Moldova - Local Coats of Arms I, Definitive Stamps 2015

Technical Details: 

Date of Issue: 07 March 2015
Subject: Localities Armories
Width: 27.5 mm
Height: 23.0 mm
Layout/Format: Sheet of 50
Perforations: 14.5 by 14
Printer: Printing House Nova Imprim Chisinau Moldova
Stamp Designer: Nicolae Sîrbu
Stamp issuing authority: Ministére de la technologie de l’information et des communications Republique de Moldova

The first six values of a definitive series devoted to the coats of arms of country's major cities.

0.10 Moldovan Bani - Armory of Căușeni (Print Run: 1,000,000)
0.25 Moldovan Bani - Armory of Hîncești (Print Run: 500,000)
1.00 Moldovan Leu - Armory of Ungheni (Print Run: 500,000)
1.20 Moldovan Leu - Armory of Orhei (Print Run: 600,000)
3.00 Moldovan Leu - Armory of Bălți (Print Run: 300,000)
5.00 Moldovan Leu - Armory of Chișinău (Print Run: 300,000)

Moldova - Local Coats of Arms II, Definitive Stamps 2017

 

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 10 February 2017
Subject: Localities Armories
Width: 23 mm
Height: 27.5 mm
Layout/Format: Sheet of 50
Perforations: 14 by 14.5
Printer: Printing House Nova Imprim Chisinau Moldova
Stamp Designer: Maria Maximenco
Stamp issuing authority: Ministére de la technologie de l’information et des communications Republique de Moldova

The first six values of a definitive series devoted to the coats of arms of country's major cities.

0.10 Moldovan Bani - Armory of Briceni City (Print Run: 1,000,000)
0.25 Moldovan Bani - Armory of Rezina City (Print Run: 1,000,000)
1.00 Moldovan Leu - Armory of Sângerei City (Print Run: 1,000,000)
1.20 Moldovan Leu - Armory of Florești City (Print Run: 1,000,000)
1.75 Moldovan Leu - Armory of Ialoveni City (Print Run: 1,000,000)
3.00 Moldovan Leu - Armory of Leova City (Print Run: 950,000)

Romania - Traditional Costumes, Joint Issue With Thailand 2018

Technical Details:
Issue Date: 31 May 2018
Designer: Mihail Vămășescu
Process: Offset
Colours: 4 Colours
Stamp Size: 33 x 48 mm, 
Minisheet Size: 156 x 156 mm
Values:1,50 L; 1,50 L

JOINT STAMP ISSUE ROMANIA – THAILAND 45 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Continuing the series of postage stamp issues dedicated to diplomatic relations, on the anniversary of the bilateral relations between Romania and the Kingdom of Thailand, settled on the 1^st of June 1973, Romfilatelia introduces into circulation the joint stamp issue Romania-Thailand, 45 years of diplomatic relations, with the topic Traditional Folk Costumes.
The new issue will be available on Thursday, May 31^th, 2018,  in Romfilatelia’.
The Romanian stamp, with the face value of Lei 1.50, illustrates the folk costumes of Oltenia region, specific to Romanati area, from the end of the 19^thcentury. The traditional folk costume of Phutai ethnic group, from the northeast of the country, is reproduced on the stamp issued by the Thailand Postal Administration.

The traditional costume, illustrated on the stamps of the issue, represents, for each people, an integral part of the local history and civilization, a living testimony that has passed to the generations, over the centuries, the message of the authentic artistic creation.

Romanati costume falls in the typology of Oltenian traditional costume, remarked by compositions and decorative motifs that refer to the ornamental repertoire of the Neolithic ceramics of Vadastra – the spirals on the sheepskin coats – and to the pomposity of the gold thread fabrics, from the embroidery of the women’s chemise.

Women’s garment consists of a wavy at the collar chemise, with a decoration on the sleeve in tripartite system (“altita” – wide embroidery, wrinkles, rivers) on the chest, back and legs. The refinement of the chemise is given by the chromatic relationship between the cherry and the silver metallic thread. The tissue apron is associated with the folded up “valnic”. The garment also contains wool socks and bovine leather sandals.

