It’s that time again! EUROPA 2022 is here with stories and myths from across the continent.  This is one of the most anticipated series of the year for me. The theme explores  “traditional stories, especially those concerning the early history of a people or explaining a natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.” (Newsletter 4/2019 Stamps & Philately Working Group). With 53 possible entries, we are being treated to a story telling and artistry extravaganza.  I think this year might bump 2020’s Ancient Postal Routes as my favourite topic. Yes, I’m excited, are you? 

Last year’s competition, Endangered National Wildlife, explored threatened and endangered wildlife and eco systems within each country. The winners were:

Gold – Poland Eurasian Lynx designed by Bożydar Grozdew

Silver – Åland – Moor frog (Rana arvalis) by Bo Lundwall

Bronze – Ukraine Carpathians eco system by 0. Simonenko

As the year progresses, stamps will populate the page. Patience is the key to enjoying Europa.  I go back and forth among the releases looking for new or better information about the stamps, designers and themes. Sometimes it takes a few weeks to filter through non-English language sites and have something coherent to post. It’s a time consuming process. But, a fun one.  If you have links (they don’t have to be in English) about any of the myths and stories below, please share them in the comments. I know other readers would appreciate your contribution.

The question now is, will there be dragons?  

Enjoy
Catpaw

IMPORTANT UPDATE – May 4, 2022

In an extraordinary meeting of PostEurop members on April 25, 2022, it was decided that Belarus & Russia will be allowed to issue postal stamps for the 2022 Stories & Myths theme, however, neither country’s stamps will be considered for the Most Beautiful EUROPA portion of the competition. 

The 2023 theme has been changed to PEACE – the highest value of humanity in support of Ukraine. The previously announced theme Underwater Fauna & Flora will be moved to 2024. National Archaeological Discoveries will be moved to 2025. 

A 

Åland  

1 stamp, sheets of 30, FDC, cancel, maxicard

SJÖRÅET – Sjörå, the Mistress of the Lake

The sjörå is a female water nymph who rules the sea and the lakes. Her beauty only extends to the front; from behind, she is a hollow stump. The sjörå, also known as mistress of the sea, is closely related to the mermaid. The water nymph has her own pots and pans of glittering copper that she scrubs by the lake shore, and she keeps her own livestock. The sjörå keeps a pike as a pet, so, be careful if you catch a particularly large pike! Åland-Post 2022

Artist: Lasse Harkkala
Designer: Johanna Finne

Release date: May 9, 2021

Albania

Andorra (France)

1 stamp, sheet of 15
offset

Legend of Charlemagne 

Charlemagne (742-814) was king of the Franks, the Lombards and emperor of the West, he laid the foundations of what will be the medieval European kingdoms Stamp Andorra – Europa – Llegenda Carlemany | La Poste private shop

Libraries are filled with texts and tales about Charlemagne. If you are unfamiliar with the history of Charlemagne, this site has a good page that isn’t overwhelming.  Charlemagne – World History Encyclopedia.

The Legacy Of Charlemagne: Why Is He Considered The Father Of Europe? | History Extra offers a bit more substance to think about. Unfortunately it’s paywalled, but they offer a few free reads. It’s worth reading because it also includes a section on epic poems about Charlemagne. The site has a second page titled Who Was Charlemagne And Why Were English Writers Obsessed With Him? | History Extra which is a fascinating look at the creation of the myth of Charlemagne. Again, it’s paywalled, but it’s a deeper dive into how this historical figure was gradually transformed  into a mythical one.  

To break out of the paywall conundrum, try The Legend and Life of Charlemagne (timelessmyths.com). It’s a shorter look at mythologizing Charlemagne. 

Literary fans should read The Song of Roland, written @ 1040-1115. It’s an epic poem. For reference see The “Song of Roland”: Frankish Knight and the Crusader Myth (thecollector.com). 

Artist: Jordi Casamajor
Casamajor provided artwork for Andorra’s 2018 Dante stamp
Designer: Stéphanie Ghinéa

Release date: May 14, 2022

Andorra (Spain)

1 stamp, cancel
Offset

The Virgin of Meritxell is the patron saint of Andorra. 

The story takes place in the late 12th century. One winter morning, villagers from Meritxell were going to mass in the parish of Canillo in the north of Andorra. On their way, they observed a blooming wild rose. This was particularly strange for them, as the flower was out of season. As they gathered and looked at the growing flower, they noticed an object at its base, soon revealed to be a statue of the Virgin Mary.

The legend tells of several attempts made by these villagers to relocate the statue to a chapel or a church in the neighboring towns and villages, to no avail. Every morning, the statue was found back at the original place, at the base of the blooming wild rose. Eventually, the villagers of Meritxell took this as a sign to build a chapel for their town. OUR LADY OF MERITXELL DAY – September 8, 2022 – National Today

Weekly Article #8 – The Legend of Our Lady of Meritxell – Perennial Pyrenees

Release date: May 19, 2022

Armenia

1 stamp, sheets of 8, souvenir folder

Goddess Astghik Աստղիկ

Astghik was an ancient goddess of love, beauty and water.     

