The lunar calendar is based on cycles of lunar phases, although most of the lunar calendars are actually lunisolar calendars. This means that the calendar months correspond to lunar cycles; however, intercalary months are occasionally added to harmonize these cycles with the solar year. Among these calendars are Chinese, Hebrew and Hindu calendars, as well as most calendar systems used in ancient times. Lunar calendars differ according to which day the month begins. In the Chinese calendar, the first day is astronomically determined by the conjunction of the Sun and the Moon in the Chinese time zone.

Chinese Zodiac belongs to the oldest known astrological systems. It consists of 12 signs, each of which rules over one lunar year. These zodiac signs bear the names of animals (Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig). In addition to the basic signs, elements are also quite important in Chinese horoscope: wood, metal, water, fire and earth. Chinese astrology is based on the knowledge of ancient astronomers and the traditional Chinese calendar. It is also associated with ancient teachings about three harmonies – heaven, earth and water, Wu Xing teachings, Yin and Yang, five planets, 10 celestial streams and 12 earth branches, etc.

In Chinese culture, the Ox is a valued animal. Because of its role in agriculture, positive characteristics, such as diligence and honesty, are attributed to it. Oxen are hardworking, but low key people, intelligent and reliable. They never look for praise or to be the center of attention, which can often hide their talents. People of the Ox sign rarely lose their temper, think logically and make great leaders. Ox gains all recognitions and prizes only through their hard work.

According to the lunar horoscope, 2021 is a year of the Metal Ox. This year will require a lot of discipline and extra effort in organizing time to solve the accumulated problems. In return, 2021 will bring good luck and no explosive or catastrophic events will occur, so this will be a favorable year for economic recovery or consolidation, a year of long-term investments (especially for creating reserves and stocks for the next unproductive years).

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Boban Savić, academic painter.

Easter is a movable holiday which is celebrated on a different date every year. It can fall between April 4 and May 8 according to the new, Gregorian calendar, i.e. between March 22 and April 25, according to the old, Julian calendar, but it is tied exclusively to Sunday. The celebration of Easter was established by a Decree at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD.

Easter is one of the most important Christian holidays, “the holiday above all other holidays”. It is celebrated in memory of the victory of Lord Jesus Christ over death by resurrection, which was announced by angels and myrrh-bearing women, finding the tomb empty three days after Jesus was crucified and died on the cross on the hill Golgotha above Jerusalem. It is also called Christian Pascha, after the Old Testament holiday of the Jews, in memory of the liberation from Egyptian slavery. For Orthodox, Easter is preceded by a seven-week fast, stricter than other fasts during the year. The last week of the fast is called Holy Week, i.e. Passion Week, marking the days of the passion of Christ. Many folk customs are associated with this week, including the painting of eggs, which are a symbol of resurrection. The first painted red egg is stored until next year and is called “the guard of the house”. At the dawn of Easter, the faithful gather in the church, greeting each other with: “Christ is Risen – Indeed He is Risen!” and participate in the festive Liturgy with the priests. Easter is a holiday of joy and faith in eternal life. The whole week after Easter is called Bright Week, and Monday and Tuesday are marked as Easter Monday and Easter Tuesday.

Troparion of the Resurrection: “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life” Kontakion of the Resurrection: “Though Thou didst descend into the grave, O Immortal One, yet didst Thou destroy the power of Hades, and didst arise as victor, O Christ God, calling to the myrrh-bearing women: Rejoice! and giving peace unto Thine apostles, Thou Who dost grant resurrection to the fallen”

Expert collaboration: Miljana Matić, PhD in Art History, Curator of the Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Artistic realisation of the issue: MA Marija Vlahović, academic graphic artist.

The foundation and beginning of the work of the Serbian Orthodox seminary in Prizren (1871) is the most significant event in spiritual, educational, cultural and national history of enslaved Old Serbia, until the liberation in 1912. The first Serbian institution in the Ottoman Empire, founded after the abolition of the Patriarchate of Peć (1766), soon became the centre of educational and ecclesiastical life, and its students, who later became teachers and priests, started a great mission of restoration of education and the church. The new blood cherished the noble character of the Serbian people, guarding the ancient ecclesiastical and cultural heritage. The owner and founder of the school, Simeon Sima Andrejević Igumanov, Metropolitan Mihailo, the prince's deputy Jovan Ristić and the Russian consul Ivan Stepanovič Jastrebov were of great importance in the founding and the work of the Prizren seminary.

Numerous honorary rectors and professors have made an invaluable contribution to the 150 years of work of this school. The Prizren seminary presented the Serbian nation with three patriarchs (Varnava, Gavrilo and Irinej), a large number of bishops and clergy, educational and national activists, writers and scientists, both in the homeland and all over the world. The Bishop of Raška and Prizren and later Patriarch Pavle, took care of the work of the Prizren seminary for several decades. Diplomatic activities and the school's mission at the crossroads of conflicting worlds are especially significant, as are the sufferings of the Seminary inflicted by Albanian extremists in 1999 and 2004, the resumption of work in Niš and Prizren, at a time and circumstances when such efforts are a great feat.

Sima Igumanov, a native of Prizren (1804–1882) having been engaged in trade gained great wealth. Having had a love for his nation and a desire to contribute to its education, he bequeathed all his property to the Prizren seminary and students from the area of Old Serbia. He founded the Endowment, which is still fulfilling its mission today. The example of Sima Igumanov, a patriot and benefactor of Prizren shines as a guiding star for us and all subsequent generations.

Motif on the stamp: portrait of Sima Andrejević Igumanov (Uroš Knežević, National Museum in Belgrade), in the background the building of the Prizren seminary.

Expert colaboration: Dr. Aleksandra Novakov, expert associate of the Lexicography Department and Secretary of the Kosovo-Metohija Board of Matica Srpska, with the blessing of Bishop of Raška and Prizren Eparchy Mr. Teodosije, Rector of the Seminary.

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Anamari Banjac, academic painter

Ljiljana Krstić (31 October 1919, Kragujevac – 12 April 2001, Belgrade). As a law student, she realized that acting was her destiny, so she enrolled and graduated at the Musical Academy in Belgrade, Theatre Department. She has spent her acting life at National Theatre, Yugoslav Drama Theatre, Belgrade Drama Theatre and Atelje 212 Theatre, as well as on Radio Belgrade and Television where her roles are inscribed in gold: Ulita in the Forest, Olga in Three Sisters, Mother in Glass Menagerie, Brecht’s Mother Courage, Beatrice in The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds, Pamela Pusey-Picq in Chin-Chin, Marta in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Vassa Zheleznova, Nehama in Twilight, Mrs. Nola, Woman aviator in the Wings, General’s wife in Platonov... Privately, she was not an actress. In the forms, in the column "occupation", she always wrote "clerk", not because acting is an unworthy profession, but because, as she said, she was unnecessarily too exposed. She was also involved in pedagogy. A strong and simple being, wise and stable, she was and remained the moral pillar of the Serbian theatre stage. She received all the most important awards and recognitions and the Dobrica Ring for Lifetime Achievement.

Tatjana Lukjanova (6 November 1923 – 18 August 2003, Belgrade). Daughter of a Russian emigrant, an extra at the Bolshoi Theater, she dreamed of ballet and medicine, and attended the Drama Studio at the National Theater, where she made her first acting steps. She studied acting with Vera Grech, an actress of the Moscow Art Theater, and then went to the newly founded Belgrade Drama Theater, to which she remained loyal all her life. Cheerful, always thirsty for acting, a reliable collaborator of colleagues and directors of all generations, she played a wide range of dramatic, lyrical and comic roles: Laura in Glass Menagerie, Perella in Man, Beast and Virtue, Ranyevskaya in Cherry Orchard, Bela Rada in The Ruddy Shelduck (Bird with golden wings), Abby Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace ... The children recognized her for her special voice she borrowed to dolls in children's shows, and she liked that very much. Her magnificent Maud in the play Harold and Maud was named the best annual acting achievement. She received the October Award of the City of Belgrade for Berta in Berta's Treasure by A. Hieng and the award Zoranov brk (Zoran's mustache) for the role of Maka Lela in the House with the Window by Lj. Lašić. After the death of Tatjana Lukjanova, the Belgrade Drama Theater established the "Grand Prix" award that bears her name.

Radmila Andrić (17 July 1934 - 20 November 2018, Belgrade). When preparing her admission exam for the Academy of Dramatic Arts, she was tutored by her grammar-school teacher Bora Stojković, the writer of the first history of the Serbian theatre. During her career, she played on the stages of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre as her home theatre and on the stages of the National Theatre, Belgrade Drama Theatre, Atelier 212. Her roles of Jessica in Dirty Hands, Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire, Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion, in Mrs Dally has a Lover, Lady Margaret, Zoya in Zoyka’s Flat, Lavinia in Mourning Becomes Electra, Doris in the Same Time Next Year... Selective as she was when choosing the roles, she was gifted with a special sensitivity, the smile which was tender and melancholic, melodious voice, whereas her hands were telling their story in all the roles she played. Her role of Mrs Campbell in My Dear Liar was registered in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest continual performing of a single theatre play (for 39 years) with the same casting, until the death of her co-actor Mihajlo Viktorović. She was the laureate of the Belgrade City October Prize, Golden Arena in Pula, 7th July Award... the laureate of the Award of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for Highest Contribution to National Culture.

Milena Dravić (5 October 1940 - 14 October 2018, Belgrade). One of the most distinguished and most loved actresses of Yugoslav and Serbian cinematography. Milena Nazionale. The Door Remains Open was the film that made the door to motion pictures wide open, and the rest is history. A top-class artist, a star with a special glitter, a kind and respectable person, and, above all, ours. Her irresistible smile, charm, playful acting and highest professional ethic were the trademark in many roles she played, while her prolific opus and sparkling personality were reflected in a plethora of performances, series and shows: Overnumbered, Battle of Neretva, Morning, The Girl, Cross Country, W.R.: Mysteries of the Organism, Boka D Minor, Larry Thompson: Tragedy of a Youth, The Powder Keg, Cheek-to-Cheek, It’s Not Easy with the Men… Her role in the film The Special Treatment brought her the prize for supporting performance at the Cannes 1980 Festival. She was the laureate of nearly all the most prestigious awards, the Dobrica’s Ring for life achievement and the Award of the Government of the Republic of Serbia for Highest Contribution to National Culture. Someone said that the door remains open to our collective remembrance of triumphal roles and exquisite personality of Milena Dravić.

Miodrag Radovanović Mrgud (20 August 1929, Čačak-14 January 2019, Belgrade). An untried Slavic studies scholar and agronomist, he chose acting for his life's vocation and graduated from the Theatre Academy, in the class of Mata Milošević. Since 1952, on the stage of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre and other theatres, on film, radio and television, he has played numerous roles: Tram called Desire, Merry Days or Tarelkin's Death, Battle of Kolubara, Nijinsky, Merchant of Venice, Great Drama, Balkan Express, Bitter Fruit... He said that life at the theatre is much better, more beautiful, more accurate and fairer than the real one, and that everything in it is for the glory of man, both the worst and the best. He had an impeccable diction and acting lordship. With a wide smile that he shared with his colleagues and the audience, he erased the nickname Mrgud (Frowned man), acquired in childhood. He will be remembered for his masterful interpretation of the role of the Gestapo member šicer in the television series The Farm in the Small Marsh. He was the president of the Association of Drama Artists of Serbia from 1976 to 1980. He is the winner of the Vuk Award, Raša Plaović, Silver Arena, Ardalion, Golden Laurel Wreath, the Order of Merit for the Nation and the Recognition of the RS Government for outstanding contribution to national culture.

Mihailo Miša Janketić (24 May 1938, Novi Sad - 15.5.2019, Belgrade). A Montenegrin born in Vojvodina, he studied literature, and was won over by the magic of acting. With Hamlet's monologue, he enrolled in the Theatre Academy in the class of Josip Kulundžić, after which he became a member of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre. In his career, everything happened in due time. When he was young he played young men, then lovers, young heroes, when the time came for character roles, he looked exactly like them at his age. Whatever costume he wore - he actually could wear it, everything was natural to him. After his role in the play When Pumpkins Bloomed, he was invited to box for the Yugoslav national box team. He was the unforgettable Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment, Hugo in Dirty Hands, Horvat in Vučjak (German Sheperd), Stanley Kowalski in The Tram Called Desire, Živojin Mišić in the Battle of Kolubara, Gazda Jevrem in the People's Deputy, Marko Miljanov ... He taught acting at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. He is the winner of all the most important awards, both the Dobrica Ring for Lifetime Achievement and the Recognition of the Government of the RS for top contribution to national culture.

Marko Nikolić (20 October 1946, Kraljevo – 2 January 2019, Belgrade). He inherited the acting gene from his mother Leposava, an actress from the Kraljevo Theatre; his first toys were theatrical props. After graduating from the Theatre Academy, he connected his acting career with the National Theatre in Belgrade, where he interpreted roles in the plays War and Peace, Mountain Wreath, Suspicious Face, Apis ... For the role of Abel Znork in Mysterious Variations, the author of the play E. Emanuel Schmidt said that he liked Mark's performance more than the interpretation of world-famous actors Alain Delon and Donald Sutherland. He was also convincing on the movie screen, in the films Boško Buha, Devojački most, Užice Republic... The television part of his career was marked by the roles of leader Karadjordje Petrović, as well as Giga Moravac in the cult series Better Life (Bolji život). He possessed great vitality and energy, he loved basketball, the river, fishing, he had a boat, he loved and could sing ... In real life, he showed that an actor must not only be an actor, but also be a man who understands life and give it a chance. He is the winner of the Raša Plaović, Pavle Vuisić awards and Gold Medal for merits in cultural activities.

