FEPA News

FEPA NEWS 45 10 News from FEPA THE FEPA CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION 2023 The following societies were awarded Certificates of Appreciation. Triestingtaler Briefmarkensammler Verein Hirtenberg, Hirtenberg, Austria The Triestingtaler Stamp Collectors Club, founded in 1967 and gathering 92 members, is one of Austria’s most active clubs. They host the “HIBRIA” event nearly every two years, featuring class 1 and 2 exhibitions, special themes, and philatelic competitions with dealers and foreign postal administrations. The club has also hosted the Austrian exhibition ÖVEBRIA twice with FEPA recognition. In 2023, ORF’s broadcasting coverage of their Stamp Collectors Day generated significant public interest and new memberships. The club’s success is further complemented by cultural and social events, including excursions and gatherings for members and friends. Klub filatelistu 04-01, Liberec, Czech Republic In recent years, the Philatelic Club 04-01 Liberec has significantly promoted Czech philately both domestically and internationally. Key achievements include organizing major exhibitions such as LIBEREC 2022 and LIBEREC 2019 and having members on the PRAGA 2018 board. Club members took a successfully part in FIP exhibitions and exhibited philatelic literature at FEPA shows. They contribute to philatelic literature, write for national magazines, and publish for professional societies. Members are involved in digitizing philatelic literature, serve as experts for the Union of Czech Philatelists, and offer free advice on stamp valuation. The club, founded in 1887, also organizes monthly regional stamp exchanges. Circolo Filatelico “Giacomo Puccini”, Viareggio (Lucca), Italy This society, established in 2007 by a small group of people very fond of stamps, postcards, coins, and other collectibles, is based in a town in Tuscany famous for its seaside resort but also as the home of the composer Giacomo Puccini. The society, currently with 80 members, has always been very active in promoting philately in the local community and the region, especially among young people and in schools. The society, currently with about 80 members, has linked philately to the town’s most important events, first and foremost Carnival, with philatelic exhibitions and other initiatives. Royal Tunbridge Wells Philatelic Society, Royal Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom The Royal Tunbridge Wells Philatelic Society, established in 1945, attracts members from various regions and holds daytime meetings twice monthly, except during July and August. Facing declining attendance in 2018, the society shifted to all daytime meetings in 2019. During the 2020 Covid pandemic, they successfully transitioned to Zoom meetings, maintaining participation levels. The society’s activities focus on sociable and inclusive philatelic meetings, including displays and an annual Stamp Fair in Crowborough. Future plans involve enhancing their website as a philatelic resource and potentially adding social-philatelic displays to attract a broader audience. THE FEPA CERTIFICATE FOR SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS 2023 Awarded to SINISHA PAVLESKI (North Macedonia) For his outstanding service to philately at the national and international level over 30 years.