Bulgarian Posts mark the 70th anniversary of the emblematic EUROPA philatelic series with an issue that impresses with its modern vision, conceptual depth and respect for European cultural tradition. The 2026 theme – “United in…” – is interpreted through a vivid visual language that highlights the ideas of community, continuity and cultural unity among the European nations. Artist Damyan Damyanov creates a composition in which tradition and modernity intertwine to tell the story of European philately through the prism of time.
The central motif is a series of clock towers – symbols of European urban culture, of the shared historical rhythm and of the time lived by all nations together. From left to right, the silhouettes represent the towers of Tallinn, Bern, Bansko, Prague, Stockholm, Brussels and Luxembourg – cities with strong architectural and cultural identities. In the composition they become part of a unified visual narrative, emphasizing the idea of European unity. The illustrated envelope accompanying the issue expands the theme by depicting a detail of a clock mechanism – a metaphor for precision, synchrony and the interdependence of all elements within the European community.
The anniversary issue was validated on 30 April 2026 at the Palace of Culture in Pernik. It includes several types of philatelic products, among them a miniature sheet containing three stamps of each denomination and two decorative tabs, printed digitally in a run of 4,700 copies. The stamps have denominations of €0.80 and €1.65, size 50×25 mm, and comb perforation, with a print run of 14,100 copies for each denomination. The second type is a souvenir sheet with two stamps, also with denominations of €0.80 and €1.65, frame perforation and a print run of 4,700 copies. The third product is a booklet containing two miniature sheets, each with four stamps of both denominations, size 44×20 mm, vertical line perforation and a total print run of 2,250 booklets (9,000 stamps of each denomination). The issue also includes an illustrated postal envelope with an original postal service value sign (€0.50) and a limited print run of 476 copies, as well as a special postmark used during the “Balkanphila 2026” exhibition in Pernik.
With its vibrant colours, modern graphic style and strong symbolism, EUROPA 2026 is an issue that not only commemorates a significant anniversary but also tells a story – about time, community and European identity. It is a stamp that will take a worthy place in philatelic collections and will remain one of the most distinguished Bulgarian contributions to the EUROPA series in recent decades.