Astghik (aka Astlik), the goddess of beauty and love whose name means “little star” (translated from Beldi, the Syrian goddess). Associated with doves and roses, she had a festival dedicated to her at the beginning of summer. One story involving Astghik tells of her habit of bathing in a stream each night. On one occasion a group of local young men, eager to glimpse the naked goddess, lit a fire on a hill to see Astghik better. The goddess foiled the plan by causing a great mist to settle over the area which henceforth acquired the name “Plain of Mush” after the Armenian word mshoush, meaning mist. Armenian Mythology – World History Encyclopedia

Designer: David Dovlatyan | Դավիթ Դովլաթյանի

Release date: May 27, 2022

Austria

1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 50, non-philatelic black and white print, info sheet
offset & hot foil printing

Der Eisenerzer Wassermann | The Eisenerz Waterman (merman)

This is a legend from the Styrian mountains that explains how the Erzberg district became a rich source of iron ore. Locals near Leopoldsteiner Lake (near Erzberg)  captured a “waterman” or a merman. The creature bargained with his captures and promised untold riches if they would release him. In return for his freedom, the people of Erzberg would receive one of the following rewards “gold for ten years, silver for a hundred years, or iron ore forever.”

After a great deal of thinking and discussion, they settled on iron ore and have been mining iron from the mountains since that time. After granting their reward, the merman leapt into a spring and disappeared. The spring is still called the Black Puddle.

 How the ore got into the Erzberg | steiermark.com

Designer: Marion Füllerer

Release date: May 7, 2022

Azerbaijan

1 stamp on souvenir sheet, 2 stamps, 2 sheets of 8, 2 FDCs, cancel

Simurg bird

The Simurg is Azerbaijan’s official entry into the EUROPA competition. In Persian mythology, the Simurg is a benevolent, beautiful bird that represents renewal and pops up in many tales across the region. The bird generally befriends the poor, or people in need.  It gives feathers to those under it’s protection, telling them, if they need help to burn the feathers and it’ll come to their aid.  

The Simurgh was described as a peacock with the head of a dog and the claws of a lion. She was a creature big enough to comfortably carry an elephant or a whale. The Simurgh was said to be so old that she had seen the destruction of the world three times over. This afforded her so much wisdom and learning that she possessed the knowledge of all the ages. Simurgh, the Mysterious Giant Healing Bird in Iranian Mythology | Ancient Origins Members Site (ancient-origins.net)

Simurgh | Myths and Folklore Wiki | Fandom

Designer: Orkhan Garayev

Release date: June 16, 2022

Azores

2 stamps on souvenir sheet, 2 maxi card, FDC, cancel, souvenir sheet 

Legend of the Pêro Botelho Gutter – tells the story of how Caldeirinha de Pêro Botelho was named
This is about the best version of the story I could find. LEGEND OF THE BOILER OF PÊRO BOTELHO DE FURNAS ~ A Povoacense Look (olharpovoacense.blogspot.com) 
In short it’s the story of a bad tempered man who falls into a caldera. No one knew he fell in and didn’t hear his cries for help so he vanished into the volcano. Long after his disappearance locals said they could hear him yelling “Get me out of here!”  He was blamed for periodic eruptions of sulphur and rocks that plagued them. 

The second stamp, on the souvenir sheet shows part of the story where locals yell down to him, teasing him with “Give us a sneeze Pêro Botelho!”. 

Illustrator: Jorge Macedo
Designer: Carla Caraça Ramos
Ramos designed the EUROPA set for Azores, Madiera & Portugal, & worked  3 illustrators. The FDC illustration shares elements from the three myths. 

Release date: May 9, 2022

B

Belarus

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

Belgium

2 stamps on a souvenir sheet, info sheet with FD cancel

• Saint Hubert the Hunter – This site has a basic rundown of St. Hubert Hubert, Patron Saint of Hunters – Written by Mitch Ballard. (thecross-photo.com) 
• Brabo en de reus Antigoon (volksverhalen.be)

Designer: Kris Maes 
Maes has designed many stamps for Belgium Post. His designs include the 5 year series Geometry in Nature that wrapped up in 2022 and the 2021 Where is the party? Here is the party that used an interesting optical effect that created a 3D effect. 

Release date: June 13, 2022

Bosnia-Herzegovina (Croatia) FBiH

2 stamps, mini sheet of 8, 2 souvenir sheets, FDC, cancel
offset

Slavic dieties: Mokoš and Perun

The Slavic people worshiped various deities, and research has led to the fact that the god of thunder and lightning, Perun, is considered the supreme god of the Slavic pantheon. He rules the living world by dwelling in a fort on the highest branch of the tree of life. His wife is the goddess of fertility and protector of women, Mokosh. She is the mother of the wet Earth and the bright Sun.

Perun is depicted as a rough red-haired man, symbolized by an eagle sitting on an oak branch watching the world. The water god of the underworld, Veles, is his enemy who lives at the root of the tree of life and is symbolized by the serpent. 
epostshop – EUROPA 2022. BLOCK – Mokoš

Designer: Vilim Parić

Release date: May 4, 2022

Bosnia-Herzegovina (Pošte Srpske) RS

2 stamps, FDC, cancel, sheet of 4

Drekavac (Screamer or Boogeyman) & BabarogaKaloška (Baba Roga)

The Screamer is sometimes translated to Boogeyman, but I’m not sure it does the myth justice.  I hunted around for a decent English language description of the Drekac and hope this quote suffices. 

