ASTANA – The nation’s postal service, Kazpost, presented a souvenir sheet of three new stamps dedicated to the 70th anniversary of victory in WWII at a ceremony in Astana on May 6.Members of the Mazhilis (lower house of Parliament) and veterans of the war were present.
“The stamps’ release is a strong contribution to the ongoing effort to preserve the memory of our country’s veterans, those who sacrificed for it and those who took part in the Great Patriotic War. The younger generation should know our history and the release of these postage stamps will help ensure that the memory of this great victory and the people who contributed to it remain in our hearts. Mail was and is reliable here. During the war, letters made it possible for people to communicate with each other over long distances and across entire countries and cities. We would like to see that today. KazPost can also be a reliable, worthy and friendly companion, a mediator between people,” Chairman of the Board of Directors of Kazpost Elena Bakhmutova said at the event.
The figures represented on the stamps include Rakhymzhan Koshkarbaev, who hoisted the Soviet flag over the Reichstag; Manshuk Mametova, the first Kazakh woman awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and Major General Ivan Panfilov, Hero of the Soviet Union.
”We looked into the face of death. None of us talked about the possibility of not returning home or about our possible deaths. But we always knew that each of us should and must defend their homeland. I witnessed how People’s Hero Rakhymzhan Koshkarbaev really was one of those who first hoisted the flag over the Reichstag; I often recall this historic event with awe. I wish that our children and grandchildren live without war and that they grow to appreciate peace and tranquility,” World War II veteran Khurmantai Aitzhanov said.
The stamps are printed offset in four colours; the size of each sheet is 78x108mm. The stamps themselves are 26x36mm. Circulation will be 15,000. They were designed by artist Kuat Ibraishin. The value of each stamp of the series is 200 tenge (US$1.07).
