Belarus started 2022 off right with some hunger inducing Belarusian Cuisine. Alexander Mityanin’s illustrations also created wonderful maxi cards that triggered a desire to go hunt down potato pancakes. Well, more specifically Draniki! But, food on stamps always does that to me.
Hopefully this year will be more interesting when it comes to the finer details of Belarus’ history and artists. I spent quite a bit of time overcoming a substantial lack of knowledge on my part of both Belarus’ culture and language. I think that might reflect in better details for each stamp. I noticed an increasing number of visits from Belarus, so I’m going to experiment with including artist & designer names in the original language. I’ve found, often names don’t translate well into English and this may make things a bit clearer to my Belarus readers. If I make an error, please let me know and I’ll correct the names immediately.
Collectors can look forward to a couple returning series and a few joint issues. Among the popular returning stamps is the annual EUROPA competition with this year’s theme Local Folktales and of course my personal favourite the Year of the Tiger. And don’t neglect the interesting cancels issued for each stamp. If you’re a post mark fan and haven’t looked at what Belarus offers, you are in for a treat. Little symbols pop up in some of the cancels that should tip you off to the country of origin. Here’s an example from the Belarusian Cuisine issues:
Did you spot it? If you look carefully, you can see a flash of embroidery woven into the cancel design. The embroidery is part of a deep cultural tradition in the country. So much so, it appears on their flag.
If you’re interested in learning about traditional Belarusian embroidery check this link out Belarusian traditional embroidery – patrimonial sings, meaningful symbols, and centuries-old patterns – Nationalclothing.org.
I’m not sure what else I can do to make the page more accessible, but if you have ideas, drop me a comment.
Cheers
Catpaw
January
Belarusian Cuisine
second set shows security feature
2 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 maxi cards, sheet of 6
offset
- Cranberry juice Where Are Cranberries Grown? – WorldAtlas
- Draniki (potato pancakes) Belarusian recipes: Draniki | Belarus.by.
Artist: Alexander Mityanin | Мастак А.Міцянін
Mityanin created the artwork for the 2021 series Wild Baby Animals and the Republican Wetland Sanctuary “Old Jaden graphic cover.
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya | Дызайн М.Віткоўскай
Vitkovskaya worked with Mityanin on the 2021 Wild Baby Animals stamps. She also created the Happy New Year! Merry Christmas! 2021 set.
Release date: January 5, 2022
30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the People’s Republic of China
1 stamp, FDC, cancel sheet of 5
offset
Diplomatic relations were established on 20 January 1992.
New stamp to mark 30 years of Belarus-China diplomatic relations (belta.by)
Дызайн паштовай маркі А.Мядзведзь, дызайн канверта «Першы дзень» і спецштэмпеля С.Цырулік
Designer: Yelena Medved
Medved’s previous designs include the 2021 Medal Winners, Architecture of Belarus – Orthodox churches, and Republican Scientific and Practical Centre “Cardiology”
Cancel & FDC designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik
Tsyrulik created a number of graphic covers and stamps for Belarus last year, including the Heroes of the Soviet Union and “Happy Birthday!”, “Congratulations!”, “Sa Svyatam!”
Release date: January 12, 2022
Lunar New Year – Year of the Tiger
Second image shows security mark
1 stamp, sheet of 6, FDC, cancel
offset
Artist: Victor Chaichuk | Мастак В.Чайчук
Chaichuk also supplied artwork for the 2021 Year of the Ox stamp.
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik | Дызайн Я.Бядонік with the assistance of the Republican Institute of Confucius China Studies of the Belarusian State University Biadonik created 8 post marks and stamps last year including working with Chaichuk on the Year of the Ox issues.
Release date: January 18, 2022
Orsha – cultural capital of Belarus in 2022
graphic cover
stamp: Monument to V.S. Korotkevich, Orsha Museum of V.S. Korotkevich
cover illustrations: Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah, the complex of the Jesuit Collegium, the ethnographic museum “Mlyn”, the coat of arms of Orsha
Orsha is the administrative center of the Orsha district of the Vitebsk region, a major railway and road junction of Belarus, a significant industrial center of the country. Orsha is one of the oldest cities in the republic. The first chronicle mention of Orsha in the “Tale of Bygone Years” dates back to 1067, which is considered the date of the founding of the city.In 2022, Orsha was declared the cultural capital of Belarus.
Belarus Post Office
Artist: Tatyana Dolskaya | Мастак Т.Дольская
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya | Дызайн М.Віткоўскай
Release date: January 19, 2022
30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Second image shows security mark
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 6
offset
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik | Дызайн С.Цырулік
Release date: January 24, 2022
February
Painting – Mikhail Andreyevich Savitski (1922–2010)
part of a long running series that includes 20 previous graphic covers
graphic cover, cancel
In memory of the scientist :: SAVITSKY Mikhail Andreevich (nasb.gov.by)
Artist: M.A.Savitski | Жывапіс. М.А.Савіцкі
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik | Дызайн канверта і спецштэмпеля С.Цырулік
Release date: February 1, 2022
March
Bird of the Year – Blue Tit
Series: Birds of Belarus
Second image shows security mark
1 stamp, maxi card, FDC, cancel, sheets of 7
Eurasian Blue Tit – Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio
The blue tit is a protected species in Belarus.