Drekavac (Drekavac or Screamer) is demon from Southern Slavic folklore, created from dead, unbaptized toddlers. It is represented as tiny hairy creature with long sharp claws and long fur, which he stomps upon and yells in mixture of child’s cry, scream and wolf’s howling. He could scream so loudly that people could get deaf from him. He lives on graveyards, in forests or shores of rivers, generally, in places where it died as human. If human approaches him, he could jump on their back and force them to run until first calls of rooster. If human resists Drekavac, their face could be shredded with claws. Drekavac is afraid of light and dogs. Drekavac is commonly sighted in the forests of Mount Zlatbor in Serbia. List of Slavic creatures | Myths and Folklore Wiki | Fandom

Baba Roga is a familiar folk archetype that pops up in myths and legends around the world. She’s described as being an ugly, hunchbacked old woman who terrifies naughty children. I noticed a number of sites confuse Baba Roga with Baba Yaga. They have similarities, but are not the same.  This link has a decent write up on the two women Baba Roga: Slavic Childhood Story (meettheslavs.com), but if you have a better resource drop a comment. 

Designer:  Nebojša Djumić

Release date: May 11, 2022

Bosnia-Herzegovina (JP BH)

2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, mini sheet of 6, sheet of 10

Tales of Bosnian Villas

This set explores fairies in Bosnia folklore.

According to Bosnian mythology, fairies are born from a dew that falls on the leaves of a large tree that grows on a mysterious, unfamiliar hill. Legends say that they possess magical powers that they can use for good and bad purposes, as evidenced by numerous events sung in folk songs where it is described how the fairies became mothers, sisters or lovers to certain heroes such as Alija Djerzezelz, Muja Hrnjica or Halil.

Myths of the ancestors /Legends of our elders: Do you know the story of bosnian villas / Radio Sarajevo

Designer: Sunita Hamzić

Release date: May 9, 2022

Bulgaria

2 stamps on souvenir sheet, sheet of 8, booklet, FDC, cancel
offset, digital

*Images supplied by a reader. 

Khan Asparuh and Huba

Asparuh established the First Bulgarian Empire around 681 CE. Huba was his sister. The only reference I could find to Huba was on the website Europe is not Dead. The title of the article is The First Martenitsa, which led to a host of fascinating stories about the Martenista. 

The Martenitsa is made of twined red and white threads – woollen, silk, or cotton. The white is a symbol of strength, purity and happiness. The red is associated with health, blood, conception, and fertility. Martenitsa -an Ancient Bulgarian Tradition (studyenglishtoday.net)

If you look at the two stamps, you will see a piece of red and white twine tying the two stamps together. 

From the Europe is not Dead site:

When Huba got the good news from her brother, she managed to escape from captivity and run away. She rode on horseback without stopping until she reached the Danube River. She looked for some way to cross the mighty river but couldn’t find a ford to pass across. So then she tied a thread of white yarn to one of the legs of a falcon sent by her brother and let him fly up into the air, holding the other end of the thin thread in her hands.

The falcon flew away to find a ford for passage across the river and just then, when he found a place, an arrow shot by an enemy pierced the falcon, and he fell to the ground dead. The yarn became red from his blood. Huba followed the thread she was holding and so she found the way to cross the great river and reach the country where her brother Asparuh had made his new home. Then they lived free and happy in the new land they called Bulgaria.

On the FDC, Asparuh is tied to the falcon, which confirms this set is about Asparuh and Huba. 

Designer: Deya Valcheva

Release date: December 7, 2022

C – E 

Croatia

2 stamps, souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel, sheet of 16

Tree of the World  
Based on an ancient Croatian myth about how the world is structured. I’m going to quote extensively from designer Zdenko Bašić’s introduction to the stamp. 

Ancient Croatian mythology is a unique blend of Slavic beliefs that have assimilated with native Roman and Pre-Driman nations in this area….

 

What brought heaven and earth together was a huge “Tree of the World” as an axe that held everything together; stars, planets, clouds and winds, but also all that under the earth in the womb of the world. That tree is most often mentioned as a giant oak, which is also most valued as a tree in these regions.

 

On the branch of the “Tree of the World” sit celestial creatures and gods, and at the very top is the ancient Celestial Perun, master of lightning and time. The ancient righteous man to whom all the birds, stars, sky and everything in the air belong. He often appeared in the form of a great eagle or hawk, and his kingdom at the top of the Tree of the World is called Right. 

 

On the other hand, the roots of that tree reach deep into the ground where it holds the world together, but also the water that is hidden under its roots, which keeps it alive. There at the bottom is the dark Lord of the underground and water: Veles – Perun’s brother. He masters the world of the dead, spirits and darkness, but also three kinds of treasures. That worldly – money, treasure in the form of cattle, but also treasure in the form Of wisdom and knowledge. It is often described in the form of a horned dragon or a bear. His kingdom underground is called Viraj.
Zdenko Bašić May 9, 2022 from his Facebook announcement of the set. 

Designer: Zdenko Bašić
When Bašić’s name popped up on this stamp, I started racking my brain why it was familiar. Then I remembered, he was the illustrative genius (with Manuel Sumberac) for Steampunk: Frankenstein. He has illustrated and/or written over 20 books, many with a steampunk feel. Tapping into Bašić’s artistic skills for this theme was a good choice. He has spent a great deal of his career exploring folktales, illustrating and preserving them. 

