It has been an exciting, diverse and turbulent year in philately terms, filled with validations, exhibitions and other philatelic events. The year 2023 was marked by both good and not so good moments, which we will celebrate a little later.1. General philatelic information about the postal issues for 2023
The Thematic Plan for 2023 was implemented 100%, and at the beginning of the year 5 issues from the Thematic Plan for 2022 were validated. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Society (BPS) validated 45 postal issues. They included the following:
- 28 individual stamps;
- 3 stamps with a vignette;
- 10 stamps in a block;
- 24 block sheets;
- 3 illustrated postal envelopes;
- 3 illustrated postal cards;
- 13 first-day covers;
- 3 booklets.
By subject, we can divide the issues as follows:
- 31 postal issues related to anniversaries - 69%
- 14 postal issues related to various topics outside of anniversaries (flora, fauna, Europe, transport, Christmas, etc.) - 31%
The Thematic Plan for 2023 was implemented 100%, and at the beginning of the year 5 issues from the Thematic Plan for 2022 were validated. The Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Society (BPS) validated 45 postal issues. They included the following:
- 28 individual stamps;
- 3 stamps with a vignette;
- 10 stamps in a block;
- 24 block sheets;
- 3 illustrated postal envelopes;
- 3 illustrated postal cards;
- 13 first-day covers;
- 3 booklets.
By subject, we can divide the issues as follows:
- 31 postal issues related to anniversaries - 69%
- 14 postal issues related to various topics outside of anniversaries (flora, fauna, Europe, transport, Christmas, etc.) - 31%
2. Artistic design of the postal issues for 2023
Since I am not an artist, I cannot give much of an assessment of the artistic design of the issues. This year, unlike the previous ones, there is a lack of very dark issues (except perhaps "150 years since the hanging of Vasil Levski"), which pleases the eyes of philatelists. Some colleagues see the hand of poster artists in some of the issues, but honestly, I like most of their creations. But let's not forget that each stamp carries its own individuality and that of the artist! However, the poor preparation and knowledge of a small part of the artists makes a strong impression. We can clearly see this in the preparation of the postal issues "150 years since the birth of Boris Drangov" and "75 years since the beginning of artillery education in Bulgaria". In one case, Colonel Drangov was demoted to lieutenant colonel, and in the other, the wrong cannon was drawn. Unfortunately, all of this goes into the artist's "Artistic Interpretation" column, even though it is factually incorrect.
3. Ministry of Transport and Communications and Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance
During the past year 2023, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and in particular the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance successfully implemented the Thematic Plan for the year. The Thematic Plan for 2024 was prepared on time, which includes 19 postal issues, but as everyone knows, they will increase this year. A draft amendment and supplement to Regulation No. 1 of 2006 on the conditions and procedure for issuing and putting into use postage stamps, postal products and special postage stamps and for withdrawing from use of postage stamps was prepared and published for public discussion. The slow work on the proposals made by citizens and organizations, whose motives for acceptance or rejection have not been published for a month, is impressive.
In 2023, two meetings of philatelists with members of the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance were held, the first in the city of Pleven and the second in the city of Dobrich. Problems in stamp issuance were discussed. Unfortunately, the members of the council did not pay enough attention to philatelists and a solution to pressing problems was not achieved.
During the past year 2023, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and in particular the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance successfully implemented the Thematic Plan for the year. The Thematic Plan for 2024 was prepared on time, which includes 19 postal issues, but as everyone knows, they will increase this year. A draft amendment and supplement to Regulation No. 1 of 2006 on the conditions and procedure for issuing and putting into use postage stamps, postal products and special postage stamps and for withdrawing from use of postage stamps was prepared and published for public discussion. The slow work on the proposals made by citizens and organizations, whose motives for acceptance or rejection have not been published for a month, is impressive.
In 2023, two meetings of philatelists with members of the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance were held, the first in the city of Pleven and the second in the city of Dobrich. Problems in stamp issuance were discussed. Unfortunately, the members of the council did not pay enough attention to philatelists and a solution to pressing problems was not achieved.
4. Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Joint Stock Company (BPS)
Bulgarian Posts and in particular Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Joint Stock Company (BPS) following the relevant orders of the Minister of Transport successfully printed and validated 45 issues of postal issues in 2023. Two philatelic shops were closed in the city of Pleven and the city of Stara Zagora, respectively, and were replaced with philatelic counters. Unfortunately, due to low motivation, organizational and staff changes, and the physical relocation of BPS to another location, 2024 will be difficult and fraught with many challenges, which will inevitably reflect on the work with citizens and philatelists. Of course, there are extremely good examples of managers in Bulgarian Posts who are ready to help develop philately. A fresh and vivid example of this is Eng. Svetoslav Gochev - director of the Bulgarian Posts division in Dobrich.
