The 2023 Greenland stamp program is a celebration of history and culture all tucked onto tiny little stamps. It’s difficult to explain, in words, how Greenland’s artists and designers beautifully capture the country, but, I’ll give it a try.
The new year bids goodbye to the inspired series Greenlandic Ghost Stories which began in 2020.
November 6, 2020- Aajumaaq the sleeved one & Eqqilllit, a dog-man hunter
September 17, 2021 – Qivittoq & Anngiaq,
May 31, 2022 Amu and Qarlimaatsoq – the death
Greenlandic Ghost Stories explored myths about the supernatural that are familiar to the people of Greenland. And they offered up some hair-raising artwork that helped capture the stories. 2023 sees the last 2 stamps arrive on February 27, 2023. A great way start to the new season… as well as a kick start to our blood pressure. I’ll be sad to see it go because it was so fun to explore the tales. It did, however, make me realise how little I could find regarding Greenland’s cultural history. So, in a way, each year Greenland’s post office helped me discover so much about the country. If you’d like to read a bit more on this series check out I’m here for the scares! | Bitter Grounds Magazine.
Three other series remain, Street Art, Tattoo Art in Greenland and Movie Posters . They, like the Ghost Stories, offer a small window into Greenlandic culture and rich history. Of the three, the Tattoo Art has been the most evocative and I was thrilled to see it’s return for a second year. The series premiered in 2022 with Paninnguaq Lind Jensen’s artwork. This year we are honoured with Maya Sialuk Jacobsen’s contribution. Jacobsen, a teacher, lecturer and traditional Inuit tattoo artist, brings a breadth of knowledge about this unique form of art that has been a joy to explore.
There are a few new topics appearing, as well as a couple old friends (SEPAC and EUROPA) to enjoy. If you’d like to receive notification when this page (and the website as a whole) is updated, sign up for my free weekly newsletter. It arrives in your mailbox late Sunday night or early Monday morning, depending on where you live. You will get all links to recent updated programs, new articles and special, subscriber only content.
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As the year progresses, I’ll be adding bits ‘n pieces I’ve gathered about the artists. I debated about putting all the details in now, but thought, why not save a few fascinating bits for later in the year.
Cheers
Catpaw
February
School Savings Coupons
4th in series
2 stamps, 3 FDCs, cancel, 2 sheets of 10
offset
Using Alex Secher’s (1913-1989) 1957 artwork. Alex_Secher (piaper.dk)
Hvalsey Church Ruin Hvalsey Church Ruin – [Visit Greenland!]
Built in the early 1300s.
Mt. Thule
Designer: Nina Spore Kreutzmann
Previous stamps Christmas 1994, Legends and Myths 2004 Mushrooms in 2005-2006, and 1957 School Saving Stamps 2021
Release date: February 27, 2023
Greenlandic Ghost Stories
2 stamps, 3 FDCs, cancel, sheets of 10
offset
Last in the series. All the images and tales are from the Bestarium Greenlandica.
Equngasoq – The Crooked Mouth
Equngasoq is a very capable helpful spirit who can tell the angakkoq (shaman) about future events and can guide him to the land of the dead. It has a large, crooked mouth, which is placed across the face. It can become very irate when asked about its mouth. The spirit dwells on the outermost reefs which it only leaves when the waves swell. It is practical to summon if you get into difficulties during a storm. When summoned, it appears in a shower of sparks. Pertti Frandsen p. 6, Greenland Collector Vol. 1 Feb. 2023
Sermilissuaq – The Ice-covered Bear
Sermilissuaq is a giant polar bear that is formed by the large icebergs and is completely overgrown with icicles. It is extremely dangerous for humans, as it feeds on human flesh. It emerges wandering, from either the water when the ice melts, or from recesses in the fells when the sun comes out. Its breath is so heavy that it can envelop an entire landscape in fog. Pertti Frandsen p. 6, Greenland Collector Vol. 1 Feb. 2023
Designers: Martin Brandt Hansen and Ágúst Kristinsson
This is Brandt Hansen’s second stamp design for Greenland.