Zdenko is not a folklorist but an illustrator and multimedia artist who has been transferring the nearly-forgotten, uniquely Celtic-Slavic tales of Northern Croatia into opulently illustrated books, art, and videos. It is no breezy boast that his three books dedicated to ancient Croatian tales have gained a special status in South-Eastern Europe. This has enabled him to found Perunfest – The Festival of Forgotten Fairy tales and Folktales. It is held near Zagreb in the Turopolje region, in an old castle of Lukavec. A Fairy Trail: Zdenko Bašić Is A Fae Folk Tale Collector For Modern Times | Bored Panda

Release date: May 9, 2022

Cyprus

2 stamps, FDC, cancel, 2 booklets of 8, 2 sheets of 8

Legend of Digenis Akritas & Secret Treasure of Regina

According to legend, Digenis Akritas, the legendary Byzantine hero, during the 7th – 10th century, in order to repel the Saracen Arabs, who were preparing to plunder the area, grabbed onto the mountain range of Kyrenia by his one hand as a result of which it took the shape and the name Pentadaktylos (meaning five fingers) and with his other hand lifted a huge rock (the Stone of Romios – Petra tou Romiou) and threw it into the sea against the Saracens who left fleeing. Europa 2022 – Stories and Myths (cypruspost.post)

Digenis Akritis: A Border Guard Transcending Borders | Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University  is an excellent article explores legend. 

Like many mythical women, Queen Regina’s story can be complex and contradictory. this article New sculpture in Latsi harbour depicts Queen Regina | Cyprus Mail (cyprus-mail.com) touches on this duality. This stamp looks at just one of the legends about her.  

Release date: May 6, 2022

North Cyprus

2 stamps, 2 sheets of 8, FDC, cancel

Karakiz & Pygmalion and Galatha

Karakiz dates to the early Ottoman Empire days:

In the early days of the Ottoman Empire, shepherds used to wander only during the day on the rock to the east of Kyrenia. No one would dare to go there at night, believing that this area is unlucky and a gathering place for jinn at night. A shepherd herding cattle here had a very beautiful daughter known s Karakiz. Karakiz’s favourite thing was to bathe in this bay. Young shepherds who visited the region fell in love with her because of her beauty. A rich shepherd’s son liked her and had his parents ask her father to give his daughter as a bride. Since Karakiz liked him, the wedding preparations started. On the day of her wedding, Karakiz got bored with the heat and the wedding dress she wore and the veil on her head, so she went down to the bay to take a bath and relax. After she took off her wedding dress on the shore, she went into the sea with her veil. Legend has it that there was an eye (whirlpool) at the bottom of the big rock in the bay that opened at certain times and closed after swallowing everything there. Just when Karakiz entered the sea, that eye opened and swallowed her; here body was never found. Only her veil was found near the shore, and it was given to the groom as a souvenir. From that day on, the rocky area there was called “Krakiz’s lair”, while the bay to the west of this area was named “Karakiz bay”. Northern Cyprus Post 2022 info sheet

Pygmalion and Galatha

A myth dating to Ancient Greek times.

The tale tells the story of  King Pygmalion of Cyprus. He fell in love with an ivory statue of a beautiful woman and became enamoured with it to such a degree, he treated it like it was a real woman. In despair over his unrequited love, Pygmalion prayed to the goddess of love, Aphrodite, asking her to intervene and bring him a woman as beautiful as his fantasy. Aphrodite heard his prayers and brought the statue to life.  Pygmalion named her Galatha , married her and made her his queen. 

There are variations on this story, and modern retakes that can be seen in plays and movies.

Designer: Görel Korol Sönmezer
Previous issues include 2015 Cats & Dogs, 2017 Dolphins, 2019 Cactus Flowers, 2021  EUROPA: Endangered Species, among dozens of designs for North Cyprus post.

Release date: May 9, 2022

Czech Republic

1 stamp, sheet of 6, FDC, cancel
multicolour offset

Libuše and Přemysl

Libuše, one of the three daughters of the Czech ruler Krok, was a legendary Czech princess and wife of Přemysl the Ploughman. She became famous as a prophetess who foretold the glory of the city of Prague, founded by her. Princess Libuše married Přemysl the Ploughman and together established the oldest Czech ruling dynasty of the Přemyslids Future issues – Česká pošta (ceskaposta.cz)

Release date: April 6, 2022

Denmark

3 stamps on a souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel
2 colour offset

The subterranean  of Bornholm

Bornholm folklore sometimes references “De Underjordiske”, a kind of people that live under the many ancient burial mounds that spot the landscape. Lars sometimes calls the people “subterraneans”, “pixies” or “underearthlings”. They’re known as a militant group, fiercely defending themselves, their homes in the mounds, and the island. But not an unthankful group either, rewarding humans for kindness or bravery.
HBM129: The Underearthlings — Here Be Monsters Podcast (hbmpodcast.com)

The link above has a 27 min podcast interview with Lars Christian Kofoed Rømer, an anthropologist who has done extensive research on the tales of the underground of Bornholm. The interview is in English. His 2018 PhD dissertation was Tales in an Underground Landscape: Anthropological Excursions in the Danish Island of Bornholm. 

This set uses papercut technique. 

Designer/papercut artist: Ane Cecilie Mogensen 

Release date: May 4, 2022

 Estonia 

2 stamps, 2 sheets of 8, FDC, cancel, info card 
offset

‘Tiritamme kasvatamine’ (‘Doing a headstand’) & ‘Siuru-lindu Kalevipojast’ (‘The Siuru bird from Kalevipoeg’)
 

Oskar Kallis, the artist behind the artwork on these stamps, was a member of the national romanticism movement in Estonia. The illustrations shown are part of his extensive work illustrating Kalevipoeg, an epic poem by Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald.  Kalevipoeg is considered a national poem.