Bulgarian Posts and in particular Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics Joint Stock Company (BPS) following the relevant orders of the Minister of Transport successfully printed and validated 45 issues of postal issues in 2023. Two philatelic shops were closed in the city of Pleven and the city of Stara Zagora, respectively, and were replaced with philatelic counters. Unfortunately, due to low motivation, organizational and staff changes, and the physical relocation of BPS to another location, 2024 will be difficult and fraught with many challenges, which will inevitably reflect on the work with citizens and philatelists. Of course, there are extremely good examples of managers in Bulgarian Posts who are ready to help develop philately. A fresh and vivid example of this is Eng. Svetoslav Gochev - director of the Bulgarian Posts division in Dobrich.
5. Union of Bulgarian Philatelists
In 2023, members of the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists participated in three international exhibitions:
- "Ibra" in Essen, Germany - from May 25 to 28, 2023;
- "Balkanfila" in Belgrade, Serbia - from October 12 to 14, 2023;
- "Ankara 2023" in Ankara, Turkey - from October 27 to 30, 2023.
In 2023, on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists, together with Bulgarian Posts, organized three philatelic exhibitions:
- "Plevenfila 2023" - Pleven - from June 16 to 17, 2023;
- "Dobrich Filex 2023" - Dobrich - from October 20 to 26, 2023;
- "Christmas Plovdiv 2023" - Plovdiv - from December 1 to 2, 2023.
During the philatelic exhibitions, the Bulgarian Philatelic Society emphasized working with children and adolescents, which is extremely evident in the organized events in the cities of Dobrich and Plovdiv. Thanks to the members of the Philatelic Society "Dobrudzha" headed by Eng. Dimitar Chernev and the organized events by the division of "Bulgarian Posts" in Dobrich, hundreds of children from the city were introduced to the magic of the postage stamp. Unfortunately, such events are organized extremely rarely.
In 2023, members of the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists participated in three international exhibitions:
- "Ibra" in Essen, Germany - from May 25 to 28, 2023;
- "Balkanfila" in Belgrade, Serbia - from October 12 to 14, 2023;
- "Ankara 2023" in Ankara, Turkey - from October 27 to 30, 2023.
In 2023, on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Union of Bulgarian Philatelists, together with Bulgarian Posts, organized three philatelic exhibitions:
- "Plevenfila 2023" - Pleven - from June 16 to 17, 2023;
- "Dobrich Filex 2023" - Dobrich - from October 20 to 26, 2023;
- "Christmas Plovdiv 2023" - Plovdiv - from December 1 to 2, 2023.
During the philatelic exhibitions, the Bulgarian Philatelic Society emphasized working with children and adolescents, which is extremely evident in the organized events in the cities of Dobrich and Plovdiv. Thanks to the members of the Philatelic Society "Dobrudzha" headed by Eng. Dimitar Chernev and the organized events by the division of "Bulgarian Posts" in Dobrich, hundreds of children from the city were introduced to the magic of the postage stamp. Unfortunately, such events are organized extremely rarely.
6. Summary of correspondence with institutions regarding philatelic activity in Bulgaria in 2023
In 2023, as a citizen, I carried out continuous communication with state institutions responsible for philatelic activity in the Republic of Bulgaria. Here are some statistics:
- 6 inquiries under the Access to Public Information Act (4 to Bulgarian Posts and 2 to the Ministry of Transport and Communications);
- 2 inquiries to committees (1 to the Consumer Protection Commission and 1 to the Communications Regulation Commission).
- 4 complaints (1 to Bulgarian Posts, 1 to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, 1 to the Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers and 1 to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria).
- proposals for amendments and supplements to regulatory acts related to the stamp issuance activity of the Republic of Bulgaria published on the Portal for Public Consultations to the Council of Ministers.
The results of most inquiries, complaints, and suggestions are reflected in publications on the site, especially those that should solve real problems in branding.
In 2023, as a citizen, I carried out continuous communication with state institutions responsible for philatelic activity in the Republic of Bulgaria. Here are some statistics:
- 6 inquiries under the Access to Public Information Act (4 to Bulgarian Posts and 2 to the Ministry of Transport and Communications);
- 2 inquiries to committees (1 to the Consumer Protection Commission and 1 to the Communications Regulation Commission).
- 4 complaints (1 to Bulgarian Posts, 1 to the Ministry of Transport and Communications, 1 to the Inspectorate of the Council of Ministers and 1 to the President of the Republic of Bulgaria).
- proposals for amendments and supplements to regulatory acts related to the stamp issuance activity of the Republic of Bulgaria published on the Portal for Public Consultations to the Council of Ministers.
The results of most inquiries, complaints, and suggestions are reflected in publications on the site, especially those that should solve real problems in branding.
7. Conclusions and recommendations for 2024.
I am not a super expert in stamp issuing and philately, but here I will write what my views on development are. I have expressed some of them before, but now I will summarize them.
7.1. Regarding the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance. In general, the council copes well with the tasks assigned to it by law. There are of course gaps that are caused by ignorance or non-compliance with the regulations by the members. I hope that the changes I proposed in the Stamp Issuance Regulation will be approved and adopted, and that the members of the council will strictly be guided by the prescribed documents. The topics that are chosen thematically are also problematic in a certain sense, in my opinion. As seen above, nearly 70% of the issues are for anniversaries. Of these, about 70% are anniversaries of Bulgarian personalities. There is nothing wrong with this, if we do not count the fact that these publications have no demand outside Bulgaria, which in this case generates lost profits for the BFS. What solution can be proposed? One option is to leave the same amount of publications for Bulgarian personalities, but to also issue the same percentage of publications for world-famous personalities. The second option is to reduce some at the expense of others.