The men’s costume consists of a summer straw hat, an embroidered shirt adorned with “coltisori”, trousers, socks and sandals. The loom woven belt and the doublet decorated with rosettes on the entire surface, in vivid colors, complete the costume.

The traditional folk costume of Phutai ethnic group, in north-eastern Thailand, Sakon Nakhon Province, is specific to the countryside. The man wears a long cloth and a cotton, long-sleeved, navy-colored shirt, edged with red embroidery and a belt, in harmony with the costume of his partner.  The woman wears a cotton, navy blue skirt, decorated with woven embroidery, and a simple, long-sleeved shirt of the same color. The costume is completed by a red embroidered scarf, worn on shoulders and silver jewellery – necklace, bracelets and earrings.

The postage stamp issue is completed by a First Day Cover, as page composition there were used a sheet of 32 stamps and a minisheet of 8 stamps with illustrated border (4 sets).

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About Joint Stamp Issue Romania - Thailand 45 Years Years of Diplomatic Relations

On the anniversary of the bilateral relations between Romania and the Kingdom of Thailand, settled on the 1stof June 1973, Romfilatelia introduces into circulation the joint stamp issue Romania-Thailand, 45 years of diplomatic relations, with the topic Traditional Folk Costumes. The Romanian stamp, with the face value of Lei 1.50, illustrates the folk costumes of Oltenia region, specific to Romanati area, from the end of the 19th century. The traditional folk costume of Phutaiethnic group, from the northeast of the country, is reproduced on the stamp issued by the Thailand Postal Administration.

The Kingdom of Thailand is known for its natural beauties, being visited annually by millions of tourists. It is also one of the oldest Asian states, where ancient civilization have developed. The first Thai Kingdom was founded in 1278, named Siam, a name that lasted until 1939, when the state was renamed Thailand. More than 67 million people live in the Asian country, from seven ethnic groups: thai (75%), Chinese (14%), Mon, Khmer, Lao, Malay, Indians. The inhabitants are 95% Buddhists. Thailand is also called “The country of smiles”, due to the hospitality encountered by the tourists.

The most important Thai city is the capital of Bangkok, a growing financial and economic center, but also one of the largest ports in South Asia. The city has many UNESCO World Heritage sites, including 300 Buddhist temples and the Royal Palace. The most modern Thai resorts are in Hua Hin region, which has a 3 km long beach, with spectacular views. Hikers can choose the Isaan region, known for its special landscapes.

In north-eastern Thailand, there is the Sakon Nakhon region, a place full of history, famous for its Buddhist temples, secluded in wooden areas and preferred by ascetics for meditation.

The region is also appreciated for handicraft products, made of cotton and silk. The capital of the region, also called Sakon Nakhon, is an important Buddhist culture center with five stupas(Buddhist funeral monuments).

The traditional costume, illustrated on the stamps of the issue, represents, for each people, an integral part of the local history and civilization, a living testimony that has passed to the generations, over the centuries, the message of the authentic artistic creation.

Romanati costume falls in the typology of Oltenian traditional costume, remarked by compositions and decorative motifs, that refer to the ornamental repertoire of the Neolithic ceramics of Vadastra – the spirals on the sheepskin coats – and to the pomposity of the gold thread fabrics, from the embroidery of the women’s chemise.

Women’s garment consists of a wavy at the collar chemise, with a decoration on the sleeve in tripartite system (“altita” – wide embroidery, wrinkles, rivers) on the chest, back and legs. 

The refinement of the chemise is given by the chromatic relationship between the cherry and the silver metallic thread. The tissue apron is associated with the folded up “valnic”.

The garment also contains wool socks and bovine leather sandals.

The men’s costume consists of a summer straw hat, an embroidered shirt adorned with “coltisori”, trousers, socks and sandals. The loom woven belt and the doublet decorated with rosettes on the entire surface, in vivid colors, complete the costume.