Kristinsson was one of the illustrators on the Bestiarium Greenlandica: A compendium of the mythical creatures, spirits, and strange beings of Greenland. This is his first stamp design.
Release date: February 27, 2023
Greenlandic Movies Posters
last in series
2 stamps, 3 FDCs, cancel, 2 sheets of 10
offset
Hinnarik Sinnattunilu (2009) (Henrik and the dreams)
Qaqqat Alanngui (2011) (Shadows in the mountains)
Reproduction of Movie Poster
Release date: February 27, 2023
April
75 Years of the Greenlandic Women’s Suffrage
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheet of 10
offset
Celebrates the 75th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote and stand for election
Designers: Ivínguak’ Stork Høegh
Previous stamps for Greenland 2021 World Oceans Day, 2018 scented Christmas,
Nuuk based artist Ivínguak specialises in digital photography collages to create unique artworks
Artist and graphic designer Ivínguak’ Stork Høegh’s work combines eclectic elements of street art, pop culture, found imagery and a bold graphic sensibility, bringing vivid prismatic colour and Kalaallit stories to her vibrant collage work. Part of a family of artists, musicians, and cultural leaders spread across Kalaallit Nunaat and Denmark, Høegh was trained at the Aarhus Kunstakademi, Denmark as a graphic and media artist. Ivínguak’ Stork Høegh | Northern Arts Summit (arcticartssummit.ca)
Release date: April 15, 2023
May
Tattoo Art in Greenland
2 stamps, Souvenir sheet, 2 sheets of 10, 4 FDCs, cancel
offset
Designer: Maya Sialuk Jacobsen
Jacobsen is a traditional Inuit tattoo artist. After 20 years spent as a teacher, lecturer and tattooist, she formed Tattoo Traditions, a project that explores and research traditional Inuit tattoos. Maya Sialuk Jacobsen – Humanity in Action
Ms. Sialuk Jacobsen uses historical documents, artifacts and the Qilakitsoq mummies — several of which are now on display at the Greenland National Museum — to research traditional Inuit tattoo designs. Then she hand pokes or stitches the patterns onto the faces and bodies of Inuit women, and occasionally men, helping them connect with their ancestors and reclaim a part of their culture.
Inked Mummies, Linking Tattoo Artists With Their Ancestors – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Release date: May 30, 2023
SEPAC – Traditional Markets
1 stamp, sheets of 10, FDC, cancel
offset
In Greenland, there is a traditional market in every town and village. In Greenlandic it is called Kalaaliaraq, which translated means ‘the little Greenlander’. Kalaaliaraq is the place where hunters and fishermen have the opportunity to sell their fresh meat and fish. Tusass Greenland May 2023 Newsletter
Although this article is about traditional markets n Nunavut, Canada, it talks about Greenland’s Kalaaliaraq and how it could influence Nunavut’s markets & decolonize Inuit cuisine.
Is there room in Nunavut’s sharing economy to sell traditional food? This Iqaluit chef thinks so | CBC News
Designer: Bolatta Silis-Høegh
Release date: May 30, 2023
EUROPA 2023: ‘Peace – the highest form of humanity’
2 stamps, Stamp Booklet, 2 sheets of 10), 3 FDCs, cancel
offset
One of the motifs is a shared one used by all participating postal service.
Designers:
Stamp one: Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir, A Designers’ Collective
Luxembourg artists Bos and Egilsdottir’s design is influenced by the traditional Celtic Love Knot. Their artwork will be featured on all participating EUROPA entries for 2023.
Stamp two: Martin Brandt Hansen
Greenlandic born artist Martin Brandt Hansen was picked to create this year’s EUROPA stamp for Tusass Greenland.
Release date: May 30, 2023
July
Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island’s 250th Anniversary
1 stamp, sheets of 10, FDC, cancel
offset
Qeqertarsuaq is a small port town founded in 1773. There is evidence of human habitation going back 6,000 years.