7.2. Joint Stock Company “Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics” (BFS). Both the council and the BFS are generally coping with their obligations under the law and other regulatory acts. Unfortunately, they closed two of the five philatelic shops, which we can attribute to the poor financial condition of the Bulgarian Post Office as a whole. The bad thing in this case is that the shops have been replaced by philatelic counters, where the employees do not care at all about philately and are not trained in handling philatelic products. The online store for selling postal publications has not yet been created. In this I see the long arm of the traders, who will generate losses when starting such a store. The lack of foresight and sensitivity to the philatelist consumer, firstly leads to losses for the BFS and secondly harms the philatelists. There are still rumors that poorly motivated employees are taking samples from the BFS printing house. Hopefully this is not true and will remain a bad practice in previous years, for which there is clear evidence.
7.3. Union of Bulgarian Philatelists. Unfortunately, the SBF is not what it used to be. There are many factors for this, from the loss of philatelists at the local and international level, to the strong mercantilism in the hobby, to the lack of desire for development on the part of the leaders and members. Perhaps one thing leads to another. The lack of work with children and adolescents in presenting this wonderful hobby leads to the lack of future philatelists. A change was noticed in the last months of 2023 in the exhibitions held in the city of Plovdiv and especially in the city of Dobrich. There, in addition to the validations and the exhibition part, there was a strong emphasis on working with children. The talks given to children by Georgi Dechev, Georgi Mandev and Nikolay Penev and engineer Dimitar Chernev in the city of Dobrich are a wonderful initiative in favor of the philatelic hobby.
7.4. Artists and artistic design. I will not give a damn about the artists, for the simple reason that I do not understand anything about their work. The only thing I will do is ask them to create good philatelic products that will be a good competition to the international ones. The other thing I will ask them to do is to respect the facts. It is true that there may be artistic interpretation of things somewhere, but there are also moments that are not subject to interpretation.
7.1. Regarding the Specialized Expert Council on Stamp Issuance. In general, the council copes well with the tasks assigned to it by law. There are of course gaps that are caused by ignorance or non-compliance with the regulations by the members. I hope that the changes I proposed in the Stamp Issuance Regulation will be approved and adopted, and that the members of the council will strictly be guided by the prescribed documents. The topics that are chosen thematically are also problematic in a certain sense, in my opinion. As seen above, nearly 70% of the issues are for anniversaries. Of these, about 70% are anniversaries of Bulgarian personalities. There is nothing wrong with this, if we do not count the fact that these publications have no demand outside Bulgaria, which in this case generates lost profits for the BFS. What solution can be proposed? One option is to leave the same amount of publications for Bulgarian personalities, but to also issue the same percentage of publications for world-famous personalities. The second option is to reduce some at the expense of others.
7.2. Joint Stock Company “Bulgarian Philately and Numismatics” (BFS). Both the council and the BFS are generally coping with their obligations under the law and other regulatory acts. Unfortunately, they closed two of the five philatelic shops, which we can attribute to the poor financial condition of the Bulgarian Post Office as a whole. The bad thing in this case is that the shops have been replaced by philatelic counters, where the employees do not care at all about philately and are not trained in handling philatelic products. The online store for selling postal publications has not yet been created. In this I see the long arm of the traders, who will generate losses when starting such a store. The lack of foresight and sensitivity to the philatelist consumer, firstly leads to losses for the BFS and secondly harms the philatelists. There are still rumors that poorly motivated employees are taking samples from the BFS printing house. Hopefully this is not true and will remain a bad practice in previous years, for which there is clear evidence.
7.3. Union of Bulgarian Philatelists. Unfortunately, the SBF is not what it used to be. There are many factors for this, from the loss of philatelists at the local and international level, to the strong mercantilism in the hobby, to the lack of desire for development on the part of the leaders and members. Perhaps one thing leads to another. The lack of work with children and adolescents in presenting this wonderful hobby leads to the lack of future philatelists. A change was noticed in the last months of 2023 in the exhibitions held in the city of Plovdiv and especially in the city of Dobrich. There, in addition to the validations and the exhibition part, there was a strong emphasis on working with children. The talks given to children by Georgi Dechev, Georgi Mandev and Nikolay Penev and engineer Dimitar Chernev in the city of Dobrich are a wonderful initiative in favor of the philatelic hobby.
7.4. Artists and artistic design. I will not give a damn about the artists, for the simple reason that I do not understand anything about their work. The only thing I will do is ask them to create good philatelic products that will be a good competition to the international ones. The other thing I will ask them to do is to respect the facts. It is true that there may be artistic interpretation of things somewhere, but there are also moments that are not subject to interpretation.
There's probably something missing in the review, but I apologize in advance for that. It's not intentional :)
And as they say - with Philatelic greetings!
Mihail Petrov
Mihail Petrov