This is the 4th year listing Tunisia’s stamp program here on Bitter Grounds. When prepping this year’s program, I looked back on the first article, and was struck by how spartan the introduction was. While looking around for interesting details to share this year, I found a slide show, Round table on Marketing in stamps: design and printing (2017) by Tunisian Post Museum head Olfa Mokadddem. In the brief rundown, Mokaddem provided a few tantalising bits about Tunisia’s history complete with stamps for each historical landmark:
- 1st Arab and Muslim country to issue a banknote (1847)
- 1st Arab and Muslim country to represent a woman on a postage stamp in 1926
- 1st Arab and Muslim country to abolish slavery (1847)
- 1st Arab and Muslim country to adopt a constitution (1861)
- 1st Arab country to prohibit polygamy (1956)
While reading this list I remembered one of the first stamps I posted from Tunisia:
Abolition of slavery and servitude in Tunisia
Abolition of slavery and servitude in Tunisia FDC. Image uses part of the 1846 decree issued by the government
This set was created by Ridha Zaafrane and is a prime example of how Tunisian stamps are excellent country ambassadors. This one is still one of my favourite releases from Tunisia. You can read more here The Abolition of Slavery in Tunisia 1841-1846 | UNESCO.
After 4 years, some of the artist names are becoming familiar, but frustratingly illusive. I’m still on the hunt for bios and non-philatelic artwork for most of them. In the meantime, the New York Times wrote an interesting article in 2016 titled Tunisia, Through the Eyes of Its Artists and Intellectuals – The New York Times (nytimes.com). It’s not paywalled, so go and enjoy.
January
Tunisia – China: Sixty years of friendship and cooperation (1964-2024)
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Designer: Tunisian Post
Release date: January 10, 2024
For a Free Palestine
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, postcard
offset
Arab artists supporting Palestine with bold new works (thenationalnews.com)
‘This is a critical moment’: Tunisian protesters show support for Palestine | News | Al Jazeera
Designer: Amor ZAMMOURI
Zammouri first stamp was the 2012 The First Anniversary of the Revolution of January 14th.
Release date: February 24, 2024
Tunisian Handicrafts
4 stamps
offset
- Jebba embroidery – this site, The rich heritage of Tunisia’s traditional dress – Maghreb Magazine, has a good article on the traditional Tunisian garb.
- traditional Tunisian embroidery
- metal engraving – metal engraving (including copper) was recognised as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2023.
- copper engraving
Designer: Sihem CHAABENE
Previous stamps include Mushrooms from Tunisia (2023), World Water Day (2013) and Football World Cup, Germany 2006 (2006)
Release date: March 15, 2024
Environment and Sustainable Development: Water Management
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
Designer: Yassine GHORBEL
Yassine’s first stamp for Tunisia was the 2004 Birds from Tunisia pair. Since 2017, Ghorbel has contributed at least one stamp set per year.
Release date: March 22, 2023
April
Tunisian Mosaic
2 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset
Mosaic Tiles – “Tunisian Mosaic of a Hunting Scene”. The 3rd century Roman tiles are from Thysdrus (El Djem, Tunisia) at the El Djem (Tunesia), Archaeological Museum
Release date: April 25, 2024
May
Mother’s Day
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, postcard
offset
Designer: Mohamed Kamel Bennis
Release date: May 16, 2024
June
Innovative Agricultural Systems: Gafsa Oasis, Djeba Gardens in Beja, Ramli Crops in Ghar El Melh, Bizerte
This set explores three agricultural systems that are considered part of the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage.
- Gafsa Oases | Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | GIAHS | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)
- Hanging gardens from Djebba El Olia | Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | GIAHS | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)
- Detailed Information | Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | GIAHS | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (fao.org)
Designer: Sihem Chaabene
Release date: June 5, 2024
July
Euromed Postal: Sports in the Mediterranean
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset
Designer: Rania Jandoubi
Jandoubi also designed the 2023 Islands of Tunisia set.
Release date: July 9, 2024
ETAP: 50 Years of Activity
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Tunisian Company of Petroleum Activities Company
Designer: Arwa GOUIA
Release date: July 16, 2024
August
Tunisian Women
23 stamps + 2 labels, one FDC and cancel
offset
This is part of a series celebrating the women of Tunisia and their achievements. Released for Tunisia’s Women’s Day.
Women going left to right from the top:
- Cherifa Fayache
- Khadija Rebah
- Khadija Ch’our
- Fatma Bent Boubaker
- Assia Ghallab
- Zoubeida Badda
- Jouda Ben Abidv
- Asma Belkhodja
- Souad Lyagoubi Quahchi
- Selma Baccar
- Jamila Bent Mohamed Ben Jaballah
- Hafsia Sluqqa
- Mouna Noureddine
- Hela Boussema
- Kahena Attia
- Najla Querghi Zaghdoud
- Nalla Dhahab
- Néziha Maghrebi
- Noura Borsali
- Badra Ben Mcatapha Quertons
- Aicha Ben Zekour
- Fadhila Khitmi
- Habiba Ghribi
If you have details on any of the women listed, please share with my readers.
