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BHUTAN CELEBRATES NEW KING, FIRST DEMOCRATIC
ELECTIONSIN 2008 |
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As Told Through World's First Documentary CD-ROM Postage Stamp Issue with
Web Portal
January 4, 2008
This year will be a busy one for the Kingdom of Bhutan. The country, located between China's Tibetan plateaus and India's northern border, will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the monarchy, the coronation of a new king, and a conversion to democracy in a landmark year of first-time national elections.
In honor of these occasions, this Himalayan kingdom will release at least fourteen different stamps in 2008, including the world's first documentary CD-ROM stamp with web portal. The first issue, in mid-March, will total seven stamps: two CD-ROM stamps and one set of five paper stamps. Each CD-ROM stamp holds a mini-documentary (approximately 8 minutes) about Bhutan. The first documentary CD-ROM stamp with web portal will feature Bhutan’s five kings in celebrating 100 years of the royal Wangchuck monarchy, 1907 to 2007. The face value of the CD-ROM postage stamps will be 225NU, or about US$5.76.
"Bhutan remains committed to its many 'world's philatelic firsts' with the release of this commemorative series of CD-ROM stamps," said Frances Todd Stewart, president of Creative Products International (Pittsburgh, PA, USA), the agent for these computer-age postage stamps for Bhutan. "The CD-ROM stamps will bring Bhutan's famous 'talking stamps' into a new era, giving viewers a virtual visit to this unique country."
Each of the CD-ROM stamps will consist of a small, decorated, self-adhesive envelope with a mini (8 cm or 3.15 inch) CD-ROM inside. The first CD-ROM will feature Bhutan’s five kings. The background colors carry spiritual significance in Bhutanese Buddhist beliefs: yellow for earth, red for fire, green for wood, blue for water and white for iron and metal. The border of the colorful and vibrant stamps is a stylized version of the lotus flower.
Also in the March issue will be a second CD-ROM stamp with a documentary that will capture the sights and sounds of Bhutan's abundant natural environment. "Bhutan was green long before any of us had even heard the term," said Stewart. "This CD-ROM honors Bhutan's diverse ecology, and its forward-thinking leaders. "
All CD-ROMs released also will have a hyperlink (www.BhutanToday.net) connecting viewers to a regularly updated website on Bhutan, linking the past, present and future in a postage stamp.
In keeping with Bhutan’s commitment to tradition and innovation, the March issue will also include paper stamps depicting for the first time the five monarchs of Bhutan: these self-adhesive stamps consisting of five square stamps include the first photo of His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck wearing the Ravens Crown, which he will formally receive at his coronation in 2008. The stamp sheet also will have the "100 Years of Monarchy" commemorative logo. The five stamps are valued at 5NU, 10NU, 15NU, 20NU and 25NU, or about US$1.92 total.
Bhutan's second issue for 2008, expected in September, also will consist of seven stamps. Two additional CD-ROMs—the first documenting the coronation and the other featuring the country's move to a parliamentary democracy and its first elections - will be issued. Another set of paper stamps also will be released simultaneously.
Philatelic Information:
First Bhutan Documentary CD-ROM postage stamp issue with web portal
commemorates Bhutan's 100 years of Monarchy
Approximate Dates of issue: March 2008
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