Kalevipoeg is based on ancient oral legends explaining the origins of the world.  The tale is centred around Kalevipoeg (“Kalev’s son”) an heroic figure who uses his knowledge and strength to create Estonia. It’s a fascinating tale. 

You can read a version of the poem here The Kalevipoeg – Myths and Legends (mythpodcast.com). Like all translations, it won’t have the rich texture found in the original Estonian, but it’s still very readable. If you enjoy hearing myths from around the world, Myth Podcast is a good site to bookmark. 

Studies of Kalevipoeg (folklore.ee) is another good resource for Estonian folklore (including Kalevipoeg), especially if you are interested in a deeper dive into the tales. However, the contrast on the page makes it difficult to read for anyone with vision issues. I copied and pasted the article into Word and then used a translator to read the articles. the blue on blue is a visual nightmare, but the content is fascinating. Worth the effort to read.  

Artist: Oskar Kallis (1892 – 1918) 
Designer: Indrek Ilves

Release date: May 5, 2022 

F

Faroe Island

2 stamps in booklet format, cancel

• Svínoy – Island of pigs
• Mykines island

Svinoy is island on the NE corner of the Faroes. Legend has it, it was once a floating island, it would periodicaly come into view and then disappear in a cloud of fog. In the small village of Viðareiði, on the island of Viðoy a farmer owned a sow but no boar.  Despite the lack of any boar on the island, she would disappear for brief periods of time and then reappear, pregnant. Islanders were curious as to how she became pregnant so they created a plan to find out where the pig vanished. 

The next time the sow was seen wandering from the village, they tied keys to its tail and followed. They were surprised to see the pig run into the sea and begin to swim north east. Puzzled as to where she was going, They leapt into boats and followed her to the mysterious island that was drifting northward. The sow swam to the island, with the islanders hot on her tail. 

Once they found out the secret, they decided to anchor the island to the seabed and began to live there. The island was named Svinoy or Pig Island in honour of the swine who found her mate there. 

Mykines island tells the tale of risi, a prehistoric giant who lived on the islands. This is an interesting origin story on how the Faroe Islands were formed. The tale goes that a giant liked the islands, but found them too small to live on. He began pulling the smaller islands together, joining some of them up to form a larger mass and others, in a close proximity. The only version I have is bad translation and has gaps in the story. When I find a better translation, I’ll fill in the rest of the story.  

Designer: Anker Eli Petersen
Previous designs include the 2021 Anker Eli Petersen, 2004 The cruise on “Maria” 1854, 2003 Völuspá, 2001 Nordic myths and legends about light and darkness and 1998 Brynhild’s ballad. 

Release date: May 16, 2022

Finland

2 stamps, sheets of 10, FDC, cancel

Päivätär and Kuutar – The Daymaker and The Moon
Finnish goddesses of sun/light and moon/dark. They are portrayed as sisters who create the web of life and often depicted as weavers. 

“I drew The Daymaker and The Moon as young maidens who are timeless unnatural unnaturals of heavenly bodies outside of everyday conceptions and laws. They are metaphors for the beauty of nature and the power of the sun and moon. I wanted to have that same mystical power in the characters’ illustrations.” Europa Tarut ja myytit (posti.fi)

Designer: Emmi-Riikka Vartiainen  Emmi-Riikka Vartiainen • Art & Illustration (emmiriikka.com)
Vartianinen is a graduate of the Lahti Institute of Design. She describes her style, in a 2017 interview as a combination of traditional and digital: 

I switch between traditional and digital techniques. I sketch by hand, then ink and colour either with light table or digitally. I vectorize the final work if necessary. Lately I’ve enjoyed working with paints and markers rather than going digitally from start to finish. I like when the work has an organic and handmade look, slight imperfection has a charm to it. Emmi-Riikka Vartiainen – Napa Agency (napa-agency.fi)

Release date: April 27, 2022

France

1 stamp, cancel, sheets of 9
intaglio

The Mélusine

This is a fascinating folk tale that is explained in great detail here  Melusine – World History Encyclopedia. It’s a great read. But short version is Melusine was young woman cursed by her mother to live a double life. Every Saturday, she would turn into a serpent like or mermaid like creature every Saturday She was doomed to be alone until she found a man who would both respect her request to not disturb her on Saturdays and, would also love her unconditionally if he found out she was cursed. 

Cue her marriage to a great noble man, who one day spied on her, thus forcing her to leave. The story has a number of variations, but this is one of the most familiar. It’s basically an very old cautionary tale about truth, loyalty and lying. The legend pops up in many folk stories throughout Europe, including Germanic and Norse tales, like The Swan Maiden and the Valkyrie. Eastern European stories involving Baba Yaga, also use the transformation mythology to teach lessons. But check out the link above for a first class write up that touches on the Melusine’s influence across Europe. It’s an easy read and fascinating. 

Designer: Daria Schmitt  
Daria Schmitt will be signing covers from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6.
Engraver: Pierre Albuisson  

Release date: May 9, 2022

G

Georgia

2 stamps, 2 souvenir sheets, 2 sheets of 8

Medea flies to Jason & Legend of the establishment of Tbilisi

Medea

Medea was the daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchis and the granddaughter of the sun god Helios. According to the myth, Medea fell deeply in love with Jason and aided him on his quest to find the Golden Fleece. 