The traditional folk costume of Phutaiethnic group, in north-eastern Thailand, Sakon Nakhon Province, is specific to the countryside. The manwears a long cloth and a cotton, long-sleeved, navy-colored shirt, edged with red embroidery and a belt, in harmony with the costume of his partner.

The womanwears a cotton, navy blue skirt, decorated with woven embroidery, and a simple, long-sleeved shirt of the same color. The costume is completed by a red embroidered scarf, worn on shoulders and silver jewellery –necklace, bracelets and earrings.

Romfilatelia thanks the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum of Bucharest and the Thailand Postal Administration for the support granted for the achievement of this postage stamp issue.

Romania - Romanian Blouses, Unity in Spirit 2018

Technical Details:

Date of Issue: 22 June 2018

Stamp Size: 52 mm x 42 mm

Minisheet Size: 134 mm x 117 mm
Printing System: Offset, in 4 Colours on Chromo-Gummed Paper - UK origin
Designer: Mihail Vamasescu
FDC: 250 Sets (2 Covers)
Maxicards: 210 Sets (4 Images)
Run Printing: 78,720 Stamps; 34,080 in Sheets of 20 Stamps; 29,440 in Minisheets of 4 Stamps with Illustrated Border (7,360 Minisheets) and 15,200 in Blocks of 4 Stamps with Illustrated Border (3,800 Blocks)

THE ROMANIAN BLOUSE, UNITY IN SPIRIT

In the Centenary year of the 1918 Great Union, Romfilatelia introduces into circulation the postage stamp issue The Romanian Blouse, unity in spirit, dedicated to the most important piece of the traditional Romanian female costume, anticipating the day of June 24^th, declared in 2013 as The Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse.

The new issue will be available on Friday, June 22^th, 2018, in Romfilatelia’ own shops network in Bucharest, Bacau, Brașov, Cluj-Napoca, Iași and Timișoara.

The stamps of the issue illustrate blouses from the regions of Romania, as follows:

The folk blouses that is specific to Crisana (Bihor), respectively Maramures (Oas) regions are represented on the stamp with the face value of Lei 3.

Two other traditional pieces belonging to the regions of Bucovina (Suceava) and Moldova (Vrancea) are illustrated on the stamp with the face value of Lei 5.

The blouses specific to Banat (Lugoj) and Transylvania (Padureni, Hunedoara County) regions are represented on the stamp with the face value of Lei 7.

The fourth stamp of the issue, with the face value of Lei 11.50, illustrates the blouses specific to Oltenia (Mehedinti) and Muntenia (Ramnicu Sarat) regions.

On the First Day Cover of the postage stamps issue is represented the blouse from Dobrogea region.

Originated in the ancestral homeland of Geto-Dacian civilization, the Romanian costume has continued its course until today, presenting two essential characteristics: its unity and its continuity. After the Great Union of 1918, the blouse, basic element of the traditional female costume, was promoted as a unitary symbol of the Romanians.

The authentic Romanian blouse was made of sufficiently soft linen, the so-called “homemade cloth” or “whitened cloth”, made from flax, hemp or wool, woven with the help of the two-wire weaving loom. Later, the blouse or the embroidered shirt was also made from cotton spunned by distaff. In addition to color and fabric, the features of the blouse are also given by stitches, incret (the ornamentation on the sleeves of the Romanian blouses, made between the „altita” and „rauri”), altita (the embroidery at the top of the sleeve), rauri (vertical embroidery which runs like a river across the chest of the Romanian blouse) and seams.

The postage stamp issue is completed by a set of two First Day Covers, as page composition there were used a sheet of 20 stamps, a minisheet of 4 stamps with illustrated border and a block of 4 stamps with illustrated border.

