence in 1991 was a landmark event for the entire Ukrainian people. The long journey with obstacles was crowned with success and for more than 30 years now, Ukraine has existed on the world map as an Eastern European country. However, this does not prevent neighboring countries from thinking otherwise. As we all know, since 2014, the country has been experiencing the impact of Russia's aggressive policy. And since February 2022, the entire civilian democratic world has been helping Ukrainians defend their land from the occupiers.

monument of independence photo Ralf Roletschek

Independence of Ukraine on the pages of philately

The first stamp in Ukrainian philately dedicated to the Independence Day of Ukraine was issued in 1994. The Independence Day stamp was printed in a run of 200 thousand copies. Later, each issue was made during the anniversary of the national holiday:

1.         1996 - stamp "Independence Day. The Fifth Anniversary of Ukraine's Independence", 300 thousand copies;

2.         2001 - postal block to the 10th anniversary "To proclaim Ukraine an independent democratic state on August 24, 1991", 50 thousand copies;

3.         2011 - stamp "Ukraine. 20th Anniversary of Independence", 230 thousand copies;

The latest issue on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Ukrainian independence was issued in 2021. It consists of a postal block and the Independence Monument stamp.

What is known about the stamp "Independence Monument (2001), Kyiv"

During the 10th anniversary of Independence in 2001, a triumphant 52-meter-high column, the Independence Monument, was unveiled in Kyiv, topped by a figure of a woman, the Berehynia. The sculptor Anatolii Kushch created her from the image of his daughter, the artist Khrystyna Katrakis. The image is dressed in a national costume, the Oranta of Ukraine holding a viburnum branch. The figure is cast in bronze and weighs 20 tons, decorated with a gold coating.

The construction of the column took into account the conditions of resistance to seismic activity and natural disasters. The design provides for a pendulum mechanism under the sculpture to balance and increase stability. A staircase is built inside the column.

- Date of commissioning: 17.08.2021

- Circulation: 150 thousand copies

- Stamp size - 29.75 x 52.25 mm

- Number of stamps per sheet - 9 (3x3)

- Denomination - V

- Design - Tatiana Nesterova

An interesting fact is that in 2001, Ukrposhta issued a postage stamp on the occasion of the holiday, but its design included a photograph of Yefrem Lukatsky. The author took the photo in the parliamentary hall on August 24, 1991, during the ceremonial carrying of the flag. The Independence Monument appeared on the pages of philately only 20 years later. When creating the sketch, the artist used a photograph by Kyrylo Kudinov.

Description of the stamp with the Independence Monument

The stamp has a vertically oriented format with a sculpture of the Ukrainian Berehynia-Oranta in the center. The design was based on a photograph that was subjected to light and color correction. The background of the stamp is white, and the figure is decorated in shades of blue, yellow and green. The bronze figure and pedestal are particularly distinguished by the golden color used to decorate the national costume, the viburnum branch and the ribbons woven into the hair.

All the inscriptions and the name are placed on the right side of the stamp, mostly in the lower part. The name of the stamp "Independence Monument (2001), Kyiv" has a vertical orientation. Horizontally placed from top to bottom are the Ukrainian coat of arms, the stylized inscription Ukraine, 2021, in English capital letters UKRAINA. After that, a line is drawn, below which a capital Latin letter indicates the denomination corresponding to the rate for sending a simple non-priority letter.

envelope of the first day Monument