Designer: Georg ‘Kiiu’ Olsen
Release date: July 10, 2023
August
Everyday Heroes
new series
2 stamps, 3 FDCs, cancel, 2 sheets of 10
offset
Alfred Olsen
Alfred was the first Greenlander to become a member of the legendary military unit Sirius Patrol, then of 12 men and 80 sled dogs. Sirius enforces the Kingdom of Denmark to this day sovereignty in the 972,000 km2 north-east Greenland national park. “My father, Wilhelm Olsen, was one of the first Greenlandic policemen and worked for several years in Sisimiut. This is where I grew up and already got my first dog bowl as a small child on five dogs”, says Alfred Olsen.
Greenland Collector Nr. 3, 2023 p. 4
Bodil Davidsen
For more than 20 years, Bodil Davidsen from Ilulissat has fought actively and provided a great deal of voluntary work for the underprivileged. Throughout its many years as a volunteer in Ilulissat, she has shown a huge amount commitment. She is a zealot whose work has been accomplished beyond all of Greenland. Bodil himself says: “The Red Cross has thrift stores in a number of towns here in Greenland. We receive things and cases from people, who have something in excess that they would like to get rid of. And we sell that very cheaply. Personally think I, it is terrible to throw away some usable ones things out and that is what the Red Cross also stands for for. What can be recycled must be recycled. We have an annual summer camp. And then we distribute each years leading up to Christmas, Christmas help for needy families”.
Greenland Collector Nr. 3, 2023 p. 4
Designer: Lisbeth Karline
Interview with Lisbeth Karline | Nukiga (nukigacommunity.com)
This is Karline’s 13th stamp set for Greenland. Previous designs include Christmas 2014, and Abandoned Trade Stations 2019
Release date: August 28, 2023
Street Art in Greenland
2 stamps, 2 FDCs, cancel 2 sheets of 10
offset
Designer/Artist: Miki Jacobsen
Miki Jacobsen (b. 1965) – Nuuk Kunstmuseum // Nuuk Art Museum
Jacobsen first designed a stamp for Greenland in 1992. This Street Art set are his 32nd and 33rd stamps.
Release date: August 28, 2023
Greenlandic Patients’ Home
Additional value stamp
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, booklet
offset
“I was born in Greenland and raised in Denmark, which has made me yearn for it my Greenlandic roots. I use my growing knowledge about Greenland and Greenlandic culture in mine personal pieces and I have realized that I can give back to my native land; through telling new (as well as old) stories in characters and illustrations. In this way, I strive to improve myself as an artist and visual developer.”
Greenland Collector Nr. 3, 2023 p.6
Designer: Coco Apunnguaq Lynge
She was one of the illustrators for Maria Bach Kreutzmann’ Mythical Monsters of Greenland and Bestiarium Greenlandica. Lynge is both an illustrator and author.
Release date: August 28, 2023
ESA-astronaut Andreas Mogensen to ISS (Joint issue)
joint issue with Posta Faroe Island and PostNord Denmark
1 stamp on miniature sheet, FDC, souvenir folder
offset
Designer: Anker Eli Petersen
Release date: August 28, 2023
October
UN International Day of Migratory Birds
1 stamp, FDC, cancel, sheets of 10
offset
Designer: Ivalo Abelsen
Abelsen is a a teacher and artist who illustrated the 2014 Hunters series and the 2011 Kimik series.
Release date: October 10, 2023
HRH Prince Christian 18th Birthday
1 stamp, souvenir sheet, 2 FDCs, sheets of 10, souvenir folder
offset
Photographer: Franne Voigt
Franne Voigt
Release date: October 10, 2023
November
Definitive Series, Greenland Coat of Arms 2023
2 stamps
combination
Designer: Bertil Skov Jørgensen
Release date: November 10, 2023
Greenland’s weapons
new series
Offset
Designer: Bertil Skov Jørgese
Bertil Skov Jørgensen (under construction)
Release date: November 10, 2023
Christmas
2 stamps
Designer: Kristine Spore Kreutzmann
Release date: November 10, 2023
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