“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has disrupted peace across the globe. It has changed the lives of each of us, especially the Ukrainian people. Poland’s own wartime experience has shown us how fast the war shatters the work of generations and how deep the wounds it inflicts,” Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk said during the presentation of the new stamp. “Indeed, it could be just because of the painful experience of the wars waged here in the 20th century that Poland and the Poles have instinctively responded with unconditional solidarity and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainians. These values are symbolically represented in the stamp by a handshake,” the minister added.

The stamp was officially introduced at the MFA headquarters in the presence of President of the Management Board of Poczta Polska SA Tomasz Zdzikot and Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland Oleh Kuts. The event started with a performance of the 1885 hymn “Prayer for Ukraine” composed by Mykola Lysenko. An interpretation of that song of special significance for Poland’s Ukrainian neighbours was offered by Tetyana Korzh and Yulia Kharbat from Ukraine.

“We truly appreciate the efforts made by the Republic of Poland on the international forum to support Ukraine. The Ukrainians who fled their homes due to the invasion and are now in Poland have received special care and attention. We would like to thank you for that. We are convinced that joint efforts and such an amazing support will bring us victory!,” emphasised Minister-Counsellor Oleh Kuts, Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine to Poland.

The idea behind the handshake in the national colours of Poland and Ukraine depicted in the stamp “We are with you!” designed by Paweł Myszka is to highlight unity, give prominence to the community of shared values, and announce engagement in the rebuilding of independent Ukraine after the Russian invasion.

Also put into circulation alongside the new stamp was an FDC (first day cover) envelope.  It features an image of the figure of the goddess Berehynia from Kyiv’s Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti), a symbol of Ukraine’s autonomy and a token of its regained independence.

“Since the onset of the invasion, we have been engaging in all possible ways to help Ukrainian refugees, our Ukrainian colleagues from the postal sector, and Ukraine itself,” said President Tomasz Zdzikot of Poczta Polska SA. He added that the Polish state postal operator had arranged with its Ukrainian counterpart, the Ukrposhta, to take over as its liaison in international air traffic, among other things. Also, Poczta Polska SA joined the government programme devised to help Poland’s attacked neighbour. As part of its engagement, the company offered the state administration to make use of its accommodation facilities at the postal training and leisure centres (where nearly 200 refugees have already found shelter) and at a hostel for workers.

It was mostly owing to enormous commitment on the part of the Polish Security Printing Works and its ability to produce an edition of three million copies at breakneck speed that the stamp was successfully put into circulation at such a short notice.

 

Łukasz Jasina

MFA Spokesperson

 

Photo: Bartosz Peterman / MFA