The kingdom of Colchis, where much of the story of Jason and Medea takes place, was located on the western Georgia coast, along the Black Sea. The Golden Fleece was guarded by Aeëtes and his family who considered it a prize possession. The king did everything in his power to protect the fleece, but was ultimately betrayed by his daughter, Medea, who helped Jason overcome all the obstacles Aeëtes put in place to prevent the Jason taking the fleece. 

  So with her brilliant aid Jason was able to avoid the traps laid for him by Aietes and to capture the Golden Fleece and escape.  Medea, to assist the escape, murdered her own brother, strewing the pieces of his body over the water so that her father’s pursuing fleet, collecting the fragments for burial, was delayed.  After an epically adventurous voyage, Medea and Jason settled in Jason’s hereditary kingdom of Iolcus where Pelias still denied him his rights to the throne.  Medea, again aiding Jason, persuaded the daughters of Pelias to attempt, under her guidance, a magic rejuvenation of their father – by killing him, cutting him to pieces, and with the aid of herbs and incantations, restoring him to youth.  The duped daughters, their father’s blood on their hands, forced the exile of Jason and Medea and their two children. The Legend (textstudyguides.com)

Eventually Jason and Medea settle in Corinth, where Jason promptly abandons Medea and their children. He marries the King of Corinth’s daughter, forsaking his first family. Predictably, this drives Medea mad and she plots revenge on Jason and his new bride. 

Medea pretends to be reconciled with Jason and sends poisoned garments as a gift for his new wife.  The princess puts on these robes and dies a painful death, for the poison makes the cloth stick to her body and her flesh is burned away.  Her father tries to help her and is killed by the poison also.
 
When Jason learns of this he rushes to Medea’s house to pro­tect his sons from the wrath of the citizens of Corinth.  Now Medea carries out the most horrible element of her plan.  She kills her two children, knowing that this, more than anything, will be a terrible blow to the hated Jason. Jason is indeed broken by this series of disasters, and Medea, although she loved her children dearly, is exultant at her triumph. Jason tries to get revenge, but Medea escapes to Athens in a magic chariot drawn by flying dragons. The Legend (textstudyguides.com)

Medea in Greek Mythology – Greek Legends and Myths
Jason and the Argonauts in Georgia: the Golden Fleece of Kutaisi. – Caucasian Challenge

Legend of the establishment of Tbilisi

Details coming

Artist: Lado Gudiashvili (1896-1980)
Lado Gudiashvili has an extensive and fascinating biography. It covers the massive changes in the art scene in Georgia throughout his life.  Lado Gudiashvili – 125 – National Archives of Georgia is another good source. 

Legend artist: B.Koblianidze

Release date: June 3, 2022

Germany

1 stamp, 2 cancels, sheet of 10, folder (includes 18 original stamps & covers)
offset

If you managed to get to EXPHIMO 2022, the 64th International Thematic Stamp Fair Bad Mondorf, Luxembourg you could have received this Trade Fair Receipt with a special cancel.

Three-headed dragon defends itself against the attacks of a dragon fighter

Germany opted or a generic motif rather than highlight a specific legend. They focused on a popular topic – dragons. 

One of the most common motifs here is the dragon as a mythical animal or the fight with him. The snake-like hybrid being with the characteristics of different animals is mostly a symbol of chaos or the embodiment of the devil. In the High Middle Ages, defeating the monster is one thing in the life course almost obligatory for literary heroes. Nowadays, the image of the purely evil dragon has changed. In particular modern children’s media, he no longer shows any negative characteristics. This can also be called “victory over the dragon” and thus as overcoming fear and terror. Stempel & Informationen AUSGABE 08–2022

Designer: Professor Henning Wagenbreth, Berlin

Release date: May 5, 2022

Gibraltar

2 stamps, 2 sheets of 6, 1 souvenir sheet of 2, 2 FDCs, cancel, 2 packs
offset lithography

Pillars of Hercules 

According to Strabo (3.5.5), Hercules raised the Pillars during one of his Twelve Labours to mark the western edge of the inhabited world. One pillar was identified as the Rock of Gibraltar (called Mount Calpe in ancient times), with the other was Ceuta (Mount Abile) on the African side of the narrow strait. The Pillars of Hercules – Ancient World Magazine

Legend of the Pillars of Hercules on Gibraltar (visit-andalucia.com)

The Odyssey Traveller has an excellent, brief, article on the history of the Pillars Gibralter straits – History Article for senior travellers – Odyssey Traveller
If you are interested in an archeological look at the origins of the Pillars, try (6) (PDF) THE PILLARS OF HERCULES – MYTH OR REALITY? | Anton Mifsud – Academia.edu. It’s a substantial paper (27 pages) written for the Prehistoric Society of Malta in 2017 by Anton Mifsud. 

Artwork: Leslie Gaduzo 
Some of the artwork Gaduzo provided incudes the 2016 Historic Gates , 2017 Military Heritage, 18th Island Games 2019, and the 2018 EUROPA – Bridges. 
Designer: Stephen Perera

Release date: February 25, 2022

Greece

2 stamps, 1 FDC, cancel, presentation packs

Orpheus 

Orpheus was a musician and poet who is called the “father of songs”.  Part of the Orpheus myth has him travelling with Jason and the Argonauts when they went in search of the Golden Fleece. During the voyage, when they encountered the Sirens, Orpheus played his lyre to drown out their seductive singing. As a result the Argo didn’t come to a grisly end.  

There are many more myths surrounding Orpheus and his travels, including a trip to the underworld in a failed attempt to rescue his wife, Eurydice. He mourned her death for the rest of his life.  He was eventually killed by the Maenads, followers of the god Dionysus, who was jealous of Orpheus’ devotion to Apollo.

