Romania - Traditional Folk Costumes, Joint Issue Romania-Poland 2013

Technical Details:
Issue Date: 11 September 2013
Designer: M.Dabrowska
Process: Offset
Colours: 4 colours
Size: 52x 42 mm, 75 x 108 mm
Values: 8.10 Lei

About Joint stamp issue Romania – Poland: Traditional Folk Costumes

The 25th of January 2013 marked 20 years since signing the Treaty on friendly relations and cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Poland, occasion on which Romfilatelia introduces into circulation the joint stamp issue Romania - Poland with the theme Folk Art - Traditional Folk Costumes.

Folk art is the natural expression of the rural community’s life and aspirations, revealing the sensitivity and life horizon thereof. In the general framework of folk art, the costumes are real “identity cards” of the inhabitants of different geographical areas, being developed following a long creation process and maintaining values of the tradition and culture of numerous generations.

The Romanian costume from Bistrita-Nasaud area denotes an optimism plastically expressed by the contrast between the white fabric of the shirts and the strong red of the embroideries. Spectacular and specific to the area are the men’s vests with “canaci”, decorated with successions of polychrome silk tassels and the long sheepskin coat worn by the women, embroidered with floral motifs and lining leather applications and large silk tassels. The hats decorated with a disk-shaped peacock feather, a symbol of the lads and paunitele (peahens), an adornment specific to the girls, are unique in the country. The latter consists in two bead-embroidered circles attached above the ears and surrounded by peacock feathers.

The Polish costume from Krakow area has bright colours and joins beautiful, strong shades of red and blue to black and white. The women wear skirts lavishly decorated with flowers, embroidered vests and beads, especially red. Unmarried girls may wear flower crowns with ribbons, while married women wear head scarves. Men wear blue vests with embroideries and tassels, pants with vertical white and red stripes and red hats with ribbons and peacock feathers. A precious accessory of the costume is represented by the tall boots worn by both men and women.

The stamp of the joint issue illustrates both the Romanian folk costume from Bistrita-Nasaud area, and the Polish one from Krakowarea. The costumes reproduced on the postage stamp distinguish through the peacock feather, a characteristic joint element, the hats with the disk-shaped peacock feather being a symbol of the lads in both folk cultures. The very bright colours and the floral decorations are accompanied by the pride of each pair wearing them.

The perforated souvenir sheet margin reproduces the logo of the Polish and Romanian friendship designed by the Polish illustrator Jacek Doszyn, whose work won the competition organized at the beginning of 2013 by the Polish Institute in Bucharest under the patronage of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Romania. The logo is designed to accompany and highlight all the events organised over 2013 on the occasion of the 20th anniversary since signing the Treaty on friendly relations and cooperation between Romania and the Republic of Poland.

Romania - 20th Century Fashions 2003

Technical Details: 
Issue Date: 13 December 2003
Designer: Simona Bucan
Process: Tiefdruck
Colours: 6 Colours
Size: 33 x 48 mm
Values: 2 x 4,000 Lei; 2 x 21,000 Lei

Romania - Romanian Heraldic Symbols 2008

Technical Details:

Issue Date:04 September 2008
Designer:Octavian Ion Penda
Process:Offset
Colours:5 Colours
Size:36 x 36 mm, 126 x 90 mm, 117 x 147 mm (stamp size: 42 x 52 mm)
Values:0.60LEI, 1.00LEI, 3.10LEI, 3.00LEI, 6.00LEI

About Romanian Heraldic Symbols

Used as a historical source, heraldry is an important mean of putting theoretical principles into practice, interpreting and researching the evolution of a country’s coats of arms, of a domain, a city or a family. The denomination of heraldry derives from the Latin term used during the Middle Ages: heraldus = herald. During the Medieval period, heralds were the messengers of the war but they would also make the presentations of fighters during jousting competitions and their armorial bearings. The coat of arms was a conventional symbol, characteristic for the state, city, family, individual, etc. The oldest Romanian coats of arms representing Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania bear the seal of Occidental influence.

For history lovers and equally for collectors of heraldic symbols, Romfilatelia introduces into circulation the postage stamp issue “Romanian Heraldic Symbols”, accomplished according to an original graphic concept signed by the famous artist Octavian Ion Penda.

The stamp with the face value of Lei 0.60 depicts the heraldic symbols of Moldavia, based on sigillary and monetary springheads. The first representation is found on the backside of the grosses, coins struck during the reign of Petru I Musat, Moldavian ruler (1375-139), as well as his sigillum from 1387. The Moldavian coat of arms shows the bull head with a 5-ray star on its forefront between its antlers, flanked by a rose on the right side and a crescent on the left. This is also illustrated on a seal from 1430 belonging to Alexander the Good (Alexandru cel Bun). This heraldic representation of the Moldavian coat of arms can also be seen on religious monuments and historical documents.