BirdLife International – BirdLife is the world leader in Bird Conservation
The first Bird of the Year stamp appeared July 30, 2002. It has been featured 5 times since it’s inception.
Artist: Alexander Mityanin | Мастак А.Міцянін
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya | Дызайн М.Віткоўскай
Release date: March 1, 2022
30 years of the first Belarusian postage stamp
3rd image shows security feature
1 stamp on souvenir sheet (perforate and imperf), 2 FDCs, cancel
The history of Belarusian philately began on March 20, 1992. On the first post miniature is the Cross of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk. Created in 1161, today it is a valuable work of art and one of the most famous relics of Belarus.
Over the past 30 years, 1,452 postage stamps have been issued. They show famous natives of Belarus: outstanding historical figures and enlighteners, writers, scientists, composers, politicians, sailors, astronauts, artists. Beautiful Belarusian castles and palaces, masterpieces of national culture, holidays, significant dates, flora and fauna – all this is on the postage stamps of the Republic of Belarus. Belarus Post Newsletter March 11, 2022
FDC and cancel designer: Yelena Medved | Дызайн Алены Мядзведзь
Release date: March 20,2022
April
RCC subjects – Parks and Gardens
2nd image shows security feature
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 6
Stamp shows the Central Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in Minsk. The image on the FDC is fountain in the Yanka Kupala park called “Wreath”. The Botanical Gardens official foundation date was April 17, 1932, although discussions on it’s creation began February 1931 at the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR.
1932 Resolution No. 102 which approved the creation of the Botanical Gardens.
The Yanka Kupala Park was built on the site of extensive WW2 damage, that included the home of poet Yanka Kupala. One of the focal points of this memorial park is the water feature “Wreath”. It shows two young women throwing wreaths into the water.
Artist Alexander Mityanin | Мастак А.Міцянін
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya | Дызайн М.Віткоўскай
Mityanin and Vitkovskaya teamed up for this year’s March Bird of the Year – Blue Tit set. They also created the 2021 Wild Baby Animals stamps, Bird of the Year – Nightjar, Rodents, and EUROPA: Endangered Wildlife.
Release date: April 5, 2022
Medalists of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games in Beijing
commemorative cover, cancel
Anton Smolski and Ganna Guskova
Designer: Elena Medved
Release date: April 20, 2022, FDC cancel April 24, 2022
May
EUROPA 2022 – Stories & Myths
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2 stamps, 3 souvenir sheets, FDC, cancel, 4 maxi cards
offset
Wood goblin and mermaids
In Belarusian mythology, each forest has its owner – Wood goblin, who takes care of all animals and birds (saves them from fire, hunters, etc.). Wood goblin is able to increase and decrease in size, take on the appearance of various animals. It is neutral or vengeful towards a person if he violates the rules of behavior in the forest. Belief in Wood goblin contributed to the establishment of a kind of ecological balance between man and nature (forest). Belarus post Newsletter # 11 (940) April 28, 2022
All regions of Belarus are characterized by the idea of Mermaids as female characters, more often young girls in wreaths, with blond, brown, green or other loose hair, similar to thin stalks of sedge, with green or blue eyes, naked or dressed in white clothes or greens. Mermaids appeared in the forest, in the field, near the water. Their attitude towards a person depends on their compliance with the rules of behavior. (According to the encyclopedic dictionary “Mythology of Belarusians”. I. Klimkovich, V. Avtushko, edited by T. Volodina, S. Sanko. Minsk, 2011).
Belarus post Newsletter # 11 (940) April 28, 2022
Artist: Victor Chaichuk
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Release date: May 6, 2022
Postman
Series: Children’s philately – Professions
2nd image shows security feature
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, maxi card, sheets of 12
Artist: Victor Chaichuk
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Release date: May 6, 2022
30th anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Belarus and the State of Israel
Commemorative cover, cancel
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik.
Release date: May 13, 2022
150 years of the birth of V.K. Byalynitsky-Birulya
Joint issue of Belarus and Russia
2nd image shows security feature
1 stamp on souvenir sheet, FDC, 2 cancels (Minsk & Moscow)
Byalynitsky-Birulya previously appeared on a Belarus stamp in 1997. His artwork was featured on a 1983 USSR stamp.
