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Mazagran (also called café mazagran, formerly spelt masagran) is a cold, sweetened coffee drink that originated in Algeria. It has been stated that the drink's name probably originated from a fortress named Mazagran in a coastal town called Mostaganem in the northwest of Algeria which in 1837 through the Treaty of Tafna was granted to France. Mazagran is prepared with strong, hot coffee that is poured over ice, and it is typically served in a narrow, tall glass. It has also been described as "coffee taken with water instead of milk", in which coffee is served in a tall glass along with a separate container of water to mix in with the coffee

Beautifully perched beneath the raw peaks of the Rif, Chefchaouen is one of the prettiest towns in Morocco, an artsy, blue-washed mountain village that feels like its own world. While tourism has definitely taken hold, the balance between ease and authenticity is just right. The old medina is a delight of Moroccan and Andalusian influence with red-tiled roofs, bright-blue buildings and narrow lanes converging on busy Plaza Uta El Hammam and its restored kasbah. Long known to backpackers for the easy availability of kif (cannabis), the town has rapidly gentrified and offers a range of quality accommodation, good food, lots to do and no hassles to speak of, making it a strong alternative to a hectic multicity tour. This is a great place to relax, explore and take day trips to the cool green hills. 𝒮𝒽𝒶𝒾𝒶𝓅𝓊𝒻𝓊

Dawa is a popular cocktail from Kenya and is widely regarded as one of the country's signature drinks. The word “Dawa” means “medicine” or “magic potion” in Swahili, and the cocktail is named as such because it's believed to have healing properties, especially for lifting spirits and revitalizing the body. It includes vodka as the base spirit, fresh lime wedges for a tangy kick, and honey to add a smooth sweetness. The drink is served over ice and stirred with a “Dawa stick” (traditionally a honey-dipped wooden stick) to combine the flavors. Optional sugar can be added for extra sweetness, making it the perfect balance of sweet and sour. It's an easy-to-make cocktail that’s ideal for warm weather! The Dawa is more than just a cocktail in Kenya; it’s often considered a social drink enjoyed during gatherings, celebrations, and relaxing evenings. The drink has become a must-try for tourists visiting Kenya, especially at local bars and restaurants with outdoor seating or safari lodges.

If you're looking for a unique cultural experience, look no further than the Východná Folklore Festival in Slovakia. This festival, held annually in June or July, celebrates the rich folklore and traditions of the country's eastern region. During the festival, visitors can witness traditional folk dances, listen to authentic folk music, and see beautifully-crafted folk costumes. You can also try your hand at traditional crafts and taste local cuisine. This festival is a true celebration of Slovak culture, and it's not to be missed. One of the highlights of the festival is the "Pavol Dobšinský's Východná Folklore Competition", which brings together the best folklore groups from across Slovakia to compete in various categories. The competition is named after the famous Slovak folklorist Pavol Dobšinský, who is known for his extensive collection of Slovak folk tales and traditions. The festival takes place in the village of Východná, located in the foothills of the Tatra Mountains. The village is famous for its beautiful wooden architecture and picturesque scenery, making it the perfect setting for this celebration of Slovak folklore. So if you're interested in experiencing the rich traditions and folklore of Slovakia's eastern region, be sure to plan a visit to the Východná Folklore Festival. It's an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for Slovak culture. https://slovakia.travel/en/the-vychodna-folklore-festival https://festivalvychodna.sk/2022/en/

Poles have a unique way of celebrating St Andrew’s Day (30 November, although the festivities can kick off on the evening of 29 November). The festivities include a whole variety of fortune-telling games, including pouring candle wax through a keyhole into cold water to create a wax figurine whose shape is then used to foretell the future. Key to the occasion is the tradition of predicting the likelihood of marriage with the amusing shoe race, in which everyone in the room takes off their shoes and lays them across the floor, one pair after another, starting at the wall furthest from the door. The first pair of shoes to cross the threshold means wedding bells for the owner. https://polandunraveled.com/polish-st-andrew-day-andrzejki/ https://culture.pl/en/article/predicting-your-future-husband-the-polish-tradition-of-andrzejki https://www.inyourpocket.com/krakow/andrzejki-st-andrews-eve-in-poland_72953f https://www.britishpoles.uk/andrzejki-st-andrews-day-celebration-in-poland/ https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/pour-your-wax-and-set-your-eyes-on-the-future-andrzejki-is-here-is-again-3558 https://mosquitohostel.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/andrzejki-st-andrews-day-celebration-in-poland/ http://polishforexpats.pl/andrzejki-st-andrews-day-celebration-in-poland/ https://keytopoland.com/post/celebrating-andrzejki-in-poland https://blogs.transparent.com/polish/get-ready-to-have-fun-during-andrzejki-in-poland/ https://www.esn.pl/en/news/polish-folklore-andrzejki https://www.careersinpoland.com/article/customs/andrzejki-st-andrews-day

