The commemorative series of stamps ‘Synagogues of Greece’ was presented at an event organised by the Hellenic Post (ELTA) and the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece (KIS), in the Old Parliament, on the first day of circulation of the stamps.
The six stamps of the series are illustrated with the historic synagogues of Athens, Thessaloniki, Larissa, Trikala, Ioannina and Rhodes, while the two envelopes present the Synagogues of Corfu and Chania.
Through this special series of stamps, with which ELTA honours Greek Jewry and its centuries-old history, the cultural wealth, elaborate architecture, and religious tradition of Greek Jews will be highlighted internationally.
During the event, greetings were addressed by the President of KIS, David Saltiel, and the President of ELTA, Daniel Benardout.
“A stamp is not just a pre-paid fee for sending mail. It is a carrier of culture and has its own social role in spreading important messages,” said the President of KIS, adding that “the extremely elegant stamps of the Synagogues present the rich religious tradition of the Greek Jews, giving elements from both Sephardic and Romaniote traditions”.
The President of ELTA, Daniel Benardout, emphasized, among other things, in his address: “From the depths of history, from ancient times, as far as Romaniote Jews are concerned, and of course later, during the large mass settlement of Sephardic Jews in our country, in the 14th and 15th centuries, the Synagogues became the reference points and pillars of Jewish culture, the preeminent symbols of Diaspora Jewry. We honour this symbol of faith and identity today by issuing these stamps. We honour a cultural heritage, which spanned centuries, generations, dreams, steps towards the future, and at the same time kept intact and alive the imprint of an old, sacred tradition”.
The event was attended by the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, the Secretary General for Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Giorgos Kalantzis, ND Members of Parliament Zoe Rapti and Vassilis Oikonomou, Ambassador Chrysoula Aliferi, Special Envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Combating Anti-Semitism, the CEO of the Growth Fund, the National Fund of Greece, Grigoris Dimitriadis, the CEO of ELTA, Grigoris Sklikas, the Rabbi of Athens, Gabriel Negrin, presidents and representatives of Jewish Communities and Organizations, philatelists and many people.