Predrag Ejdus (24 July 1947 - 28 September 2018, Belgrade). He became “infected” with acting as an amateur in Dadov theatre, and when he entered that world, there was no going back. He said that the actors act because of the curse and the magic and wander the corridors of hell, deeply believing that there is a way to heaven somewhere. His anthological roles are Osip in Fear and Hope of Nadežda Mandelstam, Miškin in Nastasja Filipovna, Kir Janja, Faust, Oblomov, Joakim Vujić in How to Make Your Lord Laugh, Laza Dunđerski in Was there a Prince's Dinner, Bernard Drah in Chauvinist Farce, Ignjat Glembay in Messrs. Glembay, Napoleon in Madame Saint-Jean, Zlatikum in Skup, Shylock in the Merchant of Venice... He was the president of the Association of Dramatic Artists of Serbia from 1986 to 1990 and a professor at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade. He is the winner of the most important theatre awards: Sterija, Golden Laurel Wreath, Golden Medal for monodrama, Milivoje Živanović, Raša Plaović, statuette of Joakim Vujić, October Award, Dobrica Ring for Lifetime Achievement and Recognition of the RS Government for top contribution to national culture. He played to the last atom of physical and mental strength.

Expert collaboration: Association of Drama Artists of Serbia.

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Marina Kalezić, academic painter.

The Student Cultural Centre (SKC), a cultural meeting place intended for students and young non-established authors, as well as already established artists and public and scientific workers, in 2021 marks its jubilee – the fiftieth anniversary of its work.

The SKC building, which is a cultural monument, and which was designed by the famous Serbian court architects Jovan Ilkić and Milorad Ruvidić, is located on the corner of King Milan and Resavska Streets. It was built back in 1895 for the needs of the then Officers’ House, which was the meeting place of the military establishment. Politicians, representatives of the nobility and bourgeoisie gathered under its roof. In post-war Yugoslavia, it was the headquarters of the State Security Service (Udba) for a while, and in 1968 the building was handed over to the University of Belgrade and that year the Student Cultural Centre was founded. On 3 April, 1971, it officially began operating.

In the years that followed, SKC became a prominent place, one of the main gathering locations for advanced scholars and urban youth. Young artists, as well as all those who offered something different and alternative, were given a space where they could express their creative spirit in all art movements and bring new views and fresh ideas to the public stage.

SKC managed to keep one of the leading positions on the cultural map of Belgrade. Even today, by strengthening alternative views and gathering new young people and those young in spirit eager to represent an alternative to the dominant art movements, there are exhibitions, concerts, theatre programmes, performances, audio-visual installations, lectures, creative workshops that are held at the Gallery, Happy Gallery, Small Hall, Circus Gallery, Great Hall, SKC Club, New Space and the popular Garden...

Following young people and their interests, paying attention to everything new and valuable in art, SKC continues to nurture the free spirit and alternative ways of artistic expression, trying to remain one of the most visited places in Belgrade where culture has the main say.

Expert collaboration: Student Cultural Centre Belgrade

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

Yuri Gagarin was the first man to fly into space on April 12, 1961. This historic event was carried out after many years of thorough preparations within the Soviet programme for space exploration. Gagarin soared into space in the Soviet spacecraft Vosto–1, in which he flew around the globe in 108 minutes. The first manned flight into space by Yuri Gagarin meant a high risk for the life of the cosmonaut, so Gagarin was awarded the honorary title of Hero of the Soviet Union after a successful flight.

German Titov was the second man who soared into Earth’s orbit on August 6, 1961. To this day Titov is the youngest astronaut to fly into space at the age of only 26, and his one-day and one-hour-long flight, during which he made 17 orbits around the Earth, was the longest at the time. Titov flew into space from the cosmodrome in Baikonur as part of the space mission Vosto–2 and was the first man to photograph and film the Earth from orbit. For the second successfully completed orbital flight in the history of mankind he was awarded the prestigious title of Hero of the Soviet Union. German Titov visited Belgrade in the autumn of 1961.

Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to fly into space on June 16, 1963. To this day Tereshkova remains the youngest female astronaut and the only woman who flew into space on her own. The Vosto–6 space mission lasted for almost 3 days, during which Tereshkova made 48 orbits around the Earth. Valentina Tereshkova is one of the most important pioneers of space conquest. Her heroic deed made her into a national hero in Russia and a role model for many women worldwide.

University library ”Svetozar Markovic” Belgrade

Motif on FDC 5a/2021: Ground trace of ”Vosto–1” complete orbit.

Motif on FDC 5b/2021: Model of the Vostok capsule with its upper stage.

Motif on FDC 5v/2021: the ”Vosto–6” capsule.

Motif on the booklet cover: Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935). Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was the founder of modern cosmonautics who laid the foundations of the Soviet space exploration programme with his scientific work;

Back cover: Dreamer Spacesuit. Dreamer Spacesuit is made of pediatric oncology patients paintings from 20 cities and 10 countries, including Serbia. Dreamer Spacesuit was sent to the International Space Station in April, 2021. The project of UNITY charity foundation (Russia) supported by Roscosmos is intended to inspire and give hope to patients and their families.

Issue was realized in collaboration with the State Space Corporation ”Roscosmos”.

Artistic realization of the issue: Nadežda Skočajić, academic graphic artist.

The ruins of the Đurđevi stupovi Monastery, the endowment of the Great Prince Stefan Nemanja, stand on top of the wooded hill that dominates the landscape of Novi Pazar. Complex – which consists of the church of St. George, refectory, dwelling, cistern and walls with an entrance tower – was built in eighth decade of the 12th century. The single–nave temple with a tripartite altar space, a nave with side vestibules and a narthex flanked by two towers, in its external appearance reveals the spirit of Western, Romanesque architecture. The frescoes, today mostly damaged and partly transferred of the Komnenos style and skilfully adapted to the architecture of the temple, which was especially evident in the unique dome with an eliptical plan. The entrance tower was turned into a chapel and the tomb of King Dragutin when the apse was added to the east side in 1282/83. Apart from the fact that the interior of the chapel is painted with frescoes of historical content, the works carried out in the monastery at the end of the 13th century included the construction of a new refectory, dwellings and painting of the catholicon’s nartex. The deterioration of the complex began in Otoman times, and culminated in the wars of the first half of twentieth century. Archaelogical and restoration works were carried out from 1960 to 1982, and the monastery life was renewed at the end of the last century. As part of the architectural complex of Stari Ras with Sopoćani, the monastery has been on the World Heritage List since 1979.

Expert collaboration: Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia – Belgrade

Artistic realization of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić

Studenica, as the most important monastery complex of medieval Serbia, still represents a great artistic and spiritual centre of the Serbian people. Since the 12th century, when it was founded, this monastic community has not at any time interrupted its centuries-long life, whose cultural layers are recognized in a number of architectural and painting achievements. The endowment and tomb of the founder of the Nemanjić dynasty served as a model for many rulers of this line, not only as an incentive to build mausoleums that would resemble the Church of the Mother of God, but also as a place where they could give their personal contribution. Thus, after the construction of the monastery walls and catholicon, several buildings were built over time that were supposed to satisfy the religious and economic needs of the Studenica fraternity: the dining room, Radosav’s narthex, the church of St. Nicholas and St. John, King’s Church, lodgings, etc. Along with the builders, numerous painters worked in Studenica, from those who marked the path of Serbian medieval painting with masterpieces of Byzantine frescoes of the 13th century, through the court workshop of King Milutin and leading artists of the renewed Patriarchate of Peć, to the 19th century painters. Some of the capital examples of Serbian applied art are kept in the Treasury. Inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1986, the Studenica Monastery is a cultural monument where protective works are performed continuously.

Expert collaboration: Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia – Belgrade. Artistic realization of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić

Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God in the Gračanica Monastery, the endowment of the king Milutin, was built in the second decade of the 14th century. Constructed in the form of a five-domed building with an inscribed cross plan, the church of Gračanica is one of the top architectural achievements of the era. In the middle of the 14th century, an outer narthex was added. Michael and Eutychius, famous painters from Thessaloniki, finished the frescoes by 1321. In the central dome, below the image of Christ Pantocrator, the Heavenly Liturgy, prophets and evangelists are presented. There are the Great Feasts Cycle, the Passion of Christ, Miracles and Parables, Christ’s appearances after the Resurrection, scenes from the life of the Mother of God, St. Nicholas and the Calendar of Saints in the nave. There are Eucharistic and Old Testament themes in the altar. Milutin and his wife Simonis, a Byzantine princess, are depicted as rulers by the will of God, because their crowns are brought to them by angels from heaven. The geneaology of the Nemanjić dinasty and the Last Judgment are painted in the narthex, while fragments of frescoes painted in the 14th century and around 1570 are preserved in the outer narthex. In addition to the compositions from the cycle of the Ecumenical Councils, the Akathist of the Mother of God and the Baptism, there are portraits of Serbian archbishops and patriarchs and scene of the funeral of Metropolitan Dionysius of Gračanica. The Gračanica treasury was destroyed in fires between 1379 and 1383. Today, the monastery houses a significant collection of icons, among which the oldest one is Christ the Merciful from the 14th century, unique in its dimensions (269 x 139 cm). Works on the conservation of architecture and paintings take place permanently. It was inscribed in the World Heritage List in 2006, as a part of architectural complex of Medieval monuments in Kosovo, with two more monastery complexes.

Expert collaboration: Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia – Belgrade

Artistic realization of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić

Earth Day – 22 April is a date which represents the occasion to reassess our relationship towards the planet we live on. At the same time, it is a public campaign to stop or alleviate the consequences of destructive civilizational development.

The initiative to mark Earth Day, which was established in 1970 in the United States of America and has been celebrated worldwide since 1992, has become a global incentive for actions which address today’s major environmental issues.

In recent years, there have been more discussions about climate change and it’s consequences on the planet, and those topics have been the focus of this international date. The care for the preservation of nature and the survival of the planet are of special importance, since the state of the environment, the economy, way of life, and even the reduction of poverty in the world depend on people’s treatment of nature and natural resources. Disturbance of ecological balance and excessive exploitation of the planet’s resources are global problems that endanger all countries to a certain extent.

Serbia is a country that can still boast areas with preserved nature, unaltered landscapes and a significant degree of biodiversity conservation. However, that obliges us not to repeat other people’s mistakes, and to properly evaluate and preserve what we have as a unique part of the planet Earth.

Expert collaboration: Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia.

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Nadežda Skočajić, academic graphic artist

175 Years of the Faculty of Civil Engineering University of Belgrade

The Faculty of Civil Engineering of the University of Belgrade is the oldest and leading educational and scientific institution of civil engineering and geodesy in Serbia. The beginning of higher education began on 19 June 1846, when on the initiative of Atanasije Nikolić, by profession a geodetic engineer, the "Engineering School" at the Lyceum in Belgrade was formed. Atanasije Nikolić was also the first rector of the Lyceum, the first president of the Society of Serbian Letters (the predecessor of SANU), but also the founder of the first theatre in Belgrade – the Theatre on Đumruk, in 1841.

When the Ministry of Construction of Serbia was established in 1862, the foundation of construction legislation in Serbia was laid. The following year, the Lyceum evolved into the Higher School with three faculties: Philosophical, Technical and Legal, which in 1905 grew into a University. On the site of the former "Race track", the Technical Faculty received a new, in many ways the most beautiful building in Belgrade in 1931. It was built according to the project of university professors Vojislav Zadjina, a civil engineer and at that time dean of the Technical Faculty, and architects Nikola Nestorović and Branko Tanazević, in the spirit of academism with dominant classicist elements. Today, this building houses three faculties of technical sciences: Civil Engineering, Architecture and Electrical Engineering.

Over the past 175 years, the forms of higher education, political circumstances, laws and curricula have changed. However, civil engineering and geodesy have remained engineering disciplines highly significant for the development of the state and society. In that period, almost 13,500 students graduated, about 550 received their master's degrees, and more than 370 engineers received their doctorates. Under the auspices of the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Belgrade, other faculties were established in Serbia and the surrounding area: in Novi Sad, Banja Luka, Podgorica. The impressive contribution of civil and geodetic engineers is built into the foundations of modern Serbia. A large number of scientists and public figures are among them, of whom Milutin Milanković and Nikola Pašić, both civil engineers, are probably the most famous.

Modern, recognizable and efficient, the Faculty of Civil Engineering today proudly celebrates its great jubilee. On the foundations of the glorious past, we create a better future, guided by the postulates written on the coat of arms of the Faculty: studere, docere, aedificare – research, educate, build. And this has been the case for 175 years.

Expert collaboration: Prof. Vladan Kuzmanović, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering.

Artistic realization of the issue: Anamari Banjac, academic painter.

75 Years Since the Reconstruction of the Road-Railway Bridge Over the Danube

75 years since the reconstruction of the road and railway bridge over the Danube will be marked in November 2021.

On 10th November 1935 Prince regent Pavle Karađorđević opened for public traffic the Pančevo railway and the new "Bridge of the King Petar Karađorđević".

The construction of the bridge attracted the attention of the public since it was one of the biggest in Europe. The total length was 1,526 m, out of which 1,134 m was above the water while the viaduct above the right riverside of the Danube was 134.9 m and the extension of the bridge above the left riverside was 256.8m.

The Pančevo Bridge was constructed by the German companies: "Deutsch Luxemburgisch Bergwerks und Hütten, A. G." (upper part) and "Siemens-Bauunion G.M.B.H. – Siemenstand" (concrete pillars, etc). Roadway was constructed by the French company "Batinol".