The stamp with the face value of Lei 1.00 presents the heraldic symbols of the region of Wallachia. Ever since its creation, the main element of the symbol was the eagle, accompanied by the sun and the moon. The image of the coat of arms of Wallachia, highlighted on the seal of Voivode Mircea the Elder (Mircea cel Batran) on a document dating since 1390, is considered to be the oldest and the most accurate representation of the symbol. If the initial coat of arms presents the eagle with folded wings, it later on suffered some visible modifications such as a richer plumage with unfolded wings, on the edge of taking off, as envisaged on the seal of Patrascu cel Bun in 1557.

The stamp with the face value of Lei 3.00 shows the heraldic symbols of the region of Transylvania. At the end of the 16th century, certain printed works showed the printed images of a cut shield with an eagle in the upper part and seven mountain ranges in the lower one, tended by crenellated towers. Along the time, the mountain ranges disappeared from the heraldic representation of the region of Transylvania but the red towers on golden fields were preserved in the upper part, together with the eagle flanked by the sun and the moon. Bearing in mind that the coat of arms of Transylvania suffered, in time, no noticeable modification, after the accomplishment of the Great Unification on December 1st, 1918, its elements were incorporated in the Romanian coat of arms.

The stamp with the face value of Lei 3.10 illustrates one of the variant of the coat of arms of the Romania’s capital, Bucharest. Created in 1930 by the de Heraldic Consulting Commission, the symbol was used until 1948. After 1989, the City Hall of the Municipality of Bucharest decided to give the city its ancient coat of arms. The emblem represented the golden eagle holding a cross in its beak, bearing the steel Romanian crown on its head. The central part shows Saint Great Martyr Dumitru – military saint, protector of the city of Bucharest. The eagle has a silver sword in its right claw and a golden scepter in its left one. The motto accompanying it is My Country and my right.

The souvenir sheet of the postage stamps issue also presents other coats of arms and seals used in the city of Bucharest between 1864 and 1888.The stamp of the souvenir sheet has the face value of Lei 6.00.

Romania - New Year Customs 2016

Technical Details:
Issue Date: 21 December 2016
Designer: Victor Telibasa
Process: Offset
Colours: 4
Size: Stamps size: 48 x 33 mm
Minisheet size: 120 x 110 mm
Values: 2.20 Lei, 2.50 Lei; 8 Lei; 15 Lei

About New Year Customs

Formerly, December was called verbatim the “Knitting needle” month, and “Sheepskin Coat” month, the month of “Snow” or “St. Andrew’s” month.

In the world of the Romanian village the traditions and customs from bygone times are the unwritten national treasure and folk wisdom, which unite the pre-Christian and Christian practices. Some of them have been forgotten, but others continue up to this day and we can seek their origin in ancient times when, in general, a moment that marked a beginning had a powerful symbolic importance.

The list of Romanian traditions and customs includes in addition to carols, dances with masks, processions, folk theatre and dances specific to the end of the year. Of all these, Romfilatelia presents within the philatelic issue New Year Customs, four postage stamps that render some of the traditions of the end of the year, essences of our spiritual wealth.

“Plugusorul” (literal translation – little plow) is a Romanian custom practiced since ancient times on New Year’s Day. This agrarian tradition, which is originally a sacred ritual manifestation of the wishes to have rich harvests, has to do with the work to obtain bread.

Also known by other names like “plow” or “ploughmen”, plugusorul has a symbolic character, originated by a magical incantation.

Children are the first to start plugusorul and begin to walk among the houses, receiving in exchange for their wishes of a good year, knot-shaped breads, fruit or money. The troop leader is marked by a brass and tin covered cane, decorated with colorful tassels, representing the mark of authority.

An agrarian custom, structured after carols, Riding with the “buhai” (a special drum caused to boom by pulling on a tuft of hair attached to it) is a tradition kept for centuries in Romanian villages. The buhai custom is practiced on New Year’s Eve, between dusk and midnight.

The object itself is a churn with one of the ends covered by a stretched piece of sheepskin, from the center of which hangs a horsehair mane, which produces a solemn, strange and unmusical sound, reminiscent of a bull’s roar.

Sometimes the buhai is adorned with ram’s horns wrapped in colorful paper, and tassels.

The groups of well-wishers wear traditional costumes adorned with hats, whips and bells, being fondly received by the hosts, who reward them with apples, nuts, pretzels and knot-shaped breads.

Another ancient custom that takes place in the New Year’s evening is the Bear or dance, a popular dance with masks with an omen characteristic, consisting of disguised well-wishers. Powerful, unpredictable and cruel, the bear is an animal revered since ancient times. In Romanian folklore, bears are empowered with different protective abilities, therapeutic and weather changing.

The masked costume is handmade from the fur of a whole animal, and the head is adorned with two red tassels.

The Bear dance is the bringer of fertility and the sounds of the whistle, drums and bells will result in raising the heat from the earth and so the soil will be more productive.

