COVER N. 674 - LITHUANIA

Postmark: Vilnius Premier Jour 21.11.2025  

Posted on the 21st November;  Received on the 6th January 2026

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And yet.... I still have another one...

Come to think of it, the Season seems to have been quite generous after all in terms of the number of  messages from friends who chose to do it the traditional way and I am so glad it was that way. I only regret not having been able to reply in kind,,, I promise I'll do it next year.

Labai ačiū, Leonardas! A very Happy New Year to you and yours!

Leonardas kindly sent me his Christmas wishes inside the official First Day Cover of Lietuvos paštas Christmas issue, dated of 21NOV2025.

And what an extraordinary set it is! At first sight one might think the images on the stamps are computer generated graphic images allusive to the Season... well indeed they are but they mimic something much more analogical: Karpiniai, Lithuanian paper-cut art.

Originated in the 16th century this form of popular art, carried out with a paper and a pair of scissors or a cutter,  was used as decoration for tables and other furniture at festive events such as weddings and also for the same purposes at home, in windows, shelves, tables, 

Today the tradition is very much still alive and has made its way into the art circuit with new interpretations of the old technique by contemporary artists.

Looking at the designs in the two stamps one can get a clear image of the intricate lacelike patterns that are created in Karpiniai and where symmetry is one of the rules not to be infringed.

The 2 € stamp features the image of two angels while he 2.10 € stamp is illustrated with a lovely Christmas tree.

The first day Postmark, applied in Vilnius, the Capital city, (which is unfortunately slightly marred by another faint date stamp) is also reminiscent of paper cuts, with a nice interpretation of snowflakes, the theme for the envelope decoration.

Leonardas card , which I find quite beautiful.