During the destruction in the Second World War, the Bridge was damaged. In April 1941 it was torn down by the Yugoslav Army in order to slow down the progress of Nazis, but the Germans repaired it for their needs. The Bridge suffered severe damage during the bombing of the Allies, and it was blown up after the withdrawal of occupiers from Belgrade in October 1944

The post-war reconstruction works on the Bridge started on 1st November 1945 executed by the Red Army that had a vast number of experts with the necessary mechanization, with the aid of a part of our First Railway Brigade. The Bridge was repaired by the end of 1946.

The first train over the reconstructed Red Army Bridge passed on 7th November 1946, and Josip Broz Tito put into operation the road part of the Bridge on 29th November with the simbolic ribbon cutting.

Expert collaboration: Railway Museum within JSC "Serbian Railways".

Artistic realization of the issue: Anamari Banjac, academic painter.

Falco cherrug – Falco cherrug

The breeding area of the saker falcon stretches from the Central Europe in the west eastwards to Manchuria in the east, across the temperate zone of Eurasia

The males and females are similar in colouration, but the females are larger and heavier. It mainly feds on rodents and birds, most often on the European ground squirrel and pigeons. The saker falcon breeds in Serbia in nests made by other birds, mainly ravens, snatched from the host during March. This species lays three to six eggs. The female lies on the eggs, but both parents look after the chicks.

The saker falcon is threatened worldwide and the fast population decline is observed everywhere, particularly in Asia where most of the population lives. The main causes of the population decline are destroying of habitats, persecution and killing. In Serbia, the saker falcon is the most significant species of globally threatened birds, with some 40 breeding pairs at the moment

It has а status of strictly protected species. The protection measures applied in Serbia include artificial nests that the saker falcon accepts readily.

Eremophila alpestris – Eremophila alpestris

The shore lark is the only species of lark that is found in the Americas, apart from Eurasia and North Africa. The shore lark is a widespread species, but is linked to specific habitats and never frequently seen and numerous. In Serbia, this species breeds in high mountains.

The shore lark lives in grassy and rocky habitats with low vegetation cover and barren parts in the mountains. It feeds on insects and grass seeds. The sexes differ in colouration and the feather on the head, resembling “horns” that gave the bird its American name: the horned lark. The males perform their wedding flight during which they sing and attract the females. In general, the shore lark lays two to five eggs with only the female lying on them, but both parents feed the chicks.

The species is not threatened globally, but in Serbia is classified as locally threatened species. The overgrown habitats and global warming are considered the main reasons of decline in number of this species in Serbia.

Expert collaboration: Marko Raković, Ph.D., Natural History Museum in Belgrade.

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Marija Vlahović, academic graphic artist.

150 years since sending the first Serbian postcard

First Serbian postcard, popularly called ”Zmaj” (Dragon), was sent by Jovan Manojlović on 19th of May 1871 from Vienna, from the editorial board of the newspaper ”Zmaj” to Sombor, to the address of a lawyer Dimitrije Manojlović. It was written in Serbian language, in Cyrillic. The postcard was printed on a cardboard of 155 mm x 105 mm format, in the coloured copper engraving technique, done by the Vienna typographer and carver Rudolf Schürer von Waldheim at the beginning of 1871. The postcard was ordered by the editorial board of the satirical newspaper ”Zmaj”, which was one of the first and the best edited humorous newspapers in Serbian language. It was the reason why its founder and editor-in-chief, poet Jovan Jovanović was nicknamed Zmaj. This satirical newspaper was founded by Jovan Jovanović in 1864, and the name ”Zmaj” is a play on words, since May 3 was the date of the May Assembly in 1848 (in Cyrillic 3. мај – Змај).

Разгледницу је наручила редакција сатиричног часописа „Змај”, који је један од првих и најбоље уређиваних шаљивих листова на српском језику, и по којем је његов покретач и уредник Јован Јовановић и добио надимак Змај. Овај сатирични часопис Јован Јовановић покренуо је 1864. године, а назив „Змај” је игра речима, пошто је 3. мај био датум одржавања Мајске скупштине 1848. године.

Visual design of the postcard, a drawing depicting the mythical creature – dragon with outstretched wings, under which there are Constantinople and Moscow, and between them the steamer with the Serbian flag, was done by geodetic lieutenant Petar Manojlović. Moreover, the newspaper ”Zmaj” was published from 1864 to 1871 in Budim, Novi Sad and last year in Vienna, where six issues plus a special issue, for reputation, were printed, after which the magazine ”Zmaj” stopped publishing. The paper maintained a fighting stance towards the Serbian regime and conservatives in Hungary, gained a good reputation with sharp satire, but had problems with a small number of subscribers and with difficult entry into Serbia, where it was not otherwise banned.

The postcard ”Zmaj” was one of the first in the world and it represents a rarity at the global level. Of the entire printed circulation, only one copy has survived to this day, and it is known that it was owned by the Manojlović family until the 1930s, which was published in Belgrade’s newspapers ”Pravda” in 1929. It is such a rarity that it even entered the encyclopaedia in our country (YLI). The postcard was exhibited at a philatelic auction in Paris in 1964, and to this day only a dozen people around the world have owned this postcard, which has been in collections in Belgium, France and Germany... Last time it was sold to the current owner at the 2009 auction in Salzburg.

© Institut for valorisation and presentation of postcards (IZVOR), Zagreb

Expert collaboration: Union of Philatelists of Serbia

Graphic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

125 Years since the Birth of Sava Šumanović

Sava Šumanović (Vinkovci, 22 January 1896 – Sremska Mitrovica, 30 August 1942) is one of the greatest Serbian painters of all time. He completed Grammar school in Zemun, and College for Arts and Crafts in Zagreb, where he staged his first solo exhibition in 1918.

In the autumn of 1920 he went to Paris, where he studied at the Academy with the prominent artist André Lhote. That was the time when the most significant cubist paintings in the history of our painting were created: Sculptor at the Studio, Still Life with a Clock, Sailor on the Dock, Port Agent. After Paris he returned to Zagreb where he wrote essays Painter on Painting and Why I Love Poussin's Painting, very significant for understanding his ideas and art.

He went to Paris again in 1925, where he exhibited at the Autumn Salon in 1926. At the time Breakfast on the Grass was created, a self-portrait with four nudes in the landscape. He also participated in the painting of the cult café “La Coupole“ in 1927, and in the same year he painted Drunk Ship, which he exhibited at the Salon of the Independents.

He returned to Šid in 1928, painted the first landscapes from “Sremska krajina“, near Šid, on which he depicted a unique light of his homeland. In the autumn of 1928 in Belgrade, he exhibited paintings created in Paris, and the exhibition was well received by both the critics and the public. He went to Paris again, where he created masterpieces: Red Carpet, Lying Female Nude, Luxembourg Park in Paris.

In March 1930 he returned to Šid. He painted nudes based on sketches he brought from Paris and landscapes from his surroundings. These themes remained dominant in his work to the very end. In September 1939 in Belgrade, he organized great solo exhibition where he exhibited 410 paintings. Satisfied with the success of the exhibition, he continued to work with great enthusiasm, despite the war.

In 1941, Šid became part of the NDH. In one senseless Ustasha action on the day of Dormition of the Mother of God in 1942, Sava Šumanović was arrested and shot with a group of citizens of Šid in Sremska Mitrovica, where he was buried in a common grave.

Motif on the stamp: Pickers-Evenke, 1939, oil on canvas; motif on the vignette: Linden alley, 1941, oil on canvas; motif on the cover: The Church of Šid, 1940, oil on canvas.

Expert collaboration: Jovana Lakić, director, Gallery of paintings “Sava Šumanović“ in Šid

100 Years since the Birth of Zoran Petrović

Zoran Petrović (Sakule, 7 April 1921 – 23 June 1996) completed Grammar school in Pančevo, and the Academy of Arts in Belgrade in 1948 with professors V. PomoriŠac, М. Milunović and I. Tabaković. He attended a special course in 1949 in the class of professor Đ. Andrejević Kun. From 1951 to 1953 he was a member of the the Independent group, and from 1955 to 1960 of the December group. He participated in the founding of art colonies in Bačka Topola and Ečka. He exhibited in numerous group exhibitions since 1948, аnd in solo exhibitions since 1953 throughout Yugoslavia and abroad. He was a full-time professor at the Department of Drawing and Painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts (former ALU) in Belgrade (1949 – 1986). He was engaged in painting, sculpture, drawing and collage, and at the same time in literature (Village of Sakule, and in Banat, Windows of the Plains), he wrote radio plays and monodramas, and the script for the film Hitler from our alley. He was a member of the Association of Fine Artists of Serbia since 1949 and the Association of Playwrights of Serbia. He won several awards: ”The Memorial of Nadežda Petrović” in Čačak in 1961, the Drawing Award of the Lernier Foundation in Sao Paolo in 1961, the Seventh of July Award of the Republic of Serbia in 1962, the ULUS Award in 1966 and others. His works are part of many public and private collections. In 1979, he set up a permanent gallery of his paintings, drawings and sculptures in his family house in Sakule in Banat, and in 1989 he donated a legacy of 100 works to the city of Pančevo.

Since 1955 when exhibited with the December group, he opted for abstract, monochrome forms with an informal structure. Since 1957, he intensively devoted himself to experiments in sculpture, creating installations of boiled and cast iron and steel. In a unique way, with fiction and association on the topic of imaginery machines-beings, warriors of the modern Apocalypse with a man-victim of civilization who warns and sends anti-war messages in a witty and ironic way, he marked one of the most significant periods of late Yugoslav and Serbian modernism.

Motif on the stamp: A guest hates another guest, and the host hates both, from the cycle Folk proverbs, 1955, ink and tempera on paper; motif on the vignette: Warrior form, 1982, sheet metal, cast and weld iron; motifs on the cover: This knight was afraid of war, too, 1968, cast and weld iron and steel; Little grumpy marksman, 1992, sheet metal, plastic, cast and weld iron.

Expert collaboration: Gordana StaniŠić, museum adviser, The National Museum in Belgrade

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

Africa Day is celebrated on May 25, in memory of the day when the heads of 32 independent states of the African continent signed the charter in Addis Ababa, which created the first organisation of independent African states – the Organisation of African Unity, that later grew into an organisation called the African Union. The primary goal of the African Union is to achieve the unity and solidarity of African countries and their citizens, in accordance with the Union’s vision of a united, prosperous Africa, as a continent of peace, governed by its people.

The commemorative postage stamp has a pan-African motif – a wooden sculpture Map of Africa, a sculpture by Nikola Kolja Milunović, made of different types of wood from Africa, which was created on the occasion of the opening of the Museum of African Art in Belgrade. The sculpture is specific because the relief does not represent a geographical, but a political map of the continent after decolonization.

Eight vignettes of this issue, pay a special trubute to countries whose contributions to African unity and pan-African initiatives have echoes in Serbia as well – Nigeria is represented by the Head of Olokun, a bronze alloy sculpture; Angola is represented by a wooden Sculpture of Woman; Algeria is represented by a stringed instrument Imzad; a Horse Saddle symbolizes the artistic crafts of Morocco and Khayamiya textile reperesent Egypt. These objects are part of the rich collection of the Museum of African Art in Belgrade. The figures of the Masai people are characteristic of Kenya; The camel skin bag symbolizes the artistic crafts of Tunisia, while Ethiopia is represented by the Prayer Book on Parchment, of the Ethiopian Oriental Orthodox Church. These precious items, also shown on the vignettes, are kept in the Book and Travel Museum of the Society Adligat. All motifs and colours of the vignettes illustrate the cultural richness and splendour of the people of the African continent.

The FDC shows an Admiral type anchor from the Negriera wrecked slave ship, and a fishing boat from the Mankwadze village in Ghana, exhibits of the Museum of African Art, also shown on the FDC, which is the first and only one in the region dedicated exclusively to the cultures and arts of the African continent and represents an important cultural link between Serbia and Africa. In the background is a painting on the bark of a tree Birds on a tree, Swahili coast art, tinagatinga painting of Tanzania, from the Book and Travel Museum of the Society Adligat, which inherits highly important collections from many African countries, thus forming a significant point of cooperation between the cultural institutions of Serbia and African countries.

Expert collaboration: Museum of African Art, Belgrade; Society Adligat for Culture, Arts and International cooperation.

Graphic realization of the issue: Nadežda Skočajić, MA graphic artist.

“Blederija” natural monument

It is located on the southwestern edge of the Danube Key region, southwest of Kladovo and is placed under protection in order for the richness and forms of geodiversity to be preserved. The spring of Blederija is of a broken type, with four places where the spring flows out, two accumulative waterfalls, of which the lower one, due to its height of about 7 m, beauty and richness of water, is an object of hydrological heritage of Serbia. Large accumulations of tufa are in the lower course, and the Sokolovica spring cave, with the occasional gravitational spring of the same name and periodic flow, is downstream from the “Grad” site, to the place where it meets with the Suvaja and Blederija streams, which cut a picturesque limestone gorge with several distinct narrows and waterfalls.

In the area of natural monuments of 398.87 ha, the Second Protection Regime has been established. The natural monument is entrusted to the management of the Tourist Organization of Kladovo. In the area of natural monuments with an area of 398.87 ha, the II protection regime has been established.

A special nature reserve “Osredak”

The special reserve “Osredak” is protected in order for the wetland habitats to be preserved in the valley of the West Morava, which consist of a network of old tributaries, oxbow lakes and dozens of newly formed lakes, as well as Paleozoic crystalline shales of high degree of metamorphism in the valley, over which the Neogene and Quaternary rock complex, Belovodski sandstones and Pannonian-Pontic sediments spread.

The presence of 44 plant species, the remains of the mesophilic lowland floodplain pedunculate forests, communities of white and crack willows, white and black poplars, purple willow and endangered plant species such as yellow water lily, sedge, common horsetail and comfrey were recorded in the reserve. Many rare and protected bird species (83 of them) nest in this nature reserve, and it is also the habitat for amphibians, among which are the great green frog, toad and green toad, as well as pond turtles and snakes – grass snake, dice snake and aesculapian snake.

