Christmas stamp by Aland Post

"I frequently recur to nature", says Helene Schmitz, the photographer behind this year's Christmas stamp depicting a hyacinth. She is universally recognized for her close-up pictures of flowers.
The Stamp Committee of Åland Post caught sight of Helene when she had her flower portraits on exhibition at the Åland Museum a few years back. Having decided upon the 2011 Christmas stamp theme, the Committee contacted Helene who accepted the commission. "Typical Christmas colours are not my favourite colours, so I was pleased when I realized that I was asked to shoot a white hyacinth".

The hyacinth was photographed in the autumn of 2010 and the stamp now appears, one year later. A beautiful close-up photo of a white hyacinth illustrates the FDC, and the first day cancel is designed as a hyacinth flower.

International Year of Forests - stamps by UNPA

The United Nations Postal Administration has issued three mini-sheets of eight stamps to commemorate the International Year of Forests.
Designated by the United Nations General Assembly, 2011 is the International Year of Forests. During this Year, everyone from Governments and the United Nations system, to major groups and other forest-related organizations are coming together to raise awareness on strengthening the sustainable management, conservation and development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations.
United Nations Secretary-General BAN Ki-moon said, "By declaring 2011 as the International Year of Forests, the United Nations General Assembly has created an important platform to educate the global community about the great value of forests - and the extreme social, economic and environmental costs of losing them".

Subway of Algiers postage stamps

The Algerian Post has released a set of two stamps dedicated to the construction of subway in Algiers.
All studies of urban transport in the city of Algiers conducted since 1970, led to the recommendation of the development of a subway for traffic rehabilitation. The subway will deal with the population explosion and the need for public transportation responding the requirements of comfort and security, and providing regular transport availability. It will also save space for communities and reduce environmental damage (air pollution and noise).
Design studies and engineering of the Algiers metro, completed in 1982 defined a subway scheme consisting of three lines totaling 56 km of line and 54 stations. Line 1 from the first stage of the Algiers metro will contain 10 stations (including 9 underground) of 9.5 km. 14 modern and comfortable trains are planned for the operation on the first metro line. Each such train with a length of 108.5 m can carry 1234 people and reaches the top speed of 70 km/h. A stretch of 4 km between "Bachdjarah" and "El Harrach", consisting of four stations would be commissioned in winter 2012, two extensions of Line 1 are planned for 2012 and 2013.

Christmas 2011 stamp from Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Post is issuing a stamp celebrating the coming Christmas 2011. The Christmas 2011 stamp shows a happy family seated around a table and eating biscuits. Christmas decorations, including a tree, garlands, and golden stars, emphasize the festive side and magic of the moment.
The stamp was created by Luxembourg artist Muriel Moritz, illustrator of children's books, school books, and exhibitor. Muriel Moritz runs workshops for children at the Academie d'ete de Luxembourg (CEPA) and at Kulturhuef Grevenmacher.

Sheep stamps from Algeria

The Algerian Post has issued a set of two stamps illustrating the widespread breeds of sheep in Algeria: Ouled-Djellal and Hamra.
The "Ouled-Djellal" sheep composes the largest ethnic group of Algerian sheep, occupying most of the country with the exception of some areas in the southwest and southeast. This is the true sheep of the steppe, the most suitable to nomadism. This is an all-white sheep. Wool covers the entire body to the knees and hocks, his head is white with spiral horns. Their long and strong legs support walking for long distances. This is a breed resistant to arid zones; it uses very different highland pastures of the steppe and rangeland of Sahara.
The "Hamra" breed is a dark-skinned animal with black mucous membrane. Its head and legs are brown red, almost black. The wool is white with brown red. The sheep has medium spiral horns. The range of this race is located in the southwest, it is found also in the foothills of the Saharan Atlas. It is considered the best beef breed in Algeria because of the delicacy of its meat and the roundness of its lines. This is a breed highly resistant to cold and icy winds from the steppes of Oran.