United Arab Emirates - National Dances 1995

Date of Issue: 14 February 1995 

National Dances:
50 Fils - Al-Naashat 
175 Fils - Al-Ayaalah 
2 Dirhams - Al-Shahhoh 

The United Arab Emirates is a part of the Arab Khaleeji tradition. Yowla is a type of music and dance performed mainly in communities of Bantu people from the African Great Lakes region. During celebrations singing and dancing also took place and many of the songs and dances, handed down from generation to generation, have survived to the present time. Young girls would dance by swinging their long black hair and swaying their bodies in time to the strong beat of the music. Men would re-enact battles fought or successful hunting expeditions, often symbolically using sticks, swords, or rifles.

50 Fils - Al-Naashat
The Naashat also call Khaleeji Hair Dancers is usually performed in groups of no less than 4 female dancers. The dance is organised with formations of women in one one line standing, who take turns hair stirring. Pacing the dance and the songs are traditional drums and tambourines. The formation of participants can also include a separate section of women who in their turn recite and dance to praise the victory. The colorful dresses of these Naasha add beauty and glamour to the event.

Is a female dance style done with a decorative long dress called thobe Nashaal (this costume is actually considered oud fashion in the Gulf area but we still use it during khaliji presentations).
The name of the dance Nasha'at may refers to the hair movements as the arabic word nashaat meanshair, but in another context can be translate to blossoming flower. Sometimes appear the term Nashaal as the name of the dance which means pickpocket and also can refers to the traditional movement done with the thobe.

"During the wedding party hired musicians play popular songs and younger women usually perform the traditional dances of their area, oftentimes wearing traditional dresses called thawb nashal. Most of the movements are from the shoulders and the head. There is a little shimmying in the shoulders, small drops with the hips, and gliding of the feet. One distinct movement is called na'ish, or tossing the hair, in which women loosen their waist-long hair and swing it in circles, which is considered a higher and more enthusiastic level of performance. Na'ish is said to have originated from the Bedouin tribes and is performed along the Gulf coast.

I don't know if that clarifies anything. Arabic can be misleading in transliteration--could be variations on the same root, could be two words that coincidentally both have nuun and sheen in them. I'm wondering if the "hair" etymology isn't simply a misunderstanding. Why would a dress be named after hair? The dress is simply a fancy improvement over what is worn normally, so the idea that it's a way to express that (as opposed to linking it to a dance that may or may not be done while wearing it) does seem plausible."

The dance is based in the hair movement, special footwork, pickpocket of the thobe and unique gestures with hands and wrist - "The most basic movement of the dance is a limpy step with one foot flat and the other on the ball. This step might glide the dancer along sideways or alternate RLR pause, LRL pause. The body is very relaxed, hips are allowed to push back when lifting onto the ball of the foot."

The Saudi women are proud about their long hairs and is one of the most special moments in the dance to tossing the hair side-to-side to the point that the dancer's hair creates figure eights. These movements can be a representation of the sea waves as believes an antroplogist Melinda Smith married into a Kuwait family.The water and hair are connect as a symbol of fertility from Ancient times in the Persian Gulf.

The traditional costume is a long dress called thobe nashaal which is possible to play with the fabric to cover the face, pickpocking the borders, cover the head ect.

175 Fils - Al-Ayaalah
Al Ayala dance also generally known as yowalah is a traditional group dance of United Arab Emirates, The dance is accompanied with traditional music, and a separate group of male and female are represented. Yowalah is distinctive in both its music and dancing. Leather bagpipes, flute and drums are the traditional musical instrument played during the dance.

Generally known as the ‘stick dance’, this traditional fascinating UAE folk dance is accompanied by drumming and performed by two rows of dancers facing one another. Dancers are positioned close together in rows, signifying the unity and co-operation amongst tribal people.

The dance is usually performed at top events, national ceremonies and weddings in the UAE.