In the area of the Special Nature Reserve of 245.75 ha, the Second and Third degree of protection has been established, and it has been entrusted to the management of the Public Utility Enterprise Kruševac.

Expert collaboration: Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia.

Artistic realisation of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić

Digitalisation and digital technologies are changing the modern world in a way that cannot be compared to other changes in the long history of human civilisation. Some of the most important topics, which are especially marked by the social changes caused by digitalisation and the phenomena that accompany them, can be classified into categories that are symbolically represented by the commemorative postage stamps of the Digitalisation issue. E-government enables multiple and rapid changes for the better in the social organisation and quality of life of citizens and enables further connection with all places on the planet and all the people and nations of the world. Digital creative industries enable new rises of human imagination and artistic expression and experience, available to a broader audience, on new platforms with new opportunities for interaction and participation, which contribute to the building of community and personal progress of each individual. Digitalisation of cultural heritage enables dynamic global exchange of cultural experiences of individual communities and joint creation of generally recognisable cultural patterns and models, while preserving cultural features and identities of nations with fewer speakers of the mother tongue and a smaller scope of national cultural space.

Digitalisation in the Republic of Serbia is carried out at an accelerated pace during year 2021, especially because of the need to relocate many activities of social and public importance to virtual space due to epidemiological circumstances caused by the Corona virus pandemic. The edition of the commemorative postage stamps Digitalisation is therefore dedicated, not only to the modern age of digitalisation, but also to the specific use value of technology and tools arising from this phenomenon of the modern world, and in the circumstances of human development in the year 2021.

Expert collaboration: University Library “Svetozar Marković”

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Boban Savić, academic painter

Kruševac – the medieval capital of Prince Lazar, today a modern city of contemporary Serbia, has an extremely rich cultural and historical heritage and firmly relies on the foundations of its glorious past. Prince Lazar built it in 1371, choosing it as his capital.

The church of Lazarica, built from 1376 to 1380, testifies to the glorious past of Lazar’s city, in which the Serbian army received the Holy communion before leaving for the Battle of Kosovo. Prince Lazar built this church in honour of his firstborn son Stefan. Besides Lazarica church, the remains of the Prince’s court and the Donjon – the main defensive tower – testify to the splendour of Lazar’s city.

Lazar’s city is adorned with a monument to Prince Lazar and the building of the National Museum. Not far from Lazar’s city, on Despot Stefan Square, in 2018, a bronze monument to Princess Milica was erected by sculptor Zoran Ivanović.

Medieval history was also the inspiration for the mosaic complex ”In the Glory of Kruševac”, which adorns one of the most beautiful architectural buildings in the city from the beginning of the 20th century, the Prefecture, today the seat of the City Administration. Colouristic splendour, multiplicity of motifs and a dose of mysticism, are the characteristics of the mosaic consisting of wall and floor mosaics, stained glass and lunettes in the ceiling niches.

In the rich history of Kruševac, the memory of the period of conflict with the Turks is preserved at the Simić House, built before the liberation of the city from the Turks in 1833, where the Prince Mileta rebellion was agreed upon. The symbol of Kruševac, the Monument to Kosovo Heroes in the city centre, is one of the most successful sculptural works from the beginning of the 20th century, by Đorđe Jovanović, who was awarded the First Order Gold Medal at the World Fair in Paris in 1900.

Kruševac is also proud of the Memorial Complex ”Slobodište”, where the Nazis shot hundreds of patriots from Kruševac and the surrounding area during the Second World War.

The city is surrounded by exceptional nature – Jastrebac mountain, only 20 km from the city centre, Kopaonik mountain, as well as Ribarska Banja, which is one of the oldest Serbian spas, provide exceptional opportunities for rest and treatment, with landscapes attractive to all nature lovers, making Kruševac today an important regional cultural and tourist centre.

Expert collaboration: City of Kruševac

Artistic realization of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić

Summer Olympic Games are a leading international sport event where thousands of athletes from around the world compete in a variety of sports and disciplines. At the beginning, it was a modest sport event, and today it has grown into a major multi-sport event that has an impact on cultural, financial, tourist and technological development. 

Games of the XXXII Olympiad will be the second in the history of the Olympic movement to be held in Tokyo. From July 23 to August 8, 2021, the capital of Japan will host close to 11000 athletes who will compete in 33 Olympic sports and 50 disciplines. 

Tokyo was elected the host city of XXXII Summer Olympic Games at the 125^th Session of the International Olympic Committee held on September 7, 2013 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. 

Cities that were also bidding for the opportunity to host the best athletes in the world during the 2020 Games were Istanbul, Turkey and Madrid, Spain. Madrid was eliminated in the first round of voting, while in the second round Tokyo received 60, and Istanbul 36 votes.

Tokyo was the host to the Olympic Games for the first time in 1964.

The Olympic Team of Serbia in Tokyo currently comprises of 70 athletes in 13 different sports: 4 team sports (basketball, 3x3 basketball, volleyball, water polo) and 9 individual sports (athletics, karate, kayak, swimming, wrestling, archery, taekwondo, rowing, table tennis).

Bearing in mind that the qualification period lasts until mid-July, it is expected that the Serbian team will increase further and will count close to 100 athletes.

We will also have representatives in tennis and judo in the Team.

Expert collaboration: Olympic Committee of SerbiaExpert collaboration: Olympic Committee of Serbia.

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Nadežda Skočajić, academic graphic artist

Technical details
1. јул 2021.
Уметничка обрада Надежда Скочајић

Union of War Veterans of the National Liberation Wars of Serbia and the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs, under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Serbia, this year organize numerous activities to mark the 80th anniversary of the uprising of the Serbian people against fascism and the fascist occupier. Preservation of historical values of National Liberation Movement (NOP) from 1941 to 1945 and the truth about the anti-fascist struggle of Serbia represent one of the fundamental principles, values and goals that SUBNOR of Serbia stands for in fulfilling its role as a social organisation, trying to ignore any falsification of historical facts and diminishing the role of anti-fascist forces in liberating the country from the occupier.

History unequivocally shows that the Serbian people are freedom-loving and disobedient in their nature. Even when many nations and countries with larger population knelt before fascist Germany and the Axis Powers, at the very beginning of the Second World War, the Serbian people said their resolute NO to the occupier and with enormous civilian casualties and terrifying destruction, together with victorious forces, stood shoulder to shoulder with the then USSR and other anti-fascist nations, movements and countries in breaking one of the greatest evils that befell the world in the middle of the 20th century.

In memory of all those who sacrificed their lives fighting against fascism for the sake of our freedom, as well as the heroic struggle of the Serbian people and all other nations living in Serbia, the Post of Serbia and SUBNOR of Serbia dedicate this issue of postage stamps to them.

Motif on the stamp: Demonstrations in Belgrade, 27th March 1941. Motifs on the vignettes: Milo Milunović, “First day of freedom”; Frano Šimunović, “Partisan convoy”; Jovan Bijelić, “Bombing of Belgrade 1941”; Milić Stanković, “Day of 20th October 1941”. Motifs on the cover: Dragoljub Vuksanović, “I’m fighting, and you?” and “Fight the occupier”, posters from 1941; Demonstrations in Knez Mihailova street in Belgrade, 27th March 1941.

Expert collaboration: SUBNOR of Serbia and Military Museum in Belgrade

Graphic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

Dragoslav Srejović (1931 – 1996)

Dragoslav Srejović (Kragujevac, 8 October 1931 – Belgrade, 29 November 1996) one of the greatest archaeologists in our region, cultural anthropologist, University professor and academician. He completed his primary school and high school in Kragujevac, and graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade, Group of Archaeology in 1954. Elected to the position of Research Assistant in 1958. Received doctorate in 1964 with his dissertation titled “Neolithic and Aeneolithic Anthropomorph Plastic in Yugoslavia”. Appointed to the position of Associate Professor in 1970; became a Full Professor in 1976. In 1974, he was elected a corresponding member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU), and a full member in 1983 as the youngest member ever admitted to the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts. He was the Director of the SANU Gallery since 1989, and the SANU Vice President since 1994.

Academician Srejović led archaeological excavations at 67 prehistoric and antiquity localities in Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro (Duklja, Srebrenica, Lepenski Vir, Vlasac, Divostin, Gamzigrad, Šarkamen, etc). He published more than 200 papers in the country and abroad. The excavations that he led in 1964 became a global sensation: the Palaeolith culture of Lepenski Vir from the period was revealed to the world, with the oldest Europe’s monumental sculpture and human settlement. He received the Belgrade October Award for the book published in 1969 – “Lepenski Vir – the New Prehistoric Culture in the Danube Valley”.

The archaeological excavations from 1970 till 1996 led by Dragoslav Srejović revealed another great discovery – the imperial Roman palace Felix Romuliana in Gamzigrad, the summer residence and mausoleum of the Roman emperor: Tetrarch Galerius. With his excavations, Professor Srejović scientifically clarified the existence of the fortified imperial palace, shattering the earlier misconceptions about the character and role of Romuliana. Today, the imperial palace Felix Romuliana is listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The cities of Belgrade, Novi Sad, Kragujevac and Zaječar each have one street named after him.

After his death, the Dragoslav Srejović Foundation was established to promote large scientific and art projects within SANU.

Artistic realisation of the issue: MA Marija Vlahović, academic graphic artist.

Francophonie is an international organisation representing countries and regions where French is a national, official, working or the language of international communication. Francophonie comprises 53 full member countries and 13 observers, one of which is Serbia. This important international organisation supports activities founded on the French language and culture built upon this language, of which the academic activities make an important segment. Its motto is Equality, Complementarity and Solidarity, reflecting the desire of the member countries and regions to cooperate on equal grounds in common, shared, cultural and linguistic framework developed equally by all.

The significance of this organisation is supreme in the field of work on culture and linguistics development in the age of globalism when the need for preservation of cultural and linguistic special features is more prominent than ever. The Francophonie International Organisation is an observer at the UN Security Council sessions. Francophonie Summits are held biannually, when the leaders of member countries have the opportunity to meet and develop the Organisation’s strategies and objectives.

The issue of commemorative postal stamp Francophonie marks the 60^th anniversary of the day when the Association of Francophone Universities (Agence universitaire de la Francophonie - AUF), an organisation of academic cooperation within the French-speaking area was founded in Montreal. This international organisation gives significant contribution to the development of academic environment in Serbia, and the issue of the commemorative postal stamp marks its significance for the development of Francophonie and the relationship between Serbia and francophone countries, especially in the field of academia. The equal and intensive cooperation of academic communities in Serbia and France and other francophone countries worldwide, within the broader topic of development of general francophone cooperation in which the Republic of Serbia takes active part, is of a crucial importance for the development of economy, science, culture and society in Serbia, as well as for making more comprehensive Serbia’s contribution to global development trends.

Expert collaboration: University Library “Svetozar Marković“

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Anamari Banjac, academic painter

Kraljevo

Kraljevo is a city of rich history and culture, on the territory of which a modern Serbian state was created. It is located on the banks of the Ibar and West Morava at the very gate of the Valley of Centuries, which provides a unique opportunity to visit in just one day the monastery Žiča (13^th century), where seven Serbian kings were crowned, one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in Europe – the mysterious Maglič (13^th century) and the Serbian pearl on the UNESCO list, the Studenica monastery (12^th century), which is rightly called the mother of all Serbian monasteries.

The city itself is architecturally interestingly designed and is recognizable by the large circular square dominated by the Monument to the Serbian Warriors, from which the streets branch in four directions, and all of them intersect at right angles. The central city zone is a real pedestrian oasis with a large number of cafes, bars, pastry shops, restaurants and pizzerias. For a slightly longer walk, the promenade along the river Ibar is ideally arranged, where there are several river rafts and beach bars where you can take a rest, relax from the walk and enjoy the beauties of nature just a few hundred meters from the city noise.

Stamp motif: Monument to the Serbian Warriors.

Vignette motif: Monument of Resistance and Victory – located in the city park near the train station. It is dedicated to the victims and battles of Kraljevo in the Second World War. The author of the monument is the Yugoslav and Slovenian sculptor Lojze Dolinar. The monument was unveiled on November 29, 1959, to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the liberation of Kraljevo in World War II.

Expert collaboration: Tourist Organization of the City of Kraljevo.

Artistic realization of the issue: Anamari Banjac, academic painter.

Novi Pazar

Surrounded by the heights of Golija and Rogozna mountains and Pešter plateau, Novi Pazar is located in the valley of the same name, on the most beautiful slopes of the Nature Park Golija and at the confluence of the rivers Raška and Jošanica. An exceptional geographical position – on Stambol Road, the main link between the then Republic of Dubrovnik and the centre of the Ottoman Empire, predetermined the engagement of Pazar’s population in trade as a basic occupation since time immemorial, after which the city itself got its name.

According to the 2011 census, Novi Pazar has 109,327 inhabitants, while according to unofficial data, this city has over 120,000 inhabitants.

Novi Pazar is also known for its cultural values of international, national and regional significance, rich gastronomy and spas. The city is adorned with UNESCO-protected monuments: the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul – the oldest monument of church architecture in Serbia, the Đurđevi Stupovi Monastery, the first Serbian capital – the Old Town of Ras, and the Sopoćani Monastery. There is also the Old Bazaar, bordered by the Arab Mosque at the beginning and the Altun-Alem Mosque at the bottom of the Bazaar; the fortress with the Watchtower, the hamam of Isa-beg Ishaković, the founder of Novi Pazar. Novopazarska and Rajčinovićka spas are widely known for their healing characteristics.

Thanks to the beauty of the landscape and the importance of its geographical position, rich cultural and historical heritage, Novi Pazar has grown into a unique multiethnic space where Western and Eastern civilisations meet and Christian and Islamic culture mix.