The two stamps depict Orpheus’ death. In the first stamp, the Maenads are attacking Orpheus. In the second, Orpheus is defending himself, but still playing his lyre. According the mythology, his head was torn from his body and thrown in the water.  It continued singing as it was swept away. Eventually the head and lyre  washed up on the shore of the island of Lesbos, where the people built the Oracle of Orpheus to house his remains.

Even in his death, Orpheus continued to sing and prophesize the future. Eventually Apollo told the people of Lesbos to take all of Orpheus’ body parts and bury them under Mount Olympus. It was then that Orpheus was allowed to rest and able to join his beloved wife Eurydice in the Fields of the Blessed.

Orpheus • Facts and Information on the Greek Hero Orpheus (greekgodsandgoddesses.net)

Release date: May 12, 2022

Greenland

2 stamps, booklet of 12, 2 FDCs, 2 sheets of 10
offset  

The first stamp symbolizes the Inuit tales in the broadest sense… I drew two mask-like faces, which should represent, … our stories that re told and passed on. It is an open book from which the stories spring. The motif was created from an old history book with old spelling which inspired me ... 

The second stamp reflects a myth about the Children Between the Willow Bushes. After the earth came into being, people came. It tells that the little children came out of the earth. suddenly appearing among the willow bushes, full of the leaves. They were in between the bushes with closed eyes and kicked. The children then crawled around and ate from the willow branches and from the earth. this is a Inuit tale of the origin of man.” 
Aka Høegh, Greenland Collector Nr 3, August 2022

Designer: Aka Høegh
Greenland National Gallery of Art (natgal.gl)
This is Høegh’s 24th and 25th stamp. Among her stamps was the 2005 100th Anniversary of Church Law in Greenland and the 202080th Birthday of Queen Margrethe II series.
In 1974, her artwork was featured on the album cover for Sume: Inuit Nunaat and again in 1985 for the record Various: Nunavut Nukivut = Our Land Our Strength. One of her recent exhibitions was held at the Nuuk Art Museum in June 2021. 

Release date: August 31, 2022

Guernsey

6 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel, 6 sheets of 10 (available in Europa & non-Europa markings), presentation pack,  2 maxi cards, 2 postcards, 2 FD cancel postcards

 Guernsey Witches 
This set doesn’t deal with a specific story. It is a nod to a larger set of tales about Guernsey’s long association with witches throughout it’s history. 

Both black and white witches were said to practice in Guernsey, with white witches using their craft solely for the benefit of other people.  Black witches however were said to practice ritual witchcraft, holding assemblies and covens to summon demons and devils.

Many of the old house and cottages in the west of the island have a strange piece of granite extruding from the chimney; these are known as “witches seats” and are a place for these night-time flyers to stop and rest.

It is believed that over one hundred people were found guilty  of witchcraft in Guernsey in the 16th and 17th centuries.  the last witch trial in Guernsey took place in January 1914 when local women, Aimee Lake was charged with witchcraft.
Europa: Stories and Myths (Guernsey Witches) (guernseystamps.com)

On This Day in Guernsey has a brief writeup on the last witch trial which offers a bit of insight into the event Guernsey’s last witch trial takes place – On this day in Guernsey (history.gg)  and the ever reliable Guernsey Donkey has a write up on witches seats. 

Designer: Keith Robinson

 Release date: May 21, 2022

H to K

Hungary

2 stamps on souvenir sheet, FDC, cancel
offset

Legend of the White Horse

The tale of the white horse is one of the myths and legends about how the land of Hungary was acquired dating from the time the Magyar tribes settled in the Carpathian Basin. This was passed down by oral tradition for centuries until it was recorded in writing.
Several sources have survived about this story. The legend of the white horse was included by Anonymus in his historical work, but it is also mentioned in the Buda and Dubnica Chronicles. The most complete story is preserved in the Illuminated Chronicle, written at the end of the 13th century. 
18/2022 HUNGARIAN STAMPS

THERE AND BACK AGAIN: The legend of the White Horse (tabaaesoee.blogspot.com) 

Designer: Imre Benedek

Release date: May 2, 2022

Isle of Man

David Bowie 75th Anniversary of Birth – EUROPA Labyrinth 

8 stamps, 9 souvenir sheets of 8, 2 FDCs, cancel, presentation pack, album, prestige pack, booklet, booklet panes, stamp pack, (sheets also available)
offset

Although 8 stamps were issued in this set, ONLY the Labyrinth is Isle of Man’s 2022 EUROPA stamp.

• Final Portrait, 2016
• Everybody Loves Sunshine, 1999
• Labyrinth, 1986
• Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, 1983
• Baal, 1982
• The Elephant Man, 1980
• Just a Gigolo, 1978
• The Man Who Fell to Earth, 1976 

The Isle of Man Post Office chose Bowie’s Labyrinth movie portrayal for their Stories and Myths theme. It is the only part of this substantial set that has the EUROPA mark.  This was an odd choice for the EUROPA theme, given it doesn’t have any direct ties to Manx myths or tales. You can read about Bowie’s portrayal of Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth. 