The Goat dance is an ancient custom still retained by Romanians, which is part of the traditions of winter. On New Year’s Day, through the folk theatre that the Goat dance presents going through a cycle of “transformations” (death, burial, mourning and resurrection) we actually participate in a dramatic ritual intertwined with elements of worship.

According to Romanian traditions, going along with the goat, as well as receiving the well-wishers in every home, brought Christians good luck and prosperity in the household, being also an important custom for farmers who felt the Goat dance was a calling to the divine force for attracting rich crops. An anciently worshiped animal, the goat was associated to the cult of fertility.The ritual of this dance symbolizes the burial of the old year and the re-birth of the new year.

New Year’s custom, going around with the Sorcova, is practiced especially by children. The etymology of the word “sorcova” comes from the Bulgarian word “surov”, which means “green” and refers to the budding green branch that the well-wishers of old would use.

For the well-wishers, the sorcova stick is used instead of a magic wand and has the capacity to transmit health and youth to the one being wished upon.

These New Year customs are practiced in the belief that in the coming year, people will be healthier and will have the abundance of their barns, herds and orchards.

We wish you healthy, peaceful New Year with the hope for a better future!

Romania - Romania in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage 2014

Technical Details: 
Issue Date: 07 August 2014
Designer: Mihai Vamasescu
Process: Offset
Colours: 4 Colours
Size: 72 x 33, 124 x 90 mm
Values: 3.10 Lei, 6 Lei, 9.10 Lei

About Romania in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Intangible Cultural Heritage includes oral traditions and expressions, having the language as its main vector, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and the skills necessary to produce traditional crafts.

The list of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage was officially created in 2008, and was the result of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, signed in Paris on 17 October 2003.

Romfilatelia dedicates the present issue of postage stamps to this special area, proudly promoting four of the Romanian traditional customs and manifestations, inscribed on the list of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage: the Calus ritual dance, nominated and accepted in November 2008, the Doina, inscribed in October 2009, the craftsmanship of Horezu ceramics, inscribed in December 2012, and the Men’s group Colindat, Christmas time ritual, the most recently inscribed on the list, in December 2013.

The Calus ritual dance, present since ancient times both in Moldavia and Transylvania, is performed nowadays in Muntenia, Oltenia and Ardeal (the sub-region of Orastie). This Romanian dance is traditionally performed the week before the Pentecost, being considered to have healing effects. Yet, there are historic documents mentioning the dance being performed on other occasions too, as it was the case of the dance performed by the soldiers of ruler Mihai Viteazul, called “the caluseri”, who were led by captain Baba Novac, for the celebration organized by Sigismund Bathory in 1599, at Piatra Caprei, close to Alba Iulia. The Calus is related to the worship of an ancient equine god, known in the popular tradition of the Dacians as Calus, Calut or Calucean. The motifs on the dancers’ costume have names that recall the god’s name, the dance movements symbolising the trample and the behavior of the horse.

The Doina is one of the Romanian representative literary products that enrich the folk heritage along with fairy tales, ballads, and many other popular creations. The literary species of doina is a lyrical chant meant to express a wide range of feelings (of nostalgia, sadness or love) characterized by extraordinary depth, that can be sung with an instrumental accompaniment.

The Craftmanship of Horezu ceramics is a unique traditional craft, from the northern part of Valcea County, practiced both by men and women, the manufacturing process being divided between them. Men select and extract the soil, which is then cleaned, cut and wetted, kneaded, trampled and mixed, becoming thus the clay body from which the famous red pottery of Horezu is produced. The women are those who decorate the objects using specific techniques and tools to draw traditional motifs. Their handicraft and talent to combine decorations and colours define the personality and uniqueness of this type of ceramics. The colours are vivid and include dark brown, red, green, blue and the “Horezu ivory”, being used to depict motifs such as the fish, the snake, the rooster, the tree of life, the oak leaf, etc.

Men’s group Colindat, Christmas time ritual, practiced in Romania and the Republic of Moldavia, was inscribed on the list of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage on the occasion of the 8th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage that took place in Baku, Azerbaidjan, in March 2013. This is an old tradition characteristic of the Romanian culture. Its Latin origin was analysed many times, being universally accepted. This ritual has accompanied the Romanian people for centuries, guiding its life according to the laws of popular ethics and aesthetics. It encompasses important values of the musical, literary and choreography folklore, which have been retained through orality.

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).

------

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

Turkey - 175th Anniversary of Posta ve Telgraf Teşkilatı (PTT), Turkey Postman Uniform 2015

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 23 October 2015
Subject: 175th Anniversary of PTT
Width: 36.0 mm
Height: 78.0 mm
Denomination: 1.40 TRL
Layout/ Format: Booklet of 10 Designs
Perforations: Imperforate
Stamp Issuing Authority: General Directorate of PTT

Printer: PTT Printing House

Albania - Traditional Costumes 2007