Stamp motif: panorama of Novi Pazar with the Old Bazaar.

Vignette motif: Watchtower on the ramparts of the city fortress.

Expert collaboration: Tourist Organization Novi Pazar.

Artistic realization of the issue: Anamari Banjac, academic painter.

Mexico and Serbia have always shared the basic values of freedom, national integrity and equality among peoples and states. The commemorative stamp edition entitled ”75 years of diplomatic relations between Serbia and Mexico” has been issued in celebration of 75 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relations between Mexico and Serbia. In 2021 two friendly countries joined in celebrating the anniversary of diplomatic links formalized on May 24^th 1946.

During the historic events that led to the consolidation of Serbia as the successor nation of the former Yugoslavia, Mexico always has remained close to the people of Serbia. In fact, since Mexico opened its embassy in Belgrade in 1951, it has never closed its doors. At no time were official and social links ever suspended with the people of Serbia. Mexico has sustained its stand on the respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the people of Serbia until present day. The high-level political dialogue and the cultural and academic exchanges developed during 75 years has built a strong foundation of friendship and cooperation between the two countries based upon the social dimension of their bilateral agenda.

In celebrating the first 75 years of diplomatic relations, Mexico and Serbia have ratified their willingness to deepen their links, confronting the challenges in context of the pandemic COVID-19, and to advance the bilateral cooperation to consolidate a new stage of prosperous relations for both nations in the globalized world of the 21^st century. The strong friendship between the two nations will remain as the engine of a new era between the Mexican and Serbian people.

Expert collaboration: Carlos Felix, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Serbia. Embassy of Mexico in Serbia.

Artistic realisation of the issue: MA Marija Vlahović, academic graphic artist.

After the armies of the Central Powers surrounded Serbia in the fall of 1915, the commander-in-chief of the Serbian Army, Crown Prince Aleksandar, with the state leadership and commanders of his armies, decided to cross Albania, as the road from Metohija (where the army was concentrated) through Macedonia was cut off.

The withdrawal of the Serbian army and civilians over the snow-capped mountains of Albania and Montenegro, from November 1915 to January 1916, has been recorded in history as the Albanian Golgotha or The Great Retreat. Thanks to the allies, the tortured Serbian soldiers, the people and the state apparatus, who reached the Albanian coast, were transferred to the Greek island of Corfu.

King Aleksandar I Karađorđević, who as well participated in the Albanian Golgotha, established the Commemorative Medal of the Great Serbian Retreat i.e. the Albanian Commemorative Medal in memory of the retreat through Albania, with which he decorated 142,148 officers, non-commissioned officers, corporals, privates, military chaplains, and priests. The Medal was given to all those who were on military duty during the crossing of Albania, as well as members of foreign military missions who retreated through Albania together with the Serbian Army. The decree on the Albanian Commemorative Medal decoration was signed by King Aleksandar on November 6, 1921, and the day of official decoration of Serbian heroes – participants in the Great War with the Commemorative Medal of the Great Serbian Retreat, was set for November 23, 1921.

The Albanian Commemorative Medal was awarded at the suggestion of the Minister of the Army and Navy, with a decree made according to the draft of Đorđe Čarapić, and reproduced at the Military Geographical Institute in Belgrade. The Medal is in the shape of a double-headed eagle with a Serbian shield on its chest and a royal crown on the upper part. On the obverse side, under the eagle, there is a medallion framed with a laurel wreath with the head profile of Aleksandar Karađorđević, framed with the inscription: TO HIS COMRADES IN ARMS – ALEKSANDAR. On the reverse side, there is an inscription in three lines: FOR LOYALTY TO THE HOMELAND. The medals were made by the Parisian company “Arthus-Bertrand“.

Motif on stamp and FDC: Albanian Commemorative Medal – charters

Motifs on vignettes: portraits of the recipients of the Albanian Commemorative Medal

Expert collaboration: Association of Descendants of Serbian Warriors 1912–1920, within the project “Album of Memories of Our Ancestors from the First World War“. Graphic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

The competitive water polo started in Serbia in 1921 when the first national championship took place, won by Sombor Water Polo Club. Shortly after, in 1927, our national selection appeared for the first time at the European Championships in Magdeburg, and the first in a row of medals was won in Vienna at the 1950 European Championships. Our water polo players stood at the victory podium for 48 times since, winning 94 medals in total at the Olympic, world and European competitions! Since 2006, our water polo players have been five-time European champions, two-time world champions, two-time Olympic champions, with two golds at the World Cup, Mediterranean and University games, as well as eleven gold medals at the World League competition.

An indelible trace in our water polo was left by famous players: Sandić, Janković, Muškatirović, Krivokapić, Milanović, Šoštar, Andrić, Vujasinović, Šapić, Šefik, Udovičić, Jelenić, Filipović, Prlainović, Pijetlović, Mandić, and many others; by sports officials such as Lambaša, Radan, and by experts Vuksanović, Čukvas, Orlić, Sajfert and the world’s most trophy-winning selector Ratko Rudić, who launched his coaching career with the Yugoslav representation.

Stamenić, Manojlović, Porobić, Udovičić and the present selector of the national team Savić, with whom the victory podiums were by rights reserved for the Serbian water polo players, continued the victorious path. Emulating the men water polo success, the women water polo started to develop three decades ago, with the ambition to achieve top results in the near future.

The successful leaders of the Serbian Water Polo Federation are an indivisible part of our golden water polo century, before all Sovrović, Krivokapić and Jelenić provided supreme support to our teams with their leadership and organisational skills. Let us not forget the great successes of the club water polo at the European scene: Partizan, Red Star, Bečej and Radnički from Kragujevac. In the 21^st century, the most trophy-winning sports team continues the tradition of top results. The Tašmajdan swimming pool, the host of the biggest sporting events, is considered the temple of world water polo. At the European Championship in 2016 in Belgrade Arena, one of the best organised competitions in the history of water polo, the final match between Serbia and Montenegro, was viewed by record 19,000 spectators! Although today Serbia needs more Olympic-size swimming pools, it would not prevent Serbian water polo players from starting big competitions in the future with the greatest ambitions. In the jubilee year, water polo players once again gave their people the most beautiful gift - the fifth Olympic gold!

Expert assistance: Serbian Water Polo Federation (SWPF)

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Anamari Banjac, academic painter  

In 2021, it will be 145 years since the First Serbian-Turkish War (1876) and the formation of the Russian volunteer movement in whose ranks were many prominent Russians – the commander of the Serbian army Chernyayev, and Colonel Nikolai Rajevski, who inspired Lev Tolstoy to create the character of the Count Vronsky in the novel “Anna Karenina”. A great Russian painter Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov, who described Serbia as „a noble, rich, and prosperous land” was one of those who came to Serbia to help the fraternal people.

The world-renowned master of landscape and genre painting, as a war reporter from the Serbian-Turkish War for the illustrated magazine “Pčela”, left many notes, drawings and graphics, which show the war actions he witnessed and participated in. For the heroism shown in the battles during Serbian-Turkish War, Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov was awarded the Order of the Cross of Takovo.

Motives – Envelope: Reception room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen (1876, wood, oil, 10,2x18, the author Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov). Stamp: Cavalryman of Chernyayev’s squadron (1876, wood, oil, 18x10,5, the author Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov). Vignette: The background of the Serbian army. October 2 1876. (1876, paper, lead pencil, 20,8x26,7, the author Vasily Dmitrievich Polenov). All works are from the holdings of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Culture “Pan-Russian Museum Association “State Tretyakov Gallery”.

Expert collaboration: Russian Centre of Science and Culture “The Russian House” in Belgrade.

Artistic realization of the issue: Nadežda Skočajić, academic graphic artist.

The idea to hold an event every year at the beginning of October, which would be attended by children from all over Europe, was born in the head of Donka Špiček, back in 1968, within the editorial office ”Meetings on Thursdays” at the House of Pioneers in Belgrade. The invitation stated that all segments of the future manifestation will be designed so that children’s play is at the centre of all events.

The first gathering of children from around Europe – the Joy of Europe took place at the beginning of October 1969, with the support of the city government, president Tito, UNICEF and the United Nations General Assembly. More than half a century has passed since then and over 20,000 children have visited Belgrade.

The youngest program unit of the Manifestation is International art competition ”Joy of Europe”, which for the twenty-third time since its founding, brings together children and young artists (from 4 to 18 years) from around the world through wonderful children’s art. Professionally judged works traditionally find their place on the appropriate postage stamp ”Joy of Europe”.

The joy of life will be the main topic for the selection of works for the stamp, vignette and envelope this year, after the last gloomy year that passed in isolation and tension. We celebrate the joy that nature brings to the child’s soul with its magnificent flora and fauna, the joy of movement, the joy of imagination with a book and a painting easel.

This stamp supports the natural and creative way of life in the best possible way, because children’s art carries unique originality, strength and freshness!

Motif on the stamp: drawing by Dunja Sudžum (11 years, Serbia). The authors of drawings on vignettes are: Alina Pagaeva (12 years, Russia), Simon Haburcak, (7 years, Slovakia), Aurora Tsang, (6 years, Hong Kong), Sofia Zakharkina, (7 years, Russia), Gleb Kolchev (6 years, Russia), Dzerassa Ikaeva, (11 years, Russia), Alisa Chernova, (13 years, Russia). Motif on the envelope: drawing by Tanisha Vihol (15 years, India).

Expert collaboration: Lidija Seničar, Editor of drawing and painting competition, Children’s cultural centre Belgrade.

Graphic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist.

The emission of commemorative postal stamps” The 60^th anniversary of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement – Belgrade 1961” is issued to honor the great diplomatic anniversary and very important international event which marked the beginning of the new era in the Cold war period. This was the era in which, beside two antagonistic blocks of countries, NATO and Warsaw pacts, the important role in international relations was starting to belong to the group of countries that stood for ideals of collaboration between countries based on equality, openness and impartiality in international relations, consisting mostly of countries established in the period of postcolonial emancipation of peoples of Africa, Asia and South America. The emission of commemorative postal stamps highlights and emphasizes the importance of Belgrade and former Yugoslavia in the process of founding and functioning of the Non-Aligned Movement, especially in the context of the great anniversary, the inauguration of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade in 1961. 

The First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement was held in Belgrade, the capital of then Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, from 1 to 6 September 1961. The aim of the Conference was ”the exchange of views on international issues in order to more effectively contribute to world peace and security and peaceful cooperation among nations”. Twenty-five countries represented by their heads of state, government or ministers of foreign affairs took part in the Conference and three countries participated as observers. The important role of the Non-Aligned Movement today is confirmed by the significant number of member and observer states taking part in its activities. By issuing the emission of commemorative postal stamps” The 60^th anniversary of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement – Belgrade 1961” the Republic of Serbia emphasizes the importance of preservation of memories of important diplomatic events and contributes to the promotion of the principles and ideals of the Non-Aligned Movement in today’s world. 

Expert collaboration: Museum of Yugoslavia.

Graphic realization of the issue: Nadežda Skočajić, MA graphic artist.

This issue has been expanded with digitalized material that can be read via QR code.Sheetlet of the "60 years since the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement – Belgrade, 1961" issue has two QR codes.The QR code in the upper right corner of the sheetlet, visible on the digital display of the issue, leads to the page: https://efilatelija.posta.rs/, while the QR code in the lower left corner leads to the page where the digitalized artefacts from the time of the First Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Belgrade in 1961 are displayed, and it can only be read from the printed sheetlet of the issue, which is why it was replaced by letters on the display.

Diplomatic relations between Serbia and USA were established on October 14, 1881. This extremely important diplomatic jubilee is being marked with the issue of the commemorative postage stamps ”140^th Anniversary of the Serbian–American Diplomatic Relations”, that shows a rich diplomatic heritage that connects the two countries. In historical terms, these relations are characterized by an alliance in the two world wars and cultural, scientific and economic collaboration was marked by great persons such as Mihajlo Pupin and Nikola Tesla. After the period of descends and ascends at the end of the twentieth century, diplomatic relations between Serbia and USA are on the continuous rise.

Today bilateral relations between two countries are improved and significantly better than in previous years, and with the issue of the commemorative postage stamps ”140^th Anniversary of the Serbian–American Diplomatic Relations”, we are contributing not only to preserving the memory of the rich history of these relations, but also to their further improvement. Serbia and USA share numerous common values, ideals, opportunities for cooperation, as well as established cooperation in many areas, the most important ones being science, culture, economy and education.

The issue of the commemorative postage stamps ”140^th Anniversary of the Serbian–American Diplomatic Relations” symbolically points to some of the visual associations that represent the ideals and values that USA and Serbia share, which further strengthens awareness and reminds that the two countries, not only have a rich diplomatic history, but that it is based on solid foundations of common starting points that allow long-term duration, development and rise, despite all the challenges.

Expert collaboration: University Library “Svetozar Marković“

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

The Serbian Boxing Federation is the organizer of the World Boxing Championship under the jurisdiction of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), from October 24 to November 6, 2021. The venue of the tournament is the Stark Arena in Belgrade, and more than 500 best competitors from over a hundred countries in a total of 13 categories have registered for this championship. For the first time in the 75-year-long history of AIBA, in addition to medals, high cash prizes are also planned for the best boxers at the tournament.

By organizing such an important international sports event, in which a large number of athletes from almost all countries of the world will participate, Belgrade and Serbia have confirmed their reputation as good hosts and excellent organizers. The promotion of organizational capacities and tourist potentials of Belgrade and Serbia also contributes to the international affirmation of the city of Belgrade and the Republic of Serbia.