Vitold Byalynitsky-Birulya – 33 artworks – painting (wikiart.org)
Designer: Yelena Medved
Release date: May 17, 2022
Service dogs of the Border Guard
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2 stamps, 2 sheets of 6, 1 sheet of 4, FDC, cancel
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya
Release date: May 20, 2022
Birds of Belarus – Piciformes
Series: Birds of Belarus
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
5 stamps, sheets of 8, mini sheet of 5, 5 maxi cards, FDC, cancel
- Eurasian three-toed woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus) Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker – eBird
- Eurasian wryneck (Jynx torquilla) Eurasian Wryneck – eBird
- Lesser spotted woodpecker (Dryobates minor) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – eBird
- Middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocoptes medius) Middle Spotted Woodpecker – eBird
- Grey-headed woodpecker (Picus canus) Gray-headed Woodpecker – eBird
The Birds of Belarus series is a yearly issue, dating back to 2002.
Artist: Alexander Mityanin
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya
Release date: May 24, 2022
XIII Republican Festival of National Cultures
Commemorative cover, cancel
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya
Release date: May 26, 2022
June
Poisonous Mushrooms
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
4 stamps, 4 sheets of 7, mini sheet of 8, FDC, cancel, 4 maxi cards
- Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria) Amanita muscaria, Fly Agaric mushroom (first-nature.com)
- Panther cap (Amanita pantherina) Amanita pantherina, Panthercap mushroom (first-nature.com)
- Death cap (Amanita phalloides) Amanita phalloides, Deathcap mushroom (first-nature.com)
- European destroying angel (Amanita virosa) Amanita virosa, Destroying Angel mushroom (first-nature.com)
Artist: Alexander Mityanin
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya
Release date: June 1, 2022
100th Anniversary – Belarusian Prosecutor’s Office
Commemorative cover, cancel
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik
Release date: June 7, 2022
30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation
commemorative cover, cancel
Designer: Yelena Medved
Release date: June 7, 2022, special cancel issued June 24, 2022
30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Turkey
commemorative cover, 2 cancels (Ankara and Minsk)
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik
Release date: June 7, 2022, cancelation date July 1, 2022
Achievements of Belarusian Medicine
2nd image shows security feature
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 7
103rd anniversary of the healthcare system of Belarus
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Release date: June 14, 2022
July
Astronomy – Constellations
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
2nd image shows security feature
4 stamps, 5 sheets of 4, FDC, cancel
- The Goat Star
- The Stazharye – pleiades
- The Three Mowers
- The Wagon
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Release date: July 5, 2022
100th Anniversary – Archival Service of Belarus
1 commemorative cover, cancel
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik.Светланы Цырулик
Release date: July 14, 2022
30th Anniversary of Financial Investigation Bodies of Belarus
1 commemorative cover, cancel
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik.
Release date: July 14, 2022
Children’s philately – Professions – Shop Assistant
2nd image shows security feature
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, maxi card, sheet of 12
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Cancel & FDC artist: Victor Chaichuk,
Release date: July 28, 2022
August
30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of India
commemorative cover, 2 cancels
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik
Release date: August 1, 2022
Children philately – Professions – Builder
2nd image shows security feature
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, maxi card, sheet of 12
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Artist: Victor Chaichuk
Release date: August 11 2022
Day of Belarusian Writing in Dobrush
commemorative cover, cancel
Artist: Tatyana Dolskaya
Designer: Marina Vitkovskaya
Release date: August 17, 2022
Municipal arms of Belarus towns – Dobrush
2nd image shows security feature
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 9
Dobrush District Executive Committee
Designer: S.Tsyrulik
Release date: August 23 2022
10 Years of the Eurasian Economic Commission
2nd image shows security feature
1 stamp, sheets of 4, FDC, cancel
Designer: M.Vitkovskaya
Photographer: S.Plytkevich
Release date: August 26, 2022
September
100 years of National Library of Belarus
security feature
2 stamps on souvenir sheets (one imperforated), 2 FDCs, cancel
offset using metalized black foil
National Library of Belarus | Belarus.by
Designer: M.Vitkovskaya
Release date: September 15, 2022
Belarusian land – Vitebsk Region
3 stamps, 3 sheets of 6, souvenir sheet, FDC, cane
Historical center of Vitebsk, Saint Sophia Cathedral in Polotsk, Victory Square in Vitebsk
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Photographer Sergey Plytkevich
Release date: September 16, 2022
October
Children philately – Jobs Teachers
second image shows security feature
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 12
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Artist: Victor Chaichuk
Release date: October 2, 2022
World Post Day
second image shows security feature
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 6
Designers: Sonja Denovski, Marina Vitkovskaya
Release date: October 9, 2022
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
second image shows security feature
second image shows security feature
2 stamps, 1 FDCs, cancel, 2 maxi cards, 2 sheets of 6, souvenir sheet
offset
Designer: Yauheniya Biadonik
Release date: October 2022
“Green” economy in Belarus
Souvenir sheet
Release date: October 2022
November
30th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Moldova
commemorative cover, 2 cancels
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik
Artist: Tatyana Dolskaya
Release date: November 1, 2022
30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the Republic of Belarus and the Holy See
1 stamp, sheet of 6, FDC, cancel
Designer: Svetlana Tsyrulik
Release date: November 11, 2022
See last year’s stamps Belarus 2021 stamps – Belpochta 2021
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