Benin location stamp proposal - The Chameleon Temple, Obamey, Benin The biggest religion of Benin, Voodoo has over 50 million believers in West Africa and further huge followings in parts of the Caribbean, South America and even some regions of the southern United States. An animistic religion whose roots stretch back thousands of years, its name means ‘god’, ‘spirit’ or ‘power’ in the Fon language; and its followers believe not in the clichés of the living dead, but instead in the power of nature and the natural forces that course through everything. Abomey Although known as a royal city, Abomey is a pleasant place to enjoy a day peering into the recesses of the market and discovering small Voodoo shrines squirreled away up dusty side streets. Those interested in Voodoo culture shouldn’t miss the fetish market, just a short way outside of the town centre – it’s one of the biggest and goriest in the country. Source : Brandt Guide to Benin "Today we paid a visit to one of the more touristic centers of Benin – Abomey. Before reaching the city with its lines of palaces and commonly-visited sites, though, we got to a chance to tour something much less well-known. Due to some awesome connections that one of our fellow volunteers has, we got to visit a voodoo temple shaped like a chameleon. It’s huge! It's been under construction for the past 6 years, and although there is still much to be completed within it, it looks pretty remarkable. I mean, who doesn’t think walking into the mouth of a chameleon to get into a temple is cool?! The temple is a private project being financed by a voodoo priest who resides on the outskirts of Bohicon. Its purpose is not to serve as a tourist attraction, but as a place for followers of the Tohouiyo divinity to worship. I'm not too well versed in the theology of all the different deities and spirits within Voodoo, but I can tell you that there are many. Voodoo is a polytheistic religion, and one may find a spirit involved in just about anything. We had the chance to talk with the voodoo priest who was financing the temple, and he told us that many people claim that different religions – Christianity, Islam, etc. – are all different things. He said that when one understands Voodoo, however, they understand that they are all the same. Everything is a part of Voodoo. For example, he said that the God that one worships in Christianity is also one of the Gods worshipped in Voodoo. This statement matches up almost to a tee with what I’ve heard when discussing voodoo with other Beninese people as well." "A voodoo temple shaped like a chameleon. Chameleons are said to be symbolic of god on earth to most divinities of voodoo." Source : BikeBenin blog Rationale for this proposal Benin is the birthplace of the Vodun religion, and this temple is an outstanding architectural object. I think it would create a very nice stamp design if adopted. The Brandt Guide to Benin has an excellent introduction to this ancient religion, and is recommended reading. Thank you for your comments and support. Attachments : * façade * partial façade and left side view * the rear and side of the building * front temple entrance with people for scale reference

Oktoberfest is the world's largest Volksfest, featuring a beer festival and a travelling carnival, and is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, from mid- or late-September to the first Sunday in October, with more than six million international and national visitors attending the event. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest

The beautiful medieval city of Hamelin (Germany) is visited by around 4 million tourists each year, many of whom go there to visit the place they heard about as little children: the city of the Pied Piper . The legend of the Pied Pier dates back to the Middle Ages. The earliest references describes a piper, dressed in multicolored ("pied") clothing, who was a rat catcher hired by the town to lure rats away with his magic pipe. When the citizens refused to pay for this service as promised, he retaliated by using his instrument's magical power on their children, leading them away as he had the rats. This version of the story spread as folklore and has appeared in the writings of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Brothers Grimm, and Robert Browning , among others. Source: Wikipedia Magic pipe aside, the meaning of the events in this story remains unclear to this day and there are many different theories about it. Some suggest the Pied Piper was a symbol of hope to the people of Hamelin, which had been attacked by plague; he drove the rats from Hamelin, saving the people from the epidemic. Here is an interesting BBC article about it, which also suggests the story is based on an actual historic incident. The Pied Piper is known to everyone in Germany as "der Rattenfänger von Hameln" and also to millions of people around the world. I believe this character would make a perfect premium stamp and a very much needed alternative to the ones with traditional food.

A stamp to honor those that were denied their freedom as late as possible.

The Lighthouse of Alexandroupolis A central attraction and symbol of the city is the Lighthouse (recognized as a cultural heritage monument in 2013) located on the city's promenade (Megalou Alexandrou Street). It was built in 1850 and started operating in 1880, built on the western side of the city's harbor to facilitate the coasting of local sailors who traveled to the area of Hellespont. It is on a cylindrical pedestal and is 27 meters from the average sea level and 18 meters from the ground, making it one of the tallest lighthouses in Greece. It operates with electricity and its distinctive feature is its light beam reaching 24 nautical miles (approximately 44 km) and three white blinks every 15 seconds.