Expert collaboration: Serbian Boxing Federation

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

Aeronautical Union of Serbia celebrates this year its 100^th anniversary since the foundation of the Serbian Aeroclub. The Club was officially formed by the pilots of the World War I on October 22, 1921 in Belgrade. The founders were: Matija Hođera, Orestije Krstić, Dragoljub Ristić, Sava Mikić, Dragiša Vujić, Rodolphe Archibald Reiss PhD, Dragoljub Mitrović–Janković, Dragoš Adamović, Jovan Šrepalović, Atilije Raspor, Dragomir Nikolić, Sava Simić, Mihajlo Bošković, Petar Đurković, Đorđe Mirković i Bogdan Bogdanović. Matija Hođera was elected president, Dragomir Nikolić the Secretary-General, while the function of honorary president was assigned to Archibald Reiss PhD.

As soon as May 14, 1922 the club changed its name to “Aeroclub of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes”, and Tadija Sondermajer was elected president. At that time, the Aeroclub, whose patron and lifelong honorary president was Prince Pavle Karađorđević, became a member of the International Aviation Federation (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale – FAI).

During the century of existence, the Union changed its name several times and as the Aeronautical Union of Serbia, it continues the tradition and is a legal successor of the Serbian Aeroclub.

Today the Aeronautical Union of Serbia is a national branch sports union consisting of aviation sports organizations, established for the purpose of covering air sports and aviation. It is an active member of the International Aviation Federation (FAI), and it has 60 organizations with about 2,500 members. Aeronautical Union of Serbia covers the following air sports: parachuting, aeronautical gliding, ballooning, paragliding and kite flying, ultralight flying, general aviation and aeromodelling (aeronautical and rocket modelling). The Union annually organizes more than 50 domestic competitions in sports aviation, and seven aviation national teams represent Serbia at world and European championships. Sportsmen of the Aeronautical Union of Serbia are winners of numerous world and European medals, team and individual, and are national, European and world record holders.

Expert collaboration: Aeronautical Union of Serbia

Artistic realization: Miroslav Nikolić

Gamzigrad ‒ Felix Romuliana

Felix Romuliana is the imperial palace of the Emperor Gay Galerius Valerian Maximilian (293 ‒ 311), built in late third and early fourth century A.D. near the today’s village of Gamzigrad and 11.5 kilometres from Zaječar. Galerius built the palace for himself and his mother Romula, after whom he named it. The archeological site Gamzigrad-Romuliana is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments and one of the clearest examples of the conception and symbolics of architecture of the late antiquity. The entire ornament of the Galerius’s palace is a visual expression of the conception tetrarchy, where power is divided among four emperors, designed by Diocletian whose stepson, son-in-law and co-ruler in the East at the same time was Galerius. 

Felix Romuliana је 2007. године уписана на листу светске културне баштине Унеска и једино је археолошко налазиште у Србији на Унесковој листи. Главни критеријуми за упис на листу били су јединствени архитектонски склоп – којим је остварена веза између световног (комплекс палате) и сакралног (меморијални комплекс на брду Магура, местa последње апотеозе у римском свету, где су цар и његова мајка и званично, након смрти, уврштени међу богове) – и уметничка дела која представљају врхунски домет касноантичке уметности (мозаици, скулптура и архитектонска пластика).

Стручна сарадња: др археологије Маја Живић, директор Народног музеја „Зајечар”.

Artistic realization of the issue: Nadežda Skočajić, academic graphic artist.

Saint George’s Day (Djurdjevdan)

Patron saint’s day (slava, baptismal name) is a holiday dedicated to a Christian saint when the family takes him/her as their patron and protector. The veneration of the holy protector among Serbs dates back to the time of Saint Sava. Today, the majority of the Orthodox in the territory of Serbia celebrate slava as an important holiday in which individual families and their guests – members of the extended family, spiritual relatives, neighbours and friends participate. As bearers of a unique Orthodox tradition, Serbs perceive slava as a way of expressing Christian and national identity. 

It is customary for the family to go to church on the day of the slava, where the bearer of the slava – the feaster, usually the head of the household or the heir, lights the slava candle in the presence of the priest, who says prayers for health and blessing at home. The Lord’s prayer is read, the troparion to the saint is sung and the slava cake is cut, which must have the symbol ИС ХС НИ KA imprinted on it (“Jesus Christ wins”). The priest raises the cake, saying the words: “To the glory and honour of the Saint ...”, cuts the cake crosswise and pours wine on the place of the cutting. Then the cake is turned and broken into four parts while the priest congratulates the feaster with the words: “Christ amongst us”, and the feaster answers: “He is and He will be!”. The cutting of the cake can also be done in the family home, when there is a possibility for the priest to come to the house to cut the slava cake. An important part of the celebration of the patron saint is the slava feast – a festive lunch where the whole family, its spiritual and blood relatives and friends gather.

Slava is a vital element of the intangible cultural heritage of the Serbian people, and in 2014 it was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Djurdjevdan i.e. The Holy Great Martyr George is celebrated on 6 May. George was born in Asia Minor, in Cappadocia. He lived in the 3^rd century and was a soldier of the Roman army in the guard of Emperor Diocletian. At the time of the persecution of Christians, he declared before the emperor that he was a Christian himself, which is why he was sentenced to severe torture and death by beheading. Until the 7^th century, he was depicted exclusively as a soldier, standing or sitting, while later St. George was depicted on a horse, killing a dragon which symbolizes evil, with a spear. It is celebrated by Christians (Orthodox and Catholics), but also by Muslims, on the territory of the whole of Serbia, which is why in 2015 it was included in the National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia.

Motif: on the stamp – Saint George killing the dragon; on the envelope – Saint George.

Expert assistance: Serbian Orthodox Church Museum, Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade.

Artistic realisation of the issue: MA Marija Vlahović, academic graphic artist.

Živojin Mišić (Struganik near Mionica, 19 July, 1855 – Belgrade, 20 January, 1921), was born as the thirteenth child in the family of Radovan and Andjelija Mišić. He began his education in Ribnica, continued it in Kragujevac, and then in Belgrade, where, in 1874, he was admitted to the 11th class of the Artillery School (Military Academy). After two years of schooling, he gained his first war experiences as a cadet sergeant, later a lieutenant, in the Serbian-Turkish wars.

In addition to the Artillery School, he also graduated from the Austro-Hungarian School of Shooting in Bruck on Leitha and completed two years of preparation for the General Staff profession, and he also taught strategy at the Military Academy. He published the book “Strategy”. He retired for the first time after the May coup, but was reactivated in 1909, during the annexation crisis, at the personal request of the Chief of the Supreme Command, General Radomir Putnik, who appointed him assistant. In the Balkan wars, Mišić was the assistant chief of staff of the Supreme Command of General Putnik, and after the Battle of Kumanovo, he was promoted to the rank of general. After the end of the Second Balkan War, Mišić retired for the second time.

He was reactivated on the eve of the very beginning of the First World War and was appointed assistant chief of staff of the Supreme Command. During the Battle of Kolubara, General Mišić took command of the First Army and, thanks to his brilliant strategy, won the decisive battle. On 4 December, 1914, General Mišić was promoted to the rank of duke.

After retreating through Albania, Duke Mišić was removed from the position of army commander and sent to France for treatment. However, in the middle of 1916, he again took command of the First Army, and in June 1918 he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Supreme Command. He commanded the Serbian army during the breakthrough of the Thessaloniki front. During his forty-year military career, he was awarded 39 times, including the French Legion of Honour the First and Second Order for services in the liberation of Bitola, and King George V of England awarded him the Order of St. Michael and George, one of the highest British decorations. Živojin Mišić was one of the most important military strategists of the 20th century, the most famous military leader of the First World War and Serbian war history and a legend of the Serbian people.

Artistic realization: Boban Savić, MA, academic painter

This issue of commemorative postage stamps points to the deep connection between Serbia and Germany, specially through the field of art, celebrating the lives and works of two great artists and pioneers of art of the second half of the 20^th century – Joseph Beuys and Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos. Marking a great jubilees, hundred years since the birth of both artist, is an opportunity to underline and compare the experiment, social engagement and topicality that adorns the works of both authors through the joint issue of postage stamps that gives contribution to continuous building of overall ties between Serbia and Germany.

Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos (1921 – 1987) is the originator of conceptual art in our region. He left a deep artistic mark in the region, as well as globally, proven by his numerous works in the collections of the world’s most important museums. His art considers universal rather than micro-themes of the local environment, forming a link to Joseph Beuys’ artistic poetics. The gap between society and art is, as for Beuys, one of the central themes of Mangelos’ artistic expression. In his originality, he approaches it by striving for a changed nature of art, unlike Beuys, who wants to change all men and awaken their creativity. Redefining the role of art in society, Mangelos leaves a deep artistic mark, but with compatibility and same timing of themes, ideas and interests with Beuys, he builds another important bridge between Germany and Serbia.

Motive on the stamp: Portrait of Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos, drawing by Selman Trtovac, graphite on paper. Motive on the vignette: ”Hegel kritik der logik” and motive on the envelope: ”Glagolitic letter c”, works of Dimitrije Bašičević Mangelos.

Joseph Beuys (1921 – 1986) one of the most important artists of the 20^th century globally, and certainly the most important artist of Germany and Europe in the post-war period, in addition to his artistic work, is also known as an important theorist and pedagogue in the field of art. As a kind of recognition of the art that was created in this region at that time, Beuys visited Belgrade in 1974, where he presented his artistic views and tendencies as the only place in the region that can boast of such an important cooperation. If every man is an artist, as Beuys boldly proclaimed, then we can consider that Beuys is certainly one of the people who managed to express his artistic essence in a way that perhaps most strongly influenced a large number of other artists and people globally.

Motive on the stamp: portrait of Joseph Beuys; motive on the vignette: reflection on the performance ”How to explain a painting to a dead rabbit” by Joseph Beuys; motive on the envelope: reflection on the work ”La rivoluzione siamo Noi” by Joseph Beuys.drawings on stamp, vignette and envelope by Selman Trtovac, graphite on paper.

Expert collaboration: Ivana Bašičević Antić, PhD, Art Historian

Graphic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

125^th Anniversary of the Belgrade Museum of Pedagogy

Museum of Pedagogy is the unique institution in Serbia. It was founded on November 24, 1896 as the School Museum, at the suggestion of teacher Dimitrije Putniković, president of the Teachers’ Association, who was also its first director. During its history, the Museum has changed its location several times (elementary school near the Cathedral, Savska Elementary School, elementary school in the Danube region, Teachers’ Home), and in both World Wars it suffered great demolition and almost complete destruction of museum collection. Since the 1960s, it has been housed in the building of the former Belgrade Real High School (Realka), which the Museum received for permanent use from the city of Belgrade. The building was built in 1840 in the classicist style, as the family house of then mayor of Belgrade, Cvetko Rajović. Over time, it also housed the British Consulate, the Russian School, the Real High School and the Đorđe Jovanovic Elementary School, and now it is the Museum of Pedagogy. The whole Museum complex (three buildings from the middle and end of the 19th century and a courtyard) was declared a cultural monument of importance for the Republic of Serbia.

Today, the Museum of Pedagogy is a modern institution that preserves about 50,000 exhibits of the history of Serbian schooling and education, from Cyril and Methodius to modern age (books, textbooks, school supplies and teaching aids, archival documentation, photographs, media library, etc.). The Museum of Pedagogy offers professional guidance to the visitor of all ages through a permanent exhibition, gallery and treasury, organizing educational and entertainment workshops, birthday celebrations with “Escape Room” for the youngest, a library with a reading room for all who want to get acquainted with the past of Serbian schools, and a lot more. In this way the Museum of Pedagogy remains a lighthouse in the field of care for the tradition and past of Serbian education and culture as a whole.

Expert collaboration: Filip Trajković, Museum of Pedagogy in Belgrade

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Anamari Banjac, academic painter

125^th Anniversary of the National Museum of Požarevac

The founding of the Museum at Požarevac High School began in 1893 with the commitment of the professor Luka Jevremović, who initiated, with the help of students, their parents and citizens, the gathering of items for the museum collection.

The Museum started working legally after the adoption and implementation of the Regulations on Museums from 1896. The then Minister of Education and Church Affairs, Ljubomir Kovačević, approved the establishment of the Museum by certifying the Regulations on Museums, on February 3, 1896.

In 1896 Museum had in its collection around 350 items, primarily numismatics, but also other items. Immediately after the founding of the Museum, Luka Jevremović was appointed guardian (curator), who performed this duty for more than ten years. The main reason why the Museum was founded began to materialize: preservation and research of antiquities, mostly from Požarevac district.

In April 1907 the Museum opened its permanent museum exhibition in the special room of the High School.

In the First World War, the largest number of museum items perished, although an evacuation was carried out, and what was left was stolen by the Bulgarian occupiers. During the Second World War (1941-1945), the Museum existed throughout the war and worked under the name Braničevo Museum.

After the liberation, in September 1947, the Museum was solemnly and officially opened to the public on the occasion of Vuk’s jubilee. Nikola Bošković, a retired professor was appointed warden.

The journey of 125 years, from High School Museum, through Braničevo Museum, District and City Museum to the National Museum today, was extremely dynamic (research and collection of items, exhibition and documentation, as well as successive conservation of Museum items), testifies to the rich cultural heritage of this area, Braničevo district.

Today, National Museum in Požarevac is the Regional Museum, with 20,000 items in eight collections and seven facilities at five locations.

Expert collaboration: National Museum of Požarevac

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Anamari Banjac, academic painter

Christmas is one of the most important and one of the most joyous Christian holidays, that is celebrated both by the Orthodox and Catholic believers. The difference is only in the date of the celebration; the Orthodox celebrate it on January 7^th, and the Catholic on December 25^th, but its message remains the same – the message of peace and love.