History.
Al-Ayyala is a popular and expressive cultural performance practised in north-western Oman and throughout the United Arab Emirates. Al-Ayyala involves chanted poetry, drum music and dance, and simulates a battle scene. Two rows of about twenty men face each other, carrying thin bamboo sticks to signify spears or swords. Between the rows musicians play large and small drums, tambourines and brass cymbals. The rows of men move their heads and sticks synchronously with the drum rhythm and chant poetic lyrics, while other performers move around the rows holding swords or guns, which they occasionally hurl to the sky and catch. In the United Arab Emirates, girls wearing traditional dresses stand at the front, tossing their long hair from side to side. The melody has seven tones in an irregular repeated pattern, and the chanted poetry varies according to the occasion. Al-Ayyala is performed during weddings and other festive occasions in both the Sultanate of Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Performers come from diverse backgrounds and age groups. The lead performer is usually an inherited role and is responsible for training others performers. Al-Ayyala is inclusive of all ages, genders and social classes. Yowalah is considered a victory dance, and it used to be performed usually after a victory in a tribal war or after returning from a successful pearl diving. The dance form is included in Unesco cultural heritage list.

Al Ayala and UNESCO
UAE has successfully recorded Al Ayala on UNESCOs Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Items of Humanity in November 2014, in cooperation with Oman. Being part of this important list will contribute towards reviving and promoting Al Ayala as part of the region’s national identity and the heritage of humanity as a whole. Additionally, this listing helps in transferring knowledge, skills, and the values of Al Ayala from one generation to another - and contributes towards achieving respect, mutual understanding, and peace amongst the people of the UAE.

2 Dirhams - Al-Shahhoh
Emirati music and dance are performed to express happiness during joyous occasions such as Eid, engagements, wedding parties and celebrations in general. The UAE has its own exclusive types of music and dance that have been regularly practised in the past and are still a well-kept tradition for today's generation — and surely for generations to come.

UAE musical instruments include the famous oud (a stringed instrument), drums; tambourine, (which Emiratis call the daf), rababa (a stringed instrument), tanboura, doumbek (a goblet drum) and the nai.

Emiratis have shown these musical instruments were used many years ago by Bedouins. Since then, generations have passed their knowledge on about them, until they have become an integral part of UAE heritage. The instruments are also widely used in the region.

In days gone by Emirati music and dance was played and performed to entertain workers who had usually accomplished some kind of success. For example, for the Emirati pearl voyagers, traditional songs were sung by a Nahaan.

A famous UAE dance is called the Al Ayyalah, which is practised only in the UAE. It is accompanied by a large drum called Al Ras.

Its solid, deep tones, sets the beat for the three smaller takhamir drums. The dance is performed only by men and 25 is the minimum acceptable number for a performance of the Al Ayyalah.

Occasionally, participants number 200, and they stand in two equal rows that face each other with arms linked, as a gesture of unity and support. Then they gently wave sticks in front of them and sway back and forth. Each row sings in a declaration of a challenge to the opposite group.

The Harbiyah is another traditional dance that reflects victory, pride and courage.

The Liwa is a dance that was brought to the Gulf by East African traders. It is danced to African-style music and features a pipe-flute called the mizmar. The three backing drums for this dance are the shindo, the jabwah, and the jasser.

The Liwa begins with the mizmar solo of about six minutes in a slow tempo, later the drums join in and are followed by ten dancers or singers and gradually the pace increases to a swirl of activity. This type of dance accepts participants of both men and women and usually takes about 25 minutes.

The Haban is another type of dance, which is also known as the Khamiri or the Khayali. The names refer to the stringed musical instrument that control the dance. The performance is carried out by three groups. The first one consists of six to eight men, the second is made up of the same number of women, and the third comprises nine or 10 musicians.

The conductor of the performance is the player of the Haban. Men and women performers move on a two-step steady rhythm forth and back.

There is a huge variety of music and dance in the UAE. Emiratis were — and still are, strongly attached to playing the oud and performing the Al Ayyalah during special occasions.

United Arab Emirates - National Games 1995

28 August 1995

National Games
50 Fils - Rolling a Hoop
175 Fils - Swinging
250 Fils - Stone Game
2 Dirhams - Sticks in Stone Square Game