COVER N. 744 - FRANCE

Postmark: Nikos Aliagas Danse Millénaire 1er Jour  La Poste  Paris 11.06.2026

Posted on the 11th June;  Received on the 25th June 2026

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And yet another FDC from Eric, with another of the issues that came out during the Paris Philex 2026 stamp show. Encore Merci, Eric. 

From what I read, Nikos Aliagas is quite popular a TV presenter in France, having been the host of such globally known shows as Star Academy and The Voice, which in France goes by the title of la Plus Belle Voix.

Further to that, Nikos is also a well established Black and White photographer, with several published works and international exhibitions to his credit.

His photographic work started in the early 2000 and bio notes say he specialises in Humanist and Portrait Photography, having shot not only celebrities but also the everyday citizen in candid portraits that emphasise the character, the essence, of the subject.

Nikos has also photographed extensively  Greek landscapes, often focusing his lens on a subject which I also find rather photogenic: old olive trees.

On 11JUN2026 La Poste issued a 3,10 € stamp illustrated with one of Nikos' high contrast black and white olive trees photographs, entitled Danse Millénaire (Millennial Dance), portraying two centuries old trees that seem to be dancing in the wind.

The stamp includes a QR code which, when scanned with the Philinfo app, brings the olive trees to life, seen from above, while the photographer comments the photographed scene.

As a personal note I have to say that I am not particularly fond of this augmented reality in photography thing. At the risk of sounding petulant and crude, I'd say that  most of the times (if not all of the times) it adds little (if anything) to the photo, distracts the viewer and diminishes the main artistic subject (the photo, itself). I can see it being used as a vector for guidance, explanation, enlightenment, but photography is a two dimensional thing even if out of it tridimensional constructions might be obtained... but then again, that is already an extension of the medium...

The very nice First day Postmark features an owl, the bird of wisdom, a common occurrence in Greece, which Nikos has also photographed and which he chose as his own symbol.