We celebrate Christmas for three days. It is primarily family holiday, and there are numerous traditions and customs regarding Christmas. On the day before Christmas and Christmas Eve, the yule log is being brought into house, cresset lit and hay with hidden candies, prunes, walnuts, sugar and coins, spread all over the house. The hay is a symbol of the manger in which Christ was born. The yule log represents longevity and substance of Christianity, as well as of the warmth of the love Christ brought to us when he was born and arrived to the Earth. On the very day of the Christmas, early in the morning the church bells of all Orthodox temples are ringing, announcing the nativity of Christ. People go to church to attend Christmas liturgy and they all greet each other by “Christ has been born” and “Indeed he has”.

Expert collaboration: The Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade. Artistic realisation of the issue: MA Marija Vlahović, academic graphic artist.

The issue of the commemorative stamps “100 years of the Communist Party of China (CPC)” marks the centenary of the founding of the CPC, emphasizing CPC’s important role in China’s development and building excellent relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia. The long-standing friendly relationships between the two countries have been largely built through cooperation initiatives launched, accepted and encouraged by the Communist Party of China.

The Communist Party of China was founded in July 1921, and on October 1, 1949, its leader Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China, which best illustrates the key role of CPC in China’s development. From then to 2021, under the leadership of the CPC, China has constantly made positive achievements on the path of development. Modern China is a leader in global development and the most trusted friend of Serbia and the Serbian people.

The release of the commemorative stamps “100 years of the Communist Party of China” primarily underlines and celebrates the merits of the CPC for the improvement of the relations between China and Serbia, and will make further contribution to the friendship between the two countries.

Expert collaboration: Svetozar Markovic Library, University of Belgrade. Artistic realization: Nadežda Skočajić, academician and illustrator

Postal Savings Bank in its 100 years of uninterrupted operation has grown into a strong, secure and stable bank with a clearly articulated state interest and accurate and restrictive results; significantly contributes to the development of the economy while taking into account the clients who trust it. A century of responsibility for a safe future.

The Postal Savings Bank of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was established on November 30, 1921 by the Law on Postal Savings, Checks and Bank Transfers. It soon became the largest savings institution, which on July 1, 1926, introduced the first savings book whose investor was Crown Prince Petar II Karađorđević, and opened its first counter in the Moscow Palace on Terazije Square on October 1, 1923. 

Today, the Bank provides its knowledge, work and financial resources to clients at 206 locations in the Republic of Serbia, and thanks to its professional staff, efficient and correct relationship with partners and clients, it expanded its business abroad.

It was the first bank to issue a domestic payment card – POST card on October 1, 1990, the first to introduce the system of internet banking – Homeb@nking on October 31, 1998, the first in Serbia to accept China UnionPay payment cards of the largest card brand in the world on June 12, 2018, the first in Serbia to introduce mobile branch office on March 21, 2020, TIZI – first domestic platform for money transfer from abroad to Serbia on July 14, 2021...

The Bank proves its social responsibility by supporting numerous cultural, educational, scientific and sports projects (on January 23, 2018 it became a general sponsor of the Volleyball Federation of Serbia), as well as institutions (SANU and others).

Postal Savings Bank exists, grows and works for you. This is only the first hundred years.

Стручна сарадња: Банка Поштанска штедионица а.д., Београд

Artistic realization of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić

Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867)

Charles Baudelaire (Paris, April 9, 1821 – Paris, August 31, 1867) was the founder of modernism and one of the greatest poets in the world. He wrote extensively on current topics in French culture, and published critiques and essays. Direct and honest with friends as well as enemies, known as a dandy and a spendthrift, he spent practically his entire life fighting against financial scarcity. Although his family planned a career in law or diplomacy for him, Baudelaire decided to dedicate himself exclusively to literature.

The first work of art he published was a review – a critique, “The Salon of 1845”, and the passion with which he wrote about art attracted the attention of the art community in France. He published his most famous work, a collection of poems “Flowers of Evil”, in 1857. The poems from this collection gained a small audience at that time, but the subject of the poems attracted a lot of attention. Some of the main themes of this collection, sex and death, lesbian love, sorrow, corruption, lost innocence, the difficulty of living, were scandalous at the time. A masterpiece of passion, art and poetry, the collection “Flowers of Evil”, as well as other Baudelaire’s artistic opus, still has an exceptional influence on generations of artists, primarily in France and Great Britain, but also around the world. Millions of readers perceive his poetry as one of the peaks of human creativity. Charles Baudelaire’s literary heritage is part of the cultural treasury of humanity, hence we celebrate 200 years since his birth with a commemorative postage stamp.

Artistic realization: MA Boban Savić, academic painter.

Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821 - 1881)

Fyodor Mikhaylovich Dostoevsky (Moscow, 11 November 1821 – Saint Petersburg, 9 February 1881) is a Russian writer and one of the greatest writers in the world. The influence he achieved with his works can be measured with rare giants of world literature, such as Shakespeare or Cervantes. He is the initiator of a new genre, the psychological novel, and his works have inspired the creation of many new movements and directions in art and literature. Some of the greatest authors of the late nineteenth and twentieth century, in literature, philosophy and psychology, rely on the inspiration derived from his works and contribute to humanity thanks to the works of this exceptional writer, among which the most famous are “Gambler”, “Idiot”, “Crime and Punishment” and “The Karamazov Brothers”. Dostoevsky’s work became synonymous with deep psychological analysis, and many theorists of psychology, even Sigmund Freud himself, considered Dostoevsky the founder of psychological theory and analysis.

Generations of readers around the world have reached life maturity by reading Dostoevsky’s works, so the great jubilee, marking the 200^th anniversary of his birth, is an extraordinary opportunity to additionally emphasise the significance and influence of this leading figure of the Russian and world literature and culture in general.

Artistic realization: MA Boban Savić, academic painter.

Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941)

Rabindranath Tagore (Kolkata, 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was an Indian writer, playwright and philosopher. He wrote more than 1,000 poems, 24 plays, eight novels, more than 2,000 songs, a large number of essays and other prose. Tagore’s poetry is characterized by simplicity of emotions, essays by the power of thought, and novels by social consciousness. His main goal was to connect east and west, and he himself translated his lyrical prose into English. He wrote his first poems at the age of eight. During his law studies in London, he published his first two poetry books, “Evening Songs” and “Morning Songs”. He did not finish his studies, but returned to India and devoted himself to literary work. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, for his “Gitanjali” book of poems, and in 1915 he was also knighted. He renounced his Knighthood after the Amritsar Massacre in 1919. He was a founder of an experimental school in Santiniketan, which was based on the Upanishadic ideals of education. His most significant works are the poetry books “Gardener” and “Gitanjali”, and the novel “The Wreck”. In addition to writing, Rabindranath Tagore also painted and composed. He is the author of the music and lyrics of the Indian national anthem.

Artistic realization: MA Boban Savić, academic painter.

Stanislaw Lem (1921-2006)

Stanislaw Lem (Lviv, Ukraine, September 12, 1921 - Krakow, Poland, March 27, 2006) was a Polish writer and one of the world’s most famous science fiction writers. He graduated from the grammar school in Lviv in 1939, and in 1941 he began to study medicine, which he had to stop due to the war and continue the studies after the war has been finished, in 1944. Stanislaw Lem’s family moved to Krakow in 1946, where Lem, in the same year, published his first short story “The Man from Mars”, which was later published in the magazine “New Adventure World”.

Stanislaw Lem gained world fame as a science fiction writer with the novel “Solaris”, based on which two films were made, and his other famous works include: “Hospital of Transfiguration”, “The Astronauts”, “Time not Lost”, “The Investigation”, “The Cyberiad”, “Dialogues”, “His Master’s Voice”, “Tales of Pirx the Pilot”, “Imaginary Magnitude”, “The Invincible”, “Peace on Earth” and others.

He received an award from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland in 1970 for the popularization of Polish culture in the world, and two years later he became a member of the committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences “Poland 2000”. He was admitted to the American Science Fiction Writers Association in 1973. In the same year, he received an award from the Ministry of Culture and Arts for literature. He received an honorary doctorate from the Wroclaw Polytechnic in 1981, and in 1991 the Austrian “Franz Kafka” award.

He became a member of the Polish Academy of Arts in 1993, and in 1996 he was awarded the Order of the White Eagle and the title of honorary citizen of Krakow. He received an honorary doctorate from the University of Opole as well, along with the doctorates from the Lviv State Medical University and the Jagiellonian University in Krakow.

Artistic realization: MA Boban Savić, academic painter.

Republic of Serbia and United Arab Emirates are celebrating 50 years of intensive and friendly relations. Half a century of uninterrupted relations testify to the constant progress, which was especially intensified in 2012, when visits were exchanged at the highest state level. Since then, relations between the two countries have begun to develop rapidly in all segments, especially in the field of economy and culture, and numerous bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding and cooperation in areas of common interest have been signed.

Given the still current pandemic of the Covid-19 virus, it is necessary to point out the very intensive cooperation between the two countries in the fight against this globally present virus. The selfless people and the leadership of the United Arab Emirates have on several occasions sent aid to the Republic of Serbia in the form of donations of medical devices, protective equipment, as well as the recently established cooperation on the production of vaccines in the Republic of Serbia.

In line with these exceptional ties between the two countries, the Post of the Republic of Serbia decided to mark this golden jubilee by issuing the commemorative postage stamps titled ”Serbia – United Arab Emirates: 50 Years of Friendship”, which will symbolically and graphically present this cooperation and friendly bonds between the two nations.

Expert collaboration: University Library “Svetozar Marković”

Artistic realization of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić

Monuments are monumental buildings created to preserve the memory of an event or person who became part of the collective memory of society with their life and work. Monuments are erected in memory of historical times and personalities and due to their artistic, historical or architectural significance, they represent the cultural heritage of the society.

The Greek word mnemosinon, or Latin moneo, monere, which means monument, also means ”remind”, ”advise” or ”warn”, which indicates that the monuments allow us to ”peek” into the past but also help us imagine what the future may be like.

The monument to Stefan Nemanja is located on Sava Square in Belgrade, in front of the former building of the Main Railway Station. It is dedicated to the great prefect Stefan Nemanja, the ancestor of the Serbian medieval Nemanjić dynasty, and represents the ruling figure of Stefan Nemanja in a noble uniform, with a sword in his right hand and the Hilandar Charter in his left. It is located on a pedestal that is made up of several elements. Basically, it is a cracked Byzantine helmet, as a symbol of Nemanja’s struggle for independence from the Roman Empire, from where the ruler’s scepter emerges, a symbol of the ruler’s power. On the pedestal there are reliefs from Nemanja’s life and Serbian history during his reign. The monument, together with the pedestal, weighs 80 tons and is 23.5 meters high and is the tallest monument in Serbia. It was unveiled on Saint Sava Day, 27 January 2021.

The monument is the work of Russian sculptor Alexander Iulianovich Rukavishnikov, a member of the Russian Academy of Arts, professor, master of monumental compositions and sculptural portraits. Rukavishnikov was born on 2 October 1950 in Moscow, in a family of sculptors. At the Moscow Art Institute V. I. Surikov, he graduated in 1974 in class of L. E. Kerbel with an excellent grade. He acquired the title of ”Honoured Artist of the Russian Soviet Federative Republic” in 1984, and since 1993 he has been the director of the sculpture department at the Moscow Art Institute V. I. Surikov.

Artistic realisation: Miroslav Nikolić

The Journalists’ Association of Serbia was founded on December 21, 1881 in Belgrade, under the name of the Serbian Journalists’ Society. It is one of the oldest professional journalist associations in the world. The first president was Laza Kostić, famous journalist and poet.

The first newspaper in Serbia, “Novine serbske” (Serbian newspapers), was published in 1834 in Kragujevac. The adoption of the first Law on the Press in 1870 was of great importance for the development of journalism in Serbia. Then the newspapers were launched in Svilajnac, Požarevac, Smederevo. The appearance of new newspapers and magazines in Serbia was especially influenced by the liberal Law on the Press from 1881.

At the end of 1881, 22 newspapers and magazines were published in Belgrade, but journalism was not yet a recognized profession. This led several Belgrade journalists and editors to establish a journalistic society that will work to protect journalistic interests and raise the reputation of journalism.

The creator of the idea was Milan St. Marković, editor of the “Porota“ (Jury) magazine. He drafted the rules – the “Statute” – of the society, which was adopted at a meeting of journalists on December 21, 1881. It defines three basic goals of the association of journalists: to work on the improvement of Serbian journalism; to support each other in case of need; to protect the reputation and interests of journalism.

Serbian Journalists’ Society later operated under the names Serbian Journalists’ Association (1891), Yugoslav Journalists’ Association – Belgrade section (1921), Belgrade Journalists’ Society (1929), Journalists’ Association in Belgrade (1941), and since 1945 it is called The Journalists’ Association of Serbia and this year it marks 140 years of existence.

Expert collaboration: The Journalists’ Association of Serbia

Artistic realisation of the issue: MA Marija Vlahovic, academic graphic artist

The Red Star football club was founded on March 4, 1945, and to this day it has stood out as the most trophy-winning club in the country, with the largest fan base. The first goal in the history of the Red Star was scored by Kosta Tomašević on the day of its founding, and a year later the Red Star won the trophy of the then state championship. It was only the first in a series of numerous trophies, considering that the Red Star won 32 state titles in its rich history, as well as 25 cup competitions, with the title of European and world champion from 1991, which confirmed that it has no equals in this region. In the final of the European Champions Cup in Bari, Olympique de Marseille was defeated after 0:0 and a better penalty shootout, and then Kolo Kolo in Tokyo within the Intercontinental Cup with 3:0. In addition, the Red Star has won numerous international tournaments.