Designer: Tunisian post
Release date: August 13, 2024
September
Works of the Alexandre Roubtzoff (1884-1949)
Tunisia-Russia joint issue
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset
Russian born, French painter Alexandre Roubtzoff spent much of his career in Tunisia. He visited Tunisia in 1915, deciding to settle remain there and become a French citizen.
Russian Impressionist & Modern painter was also known under the name Alexander Alexandrovich Roubtzoff (A.A. Roubtzoff). His most outstanding works were portraits of Tunisia and it’s people. You can see more here Alexandre Roubtzoff | Artnet | Page 9
This singular artist painted numerous genre scenes from daily life, making him a remarkable witness of local customs. His painting notable by its quality and its informative angle is showing precious moments of a pass time. He was The painter of Tunisia.
Alexandre Roubtzoff – Galerie Ary Jan – Galerie d’art à Paris 8
A good brief bio can be found here https://www.encyclopedie-afn.org/ROUBTZOFF_Alexandre in French
First stamp: Self portrait oil on canvas – September 1919
Second stamp: In the garden of Sid Bousaid – 1926
Designer: Tunisian post
Release date: September 5, 2024
October
150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, maxicard
offset
The the 150th Anniversary of the Universal Postal Union, Tunisia has issued a rare maxi card to go with the FDC and stamp. the post office incorporated a shared design used by countries around the world for this landmark celebration.
Designer: Souhir CHARFI
Release date: October 9, 2024
November
Centenary of Tunisian Labour Movement
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Designer: Amor ZAMMOURI
Zammouri also designed the Freedom for Palestine set released early in the year.
Release date: November 15, 2024
World Children’s Day
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
Designer: Amna MHADHBI
Release date: November 20, 2024
With Gaza
1 stamp, FDC, cancel
offset
This is a special is using a common design shared by Syria, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, Qatar, Djibouti and Oman.
During the 27th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information, held on January 18, 2024 in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), the postal administrations of the Arab countries were invited to dedicate the common postage stamp, planned for the year 2024, to the expression of solidarity of the Arab countries with the Palestinian cause.
Thus, the project of this common postage stamp was the subject of a competition in which several Arab countries participated through proposals for models, at the end of which the creation of the Jordanian post office was selected to be reproduced in this common postage stamp, under the theme “With Gaza”. The selected work illustrates a gap of hope showing a flag and doves in the midst of the destruction and devastation recorded in Gaza.
Solidarity with Gaza stamps – Joint Stamp Issues
If you are a collector of joint issues, the link above is a treasure trove of hard to find information. Well worth bookmarking.
Designer: Maram H.ALMAZAHRA
Release date: November 29, 2024
December
Cité Des Sciences in Tunis (CST) – Tunisia, Science City
2 stamps, FDC, cancel
offset
Science City is a museum dedicated to promoting science, especially to children. It has hands on displays as well as workshops for both adults and kids. You can find them here: Tunis Science City
The Tunis Science City, officially opened in 2002, is an institution in charge of making science an inspiring and exciting experience for people of all ages. It aims to spark an interest in science and technology. In fact, its mission is twofold: on one hand, it is entrusted with instigating social dialogue on science, and on the other hand, it offers a wide range of enrichment programmes for students aimed at complementing the school’s formal science education.
Tunis Science City
Designer: Sihem CHAABENE
Release date: December 18, 2024
Animals in Danger of Extinction in Tunisia
4 stamps
offset
There doesn’t seem to be a FDC listed.
Least weasel (Mustela Nivalis) – ADW: Mustela nivalis: INFORMATION
Carthaginian Tree Frog (carthaginienis) – The Carthaginian tree frog, Hyla carthaginiensis, is an endemic species confined to northern Tunisia and north-eastern Algeria. The species is known for its limited dispersal ability and its sensitivity to heat and water stress. With climate change and the latent rise in temperatures, the species could face potential hazards, thereby increasing its susceptibility. Assessing the impact of climate change on the potential distribution of the Carthaginian tree frog (Hyla carthaginiensis): a species distribution modelling approach integrating different dispersal scenarios | Modeling Earth Systems and Environment (Full article behind a paywall, but the abstract supplies some relevant information to start you out.)
Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Egyptian Cobra: An Introduction to Naja haje Like the frog above, the cobra is under threat because of human destruction of its habitat, climate change, hunting and the illegal pet trade.
Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) – IUCN OSG – Lutra lutra
Designer: Amin Chaabane
Release date: December 25, 2024
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