Belgium 8 May 2000

New stamp issues

The Olympic Games in Sydney, music, Europe and birds are the themes on the new Belgian stamps.

Sydney 2000

From 15 September to 1 October 2000, Sydney will host the 24th Summer Olympic games. Over 10,000 competitors representing 200 nations will participate in the games, which are held every four years.
On this games two new sports (tae-kwon-do and triathlon) are scheduled.

The Paralympics, the Olympic Games for the disabled, will be held in Sydney as well, from 18 to 29 October. At the Atlanta Games, the Belgians won no less than 26 medals.
The issue devoted to the Belgian Olympic Team pays tribute to the entire Belgian sports world as well as to the organisations and companies supporting the world.
Values: 17 (3 x), 30 Fr.
Size: 48,75 x 38,15 mm (17 Fr.) and 125 x 80m (30 Fr.).
Design: Els Vandevyvere.

Music

A booklet of six postage stamps brings two important musical events of the year 2000 together in a wonderful composition: the opening of the new location of the Musical Instrument Museum and the 250th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach's death (1685-1750).
Since this year, the Brussels Instrument Museum is situated in the restored buildings of the Old-England store (Place Royale). It really is worth seeing.
The five instruments that are depicted on the stamps are on display in the museum. The harpsichord, the violin, the lute, the treble viol and the trumpets all are pearls of their kind. What they have in common is that they all date back to the days of Johann Sebastian Bach, to whom the sixth postage stamp is dedicated. The composer died 250 years ago. He is considered by many as one of the greatest musical geniuses in history.
Values: (17 Fr).
Design: Myriam Voz / Thierry Martin (MVTM).
Size: 25,4 x 44,1 mm (stamps) and 180 x 66,6 mm (booklet).

Europe 2000

Europe's public postal operators, grouped under PostEurop, are issuing a special postage stamp the motif of which is common.
For the creation of this postage stamp, PostEurop organised a big contest. And the project by the French artist Jean-Paul Cousin was chosen. The illustration represents an original and symbolic allegory of the construction of Europe.
This magnificent postal value, issued on 9 May 2000, also contributes to recalling a historical date for the European Union: 9th May 1950. On that day, the French foreign minister Robert Schuman presented a proposal, which led to the creation of what is now the European Union.
Last but not least, PostEurop's initiative is part of the actions aiming at promoting philately in Europe and is supported by the European Commission.
Value: 21 Fr.
Design: Jean-Paul Cousin.
Size: 27,66 x 38,40 mm.

Birds

Four new bird stamps came on sale on 8 May 2000. André Buzin designed the stamps. The values are available in sheets of 50 stamps and were printed on polyvalent-fluorescent paper.

Values: 1, 2, 3 and 5 Fr.
Size: 24 x 27,66 mm.

More information

Stamps of Belgium
Postage Stamps 2000
Royal baby on stamp
Queen Astrid
Flowers