Since September 1, 1963 stadium “Marakana” is a home to the Red Star, and since December 2014 stadium bears the name of Rajko Mitić, the first “Star of the Red Star”. This extraordinary honour – to be called “Star of the Red Star”, is given to football players who contributed greatly to Red Star’s historical successes and there are six of them. The first “Star of the Red Star” is already mentioned Rajko Mitić, the second one is Dragoslav Šekularac, the third one is Dragan Džajić, the fourth one is Vladimir Petrović, the fifth one is Dragan Stojković, while a flattering honour of the sixth “Star of the Red Star” is given to the whole generation of 1991.

The Red Star nurtures true values since its founding. Love, loyalty, security, emotions, all that makes our army of fans a family. Love for the Red Star knows no boundaries, it is passed from generation to generation and that is why we are a big and happy family!

Expert collaboration: The Red Star football club

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Jakša Vlahović, academic graphic artist

Technical details
8. децембар 2021.

Jovan Dučić (Trebinje, 15 February 1874 – Gary, Indiana, USA, 7 April 1943), was a Serbian and Yugoslav writer, poet and diplomat. He finished elementary school in Trebinje, Teacher’s school in Sarajevo, and law school at the Faculty of Philosophy and Sociology in Geneva. He was one of the founders of the National Defence, a nationalist non-governmental organization in the Kingdom of Serbia. He is one of the most important Serbian modernist poets.

He published his first collection of poetry in Mostar in 1901 in a literary magazine Zora and his second in Belgrade in 1908. He also often wrote prose, literary essays, travelogues and literary criticism. He was a corresponding member of the Serbian Royal Academy, and since 1931 a regular member. He started working in diplomacy in 1907, and in 1910 he was appointed attaché in the embassy in Constantinople, and then he moved to the same position in Sofia. He was an ambassador to Budapest, then in Bucharest, in 1939, he was appointed the first Yugoslav diplomat in the rank of ambassador. During the occupation of Yugoslavia, in 1941, he was a plenipotentiary ambassador to Madrid. His remains were transferred from the United States and buried in Trebinje on October 22, 2000. Dučić’s most famous works are: King Radovan’s treasure, Leutar Mornings, Path by the Road, I Believe in God and Serbianness, Poems.

Motif on the stamp: a portrait of Jovan Dučić, with the original signature and dedication of the writer to Queen Marija in the background. From the collection of autographs of writers and artists, owned by the Museum of Serbian Literature of the Adligat Association.

Expert collaboration: Association for Culture, Arts and International Cooperation Adligat, Belgrade.

Artistic realization: Boban Savić, MA, academic painter

Stanislav Vinaver (Šabac, March 1, 1891 – Niška Banja, August 1, 1955), erudite, writer and translator, received his high school education in Belgrade, studied mathematics and physics at the Sorbonne, and graduated from the University of Belgrade in 1930. He took part in the Balkan Wars and the First World War as one of the 1300 Corporals. He was a lieutenant in the famous School Battalion, crossed Albania, was engaged in Corfu as the editor of Srpske novine (Serbian Newspaper) and worked as a clerk of the State Press Bureau. After the war, he dedicated himself to journalism and literature as a member of a diverse group of young and new modernist Serbian writers (Miloš Crnjanski, Dragiša Vasić, Rastko Petrović, Rade Drainac). He became a member of the Journalists’ Association of Yugoslavia on November 20, 1920. He was also oneof the founders of the Ošišani jež (Shaved Hedgehog) satirical magazine, and between the two wars he worked as a special correspondent for the Vreme (Time) magazine in Bulgaria, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Soviet Union, after which he was employed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Geneva and Berlin. He spent the Second World War in captivity, in the German concentration camp Osnabrück. After the war, he lived in Belgrade and was engaged in literature, satire and translation from French, English, Russian, Czech, Polish and German.

The poet and essayist Vinaver, the founder of the expressionist movement, wrote the Manifesto of the Expressionist School. He strongly advocated a break with traditional artistic expression. He was the first to translate The Good Soldier Schweik, Gargantua and Pantagruel, Alice in Wonderland, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer into Serbian.

Among Vinaver’s numerous works, the most famous are: Mjeća, Stories That Lost Their Balance, Evil Wizards’ Small Town, Lightning Rod of the Universe, Icarus’Flight, European Night, Our Needed Language and, as the crown of his contemplations about the Serbian language, Laza Kostić’s Enchantments and Spites.

Motif on the stamp: a portrait of Stanislav Vinaver, with the original signature of the writer in the background. From the collection of autographs of writers and artists, owned by the Museum of Serbian Literature of the Adligat Association.

Expert collaboration: Association for Culture, Arts and International Cooperation Adligat, Belgrade.

Artistic realization: Boban Savić, MA, academic painter

Branko Pešić (Zemun, 1 September 1921 – Lignano, Italy 4 October 2006) was one of the most prominent Serbian architects, who left behind an extensive and complex work in various fields of architectural achievements, the most striking of which today are the landmarks of Belgrade.

He enrolled at the Technical Faculty in Belgrade – Department of Architecture, in 1939, and graduated after the war, in 1947. He worked as a designer, head of construction sites and bureaus in the Directorate for Construction of New Belgrade from 1947 to 1951. At the Faculty of Civil Engineering, he was elected an assistant in 1951, then a lecturer and professor in the subject of Civil Engineering, where he worked until his retirement in 1986. He is the author of textbooks for the subject of Civil Engineering, as well as a number of professional publications and papers. Among his most significant projects are: Yugoslav pavilions at numerous international fairs, projects of several buildings in Belgrade, the most important of which is the Belgrade palace (Beograđanka). He designed 27 church buildings, among which the church in Priboj on the Lim stands out, the endowment of the family of Nikolaj Velimirović in Lelić, the Church of St. Petka on the Čukarica slope.

He is the author of the project for the continuation of the construction of the Temple of Saint Sava in Belgrade. He was the main organiser and supervising engineer on the construction of the Temple from 1984 to 1996. Pešić did not receive any kind of compensation for his work on the Temple, and apart from professional work, Pešić actively raised funds for the Temple, for which he held lectures and exhibitions, from Australia to the United Kingdom. He was a long-term president of the architecture section of the Association of Applied Artists and Designers of Serbia (ULUPUDS), the president of ULUPUDS (1976–80) and then the president of Alliance of Applied Artists and Designers of Yugoslavia – SPIDJU (1981–82). He received several medals and diplomas for his work and engagement in the cultural and professional field. He was awarded two Medals of Labour, the Order of Labour of the First Grade, the Order of Merit for the People, the Order of St. Sava of the First Grade and posthumously, in 2006 with the Order of the White Eagle of the First Grade.

Motif on the stamp: Portrait of Branko Pešić, with a sketch of the Temple of Saint Sava and the signature of the architect in the background. From the Legacy of the architect Branko Pešić, owned by the Legacy House of the Adligat Association.

Expert collaboration: Association for Culture, Arts and International Cooperation Adligat, Belgrade.

Београд. Уметничка реализација: мр Бобан Савић, академски сликар

Dobrica Ćosić (Velika Drenova, 29 December 1921 – Belgrade, 18 May 2014), was a Serbian writer, journalist, essayist and politician. As a 20-year-old, he joined the partisan anti-fascist movement and in 1951 he published The Sun is Far Away, the first modern novel on Serbian revolution. After that he published the novels: The Roots, The Divisions (trilogy), The Fairy tale, A Time of Death (tetralogy), A Time of Evil – trilogy: The Sinner, The Renegade, The Believer, and A Time of Power I and A Time of Power II.

He wrote political essays, journalistic texts, portraits of contemporaries and diary notes collected in the books: Action, Responsibilities, Power and Anxiety (banned 1971) Real and Possible (banned 1982), Writers’ Notes 1–5, Time of Snakes, Writers of My Century, Serbian Question I and II, Kosovo, Friends, In Another Century, Bosnian War, Kosovo 1968 – 2013 and posthumously – In Another Century II.

He received the NIN awards for literature for the novels The Roots and The Divisions, and Njegoš award for A Time of Evil. He is a member of The Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts (SANU) since 1970. He also received the Pushkin award for exceptional contribution to Slavic literature and in 2010 he was awarded with a medal by Russian President Medvedev for the fight against fascism. He is a writer with a biography of a highly engaged intellectual. At the XIV plenary assembly of the Central Committee of Serbia in 1968, he criticized Albanian separatism for which he was accused of being a nationalist and was banned from all public activities for two decades.

He fought for the gathering of the Yugoslav critical intelligentsia with the aim of democratizing Yugoslav socialism. As a nonpartisan person, he accepted the duty of the first president of FRY 1992–1993.

In the last decade of his life, he published books of diary entries covering the time of his novels (1951–2010) – The personal history of my time.

Motif on the stamp: a portrait of Dobrica Ćosić, with the original signature of the writer in the background. From the collection of autographs of writers and artists, owned by the Museum of Serbian Literature of the Adligat Association.

Expert collaboration: Association for Culture, Arts and International Cooperation Adligat, Belgrade.

Artistic realization: Boban Savić, MA, academic painter

Ivo Andrić (10.10.1892, Travnik – 13.3.1975, Belgrade) grеw up in Višegrad, where he watched slender pillars of the bridge on the Drina, that would mark his work. He is the author of over a hundred short stories, including The Bridge On The Žepa, The Journey Of Ali Đerzelez, Ćorkan And The German Lady, Mara Milosnica, Anika’s Times, Mustafa Magyar, The Story Of The Vizier’s Elephant, Veletovci, Jelena, The Woman Of My Dream, novels The Bridge On The Drina, Bosnian Chronicle, The Woman From Sarajevo, The Damned Yard, Omer Pasha Latas, meditative prose Ex Ponto, Unrest, Signs By The Roadside, essays, diaries and travelogues. Andrić’s works have been translated into fifty languages.

Andrić received the Nobel Prize for Literature from the Swedish Academy on October 26, 1961. It was presented to him on December 10, at a ceremony in Stockholm, which was attended by Sovereign Gustav Adolf VI and his entourage, as well as the Prime Minister of Sweden and members of the government. The ceremony was also attended by academics, members of the Nobel Foundation, former winners.

The laureate stepped onto the lavish stage of the Concert Hall. Flashes flashed, and rounds of applause spread through the hall. The Secretary of the Swedish Academy, Anders Esterling, PhD, presented the winner for literature: ”Andrić carries a lot of tenderness for people, but he does not shy away from horrors or violence, which in his eyes confirms the reality of evil. He is a writer who is a master of a completely personal, original circle of motives. He opens a yet unknown page of the world chronicle and addresses us from the depths of the tormented national soul of the South Slavs”.

Andrić received a charter with the text of the decision on the award in gold print, a gold medal with the Nobel figure on the obverse, a bas-relief of a young man who writes the singing of the muses under the laurel and his name on the reverse. The laureate also received a check with the amount he donated for the development of librarianship in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ivo Andrić spent most of his life in Serbia and Belgrade, where he spent the Second World War and where he wrote his most significant works.

Expert collaboration: Belgrade City Museum, The Ivo Andrić Foundation

Artistic realization of the issue: MA Anamari Banjac, academic painter

On December 10, 2021, Serbia and Kazakhstan celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Over the past quarter of a century, Serbian-Kazakh relations have been successfully developed in the spirit of friendship, trust and mutual respect. Kazakhstan and Serbia affirm the joint willingness to intensify the political dialogue and to furnish a new encouragement to the bilateral relations. Beneficial ties in the economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres were strengthened and established through joint efforts. A solid foundation of the bilateral legal framework has been formed. 

Nur-Sultan and Belgrade cooperate constructively within the framework of international organizations, including the UN, the OSCE and others. Our joint efforts in this field are aimed at the promotion of compliance with international law and friendly cooperation among countries in the international arena, which contributes to peace, security and the protection of all human beings. The efforts of both countries are directed towards further strengthening bilateral relations and expanding friendly, mutually beneficial cooperation.

Expert collaboration: Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Belgrade

Artistic realization of the issue: Miroslav Nikolić

One and only, unique. Distinctive, the best and ours ‒ Novak Đoković! 

Born on May 22^nd 1987, he stared his professional tennis career in 2003.

At the age of 34 he holds the record of being for 350 weeks at the number one of ATP list of professional tennis players. For seven times he was the number one of ATP list at the end of the calendar year; he won 20 Grand Slam titles, 37 Masters titles and has won 86 times in the finals of ATP tournaments. He is the only one in ’’the Open Era’’ who accomplished winning at least twice every Grand Slam ‒ four most famous tennis tournaments ‒ Australian Open (9), Roland Garros (2), Wimbledon (6) and US Open (3), and he is the only tennis player in history, besides Rod Laver, to have all four Grand Slam titles in a row.

For five times he won the ATP finals, he won his first ATP tournament in 2006, and his first Grand Slam tournament title was at Australian Open 2008. Since that time he accomplished an unprecedented string of victories and records. Novak Đoković won the bronze medal at Olympic games in Beijing in 2008, he was at the forefront of the Serbian tennis team that won 2010 Davis Cup and 2020 ATP Cup and was the world best athlete four times.

The best tennis player of today and the best athlete in the history of sports in Serbia is a great humanitarian and philantropist. Personaly and through his Foundation he helped people in Serbia innumerous times, and within this 48 kindergardens in our country have been reconstructed, adapted and equipped, thus reaching 47.500 children and 7.500 parents while 2.200 teachers and pedagogues have been supported in their work. He has been awarded Oder of St. Sava and Order of Karađorđe’s Star, and numerous international honours for benefaction.

Joining Novak’s march towards new titles and records, the Post of Serbia is honoring for the first time, by this extraordinary emission of commemorative stamps, an individual athlete ‒ the one who embedded in golden letters his name and the name of Serbia in the history of sports.

Artistic realization of the issue: Boban Savić MA, academic painter