Designer: Jonathan Barnbrook / ©The David Bowie Archive ®Under License to Perryscope Productions, LLC / Epic Rights, LLC 2022
 “Jonathan Barnbrook was a long-time collaborator with David Bowie. He designed all of his album releases from Heathen in 2002 to his final album ★ in 2016. He was also artistic adviser and part designer of the Victoria and Albert Museum exhibition David Bowie Is. Barnbrook received 2 Grammy nominations for his David Bowie covers, winning one of them for ★” David Bowie: Actor – Isle of Man Post Office (iompost.com)

Release date: September 12, 2022

Ireland

2 stamps 
more images coming when set released

Balor

Balor was the king of the supernatural beings called the Fomorians. This myth is focused on one aspect “Balor’s eye“. “Balor (also known as Balar) was the king of the Fomorians. Like the Cyclops, he had only one magical eye that was known as “the evil eye” and it was Balor’s greatest weapon. Only one glance from his eye could kill.” (From Giant Balor of the Evil Eye, see link below.)

There are a lot of good sources online to read up on Balor. Start with Balor – Ireland’s Lore and Tales (irelandsloreandtales.com) and Giant Balor Of The Evil Eye – Terrifying Fomorian King And Grandfather Of Celtic God Lugh – Ancient Pages.

Release date: September 1, 2022

Isle of Man

Italy

Jersey

6 stamps, souvenir sheet with 2 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel, sheets of 10, presentation packs 
4 colour lithography, UV light reactive

Ghost Stories

• The Vioge of Crack Ankle Lane
• The Woman in Black
• The Belenji**
• The Bells of Les Minquiers
• The Bride and Groom of Gorey Castle**
• The Soldiers of Vinchelez Lane

** Bells of les Minquiers and Bride and Groom of Gorey Castle are Jersey’s EUROPA entries. These stamps appear on the souvenir sheet.

Artist: Jensine Eckwall
New York artist Eckwall is primarily a book illustrator, ranging from children’s books to adult sci-fi and horror.

Release date: March 16, 2022

Kazakhstan

Kosovo

2 stamps, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, cancel
offset

Legend of Rozafës, The Old Man of the Garden & Elders of  April (lotët e plakës)

The Legend of Rozafës is an interesting story about 3 brothers who kept trying to build a castle and failed each time. Every day they worked hard but, when they went home at the end of the day, the castle would fall to the ground. Puzzled by why their work kept falling apart, they consulted a local known for his wisdom and asked for help. 

The old man told the brothers the site of their castle was inflicted with an evil force. The only way to exorcize the evil and ensure the castle would stand for centuries was to entomb someone in the castle walls. That person would act as the protector of the land and people. The wise man told the brothers one of their wives would have to be the sacrificed.

To make this fair, some rules were laid down to determine which wife would be killed. The brothers vowed to remain silent and not tell their wives about the promise. Whichever wife brought her husband lunch to the worksite, first would be the one who would be sacrificed. The most dutiful would be the one who would be the best protector.

Of course, the two older brothers acted treacherously and warned their wives. The youngest wife showed up and was the “chosen”. After much crying  nd grief, she agreed to be walled up alive, leaving her husband and newborn son behind. There was one condition thought – one breast, foot and arm would remain free so she could feed her baby and soothe him during the day.

I’m still researching the other two tales.   Many thanks to a reader who sent me a link re: the next two stamps and designers.

Gogomeli the scarecrow – the Old Man of the Garden

Even today, in the gardens and fields, the villagers place a human image: with a body, arms, legs, and head, dressed in clothes, more often with rags. The scarecrow known as Gogomeli was set up to have good crops, but also to scare away pests of crops. It is also called the Old Man of the Garden, the Old Woman of the Garden, the Bride of the Garden, the Face or Surrati of the Field, Coli (Picar) etc. Kosovo Post May 10, 2022 press release. 

Old Woman’s Tears – Elders of  April

This is an interesting cautionary tale that also explains natural events. The legend centres around an old woman takes her cattle to a sunny pasture to graze one warm spring day. She takes time to enjoy the warm sun, bidding goodbye to winter. Winter overheard her and became angry at the woman, presumably for favouring spring over winter and decided to make the woman pay for it. 

Winter borrowed a few bad, wintery days from February and sent the bad weather to freeze the old woman to her spot on the rock she was resting on. From then on, when warm weather thaws the ground, water springs up from around the rock that is shaped like the old woman. The spring is called the “old woman’s tears”.  

Designer: B.A., Sh.N, D.L.
FDC designer: H. Ademi
Cancel designer: Prishtine

Release date: May 9, 2022

Kyrgyzstan – KEP

1 stamp, sheets of 5, 2 FDCs, maxi-card, cancel
offset lithography

Legend of Bugu-Ene (Mother Deer)

The centuries-old culture of the Kyrgyz people is extraordinarily rich in various legends, stories and myths. One such beautiful, slightly sad and very instructive story is the legend of Bugu-Ene, the Mother Deer who saved two children (a boy and a girl) from death. She took them from the shores of the Siberian river Yenisei to the Issyk-Kul lake, where the grown children founded a new tribe called Bugu (“bugu” in Kyrgyz means “deer”) in honor of the Mother Deer. This was the beginning of the harmonious coexistence of Man and Nature, which, unfortunately, has been going through fire and water century after century, including modern times. 
KEP Newsletter #86, January 27, 2023

Artist: Ivanka Costru Home | Ivanka Costru Illustrations

Designer: Daria Maier 

Release date: January 30, 2023

 See the rest of the EUROPA stamps here: 

EUROPA 2022 Stories and Myths L – Z  

You can see last year’s here –  Europa 2021 Endangered Wildlife stamps | Bitter Grounds Magazine 

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