Schedryk postage stamp

Postal stamp "Shchedryk.  Carol of the bells"

The year 2022 is coming to an end, which was difficult for Ukraine and the democratic world community. But the struggle of the Ukrainian people against the invaders and occupiers who violated the borders of a sovereign state in February does not end. Many families and households will not meet the coming year together, but the thought of the future victory and the sound of Carol of the bells give strength and inspiration.

 New Year and Christmas stamps in Ukrainian philately

The first Christmas stamp was issued by the Main Post in 1997 under the title "Merry Christmas!". Then such stamps were issued annually on the eve of the New Year holidays. Together with them, there were issues "Happy New Year" and "Saint Nicholas". In some New Year's issues there are couplings of 2-3 stamps. Sketches of Christmas themes are mostly presented in the form of icons or in the form of carols and carolers.

Also distinguished is the year 2010, in which not a single Christmas stamp was issued. The average circulation of holiday stamps was 220 thousand copies, but in some years there were also circulations of 500 thousand. The largest circulation was issued in 2022 with the stamp "Victorious New Year" - 720 thousand copies.

What is known about the postage stamp "Shchedryk.  Carol of the bells"

The famous composer Mykola Leontovych and his work "Shchedryk" glorified the talented Ukrainian nation and immortalized the sound of bells as a symbol of New Year holidays. The popularization and expansion of Ukrainian culture on other continents began after the 1870s, during the immigration of large numbers of Ukrainians to America.

Ukrainians celebrate Christmas and sing carols and Christmas songs. Photo source Historical truth

The usual shchedrivochka was first performed in the United States by the Oleksandr Koshytsia Choir in New York in 1922 at a concert in Carnegie Hall. But before that, it was already known in dozens of countries in Europe. After that, the borrowed melody was widely used in various arrangements and processing. It can often be found in advertisements, films and TV series. Currently, it is the 100th anniversary of the premiere in the United States.

·         Date of putting into circulation: 23.12.2022

·         Circulation - 200 thousand copies

·         Stamp format - 40x40 mm

·         Number of stamps per sheet - 4 (2x2)

·         Face value - W ($1.5)

·         Author of the design - Mykola Kochubey

The postal stamp and "Shchedryk.  Carol of the bells" finishes the cycle of stamps in 2022. The Honored Artist of Ukraine Mykola Kochubey worked on its design. The artist cooperates with Ukrposhta not for the first time, his latest stamps were also issued in 2022 as part of the "Stories and Myths" series.

Description of the last stamp in 2022.

The sheet of stamps contains 4 rectangular stamps, which are presented to the viewer in horizontal orientation. They depict elements, events and images from the ritual song "Shchedryk". The style of the sketch is significantly different from the author's previous stamps. The technique of transition from green to blue colors is used in this work. The idea of creating the stamp arose last year, but no one at that time thought about possible military actions in Ukraine. Now the main purpose of the issue is to popularize Ukraine and its culture in the modern world.

The very center depicts a swallow, which traditionally brings happiness on its wings. In Ukrainian mythology, the bird is the embodiment of spring and symbolizes goodness and rebirth. Therefore, according to the author, the swallow should bring spring victory to Ukraine in the struggle for its future.

Among other characters, Hutsuls are depicted against the background of the Carpathian mountains and forests. They are dressed in traditional clothes with attributes of carolers. A special detail is the presence of bells in each character, which symbolize the victory over chaos. Their ringing should sanctify the surrounding space.

Along the perimeter of the stamp, on each edge there are inscriptions that are traditional for postal payment signs. In the upper left corner there is an inscription in stylized font "Ukraine", under the inscription there is a coat of arms. The lower left corner of the stamp has an inscription in the form of the name "Shchedryk.  Carol of the bells". In the lower right corner in Latin is the denomination W, which corresponds to the equivalent of $ 1.5 for the possibility of sending letters abroad. Vertical inscriptions are on the left side of the stamp in the form of the year of issue - 2022. The right edge contains the inscription in Latin "Ukraina".

Envelope of the First day Shchedryk.Carol of the bells