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We can’t say that Tolkien created the fantasy genre. But we can assure that Tolkien is the father of modern fantasy. At first it may seem that Tolkien has created a superficial fantasy story, but in fact he has created a fully-imagined world. This fully-imagined world with depth of thought enchants the reader in a web of stories that is as profoundly captivating as it is impressively mind-blowing.

The Macuá is a cocktail made with white rum and fruit juices, usually lemon and guava juice. The Macuá is noted as the national drink of Nicaragua. The drink is named after pajaro macuá, a tropical bird native to the country. The drink rose to fame in October 2006, when it was entered in a competition to choose a national drink of Nicaragua. The competition, sponsored by Flor de Caña, a Nicaraguan rum manufacturer, involved more than twenty different drinks based on the company's products. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macu%C3%A1

Kupala Night, also known as Ivan Kupala Day, is a traditional Slavic holiday celebrated in several countries. The holiday falls on the night of June 23rd to 24th (Czechia, Poland and Slovakia), and it is also celebrated on July 6th (Belarus, Ukraine and Russia). Kupala Night is a celebration of the summer solstice and is believed to have pagan roots. The holiday is associated with water, fire, and fertility, and many of its customs and rituals are centered around these themes. One of the most popular traditions is the lighting of bonfires. People gather around the fires, singing and dancing until dawn. They also jump over the flames, which is believed to bring good luck and protect against evil spirits. Another custom is the weaving of wreaths made from flowers and herbs. These wreaths are then thrown into rivers or lakes, and young women compete to see whose wreath will float the farthest. This is said to predict the future of their love lives. Kupala Night is a unique and colorful celebration of Slavic culture, and it attracts many visitors from all over the world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kupala_Night Edit, Mapuo added more: What is the fern flower legend? It is said that whoever finds the fern flower on that day, will get the gift of eternal life, youth and wealth. It is said that the flower shines in the dark but can only be found on that particular night, and is usually well-hidden in a secluded location within the forest

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/

Aztec New Year in Mexico falls on March 12 every year. It signifies the start of the New Year according to the Aztec calendar. We often imagine time as a linear concept — a straight line running from point A to B. The Aztecs took a radically different view. Time was a force. It provided energy and change. Time was often a harbinger of miracles. The Aztecs viewed it through a lens of continual creation, destruction, and regeneration. Given the ebb and flow of life itself, we think they were spot on. Aztec New Year celebrates an ancient culture whose ideas still find resonance today. It’s a date with plenty of symbolism, traditions, and celebrations. The holiday is special to Nahua communities in Mexico — groups of indigenous people who live in Mexico and parts of El Salvador. In the original Nahuatl, the holiday is called ‘Yancuic Xihuitl.’ Nahuatl is a fascinating language with numerous dialects and has Uto-Aztecan roots. The Nahua communities today speak a mix of both Nahuatl and Spanish. From 1300 to 1521, the Aztecs rose to power and influence as the center of Mesoamerican culture. They followed the Mexica or Aztec calendar — a 365-day calendar cycle comprising two parts that ran simultaneously. The first was the year count or xiuhpohualli. The second was tonalpohualli, or ‘counting of the days’ — a 260-day ritual cycle. Yancuic Xihuitl celebrations today usually take place the night before, on March 11. Expectedly, the celebrations are spectacular. Cities like Nuapan, Huauchinango, Xicotepec, Zongolica, and Mexico City organize numerous events on this day. Celebrations commence with ceremonial dances and songs set to the beat of traditional drums. Dancers come dressed in colorful traditional finery and quetzal feather headgear. Anyone fortunate to attend can attest to how mesmerizing these performances are. People present seeds as offerings and light ‘ocote’ or pitch-pine candles that produce aromatic and extremely flammable resin. Towards the end of the ceremony, people burn a flag representing the year gone by and perfume a replacement flag. Finally, they welcome the New Year by blowing into conch shells — the same way their ancestors used to centuries ago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aztec_New_Year

The pupusa is the best known typical food of El Salvador, to the point of being an iconic food. I would be very grateful if you would support the stamp

On July 27th, Puerto Rico honors the legacy and contributions of José Celso Barbosa, a prominent figure in Puerto Rican history and a champion of the island's autonomy and civil rights. José Celso Barbosa Day is a day to reflect on his remarkable achievements and commemorate his dedication to Puerto Rican identity and progress. José Celso Barbosa, born on July 27, 1857, was a physician, sociologist, and politician who played a crucial role in advocating for the rights and welfare of the Puerto Rican people. He was a pioneer in many areas, including public health, education, and the fight for political representation. Barbosa dedicated his life to improving the quality of life for his fellow Puerto Ricans. One of Barbosa's notable achievements was his efforts to advance Puerto Rico's healthcare system. He worked tirelessly to establish modern medical practices and improve public health infrastructure on the island. Barbosa believed that a healthy population was essential for the progress and well-being of Puerto Rico. In addition to his medical endeavors, Barbosa was a staunch advocate for Puerto Rican autonomy and equal rights. He believed in the importance of Puerto Rican identity and fought for self-governance and representation. Barbosa played a significant role in the formation of the Puerto Rican Republican Party, which aimed to promote Puerto Rican interests within the political landscape. José Celso Barbosa Day is celebrated with various activities and events throughout Puerto Rico. These may include educational programs, public lectures, cultural exhibitions, and community gatherings. It is a time for Puerto Ricans to remember Barbosa's contributions and to reflect on the ongoing pursuit of social justice and empowerment. Barbosa's legacy continues to inspire Puerto Ricans to strive for progress, equality, and a stronger Puerto Rican identity. His dedication to improving healthcare, advocating for civil rights, and fostering national pride has left an indelible mark on the island's history. As Puerto Rico commemorates José Celso Barbosa Day, let us remember his vision, courage, and commitment to the advancement of Puerto Rican society. It is a day to honor his memory, celebrate his achievements, and reaffirm our dedication to a brighter future for Puerto Rico. https://www.pr51st.com/jose-celso-barbosa-day/ https://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/holi.shtml

A set with everyone's favourite fairy tales by the world's most beloved storyteller . Hans Christian Andersen (2 April 1805 – 4 August 1875) was a Danish author. Although a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems, he is best remembered for his literary fairy tales. Andersen's fairy tales, consisting of 156 stories across nine volumes and translated into more than 125 languages, have become culturally embedded in the West's collective consciousness, readily accessible to children, but presenting lessons of virtue and resilience in the face of adversity for mature readers as well. Considering recent success of the Grimm's Fairy Tales set and growing interest in the subject, it is impossible to overlook H.C. Andersen and his original stories . So, by popular demand and without further ado, allow me to introduce six famous tales that would make beautiful stamps. The Snow Queen The story is one of Andersen's longest and most highly acclaimed stories. "The Snow Queen" has been adapted into numerous action and animated films around the world, stage plays, operas, video games and so on. It also inspired many other works like Disney's Frozen . This is the story of the girl Gerda who tries to rescue her friend Kai from the Snow Queen, who travels throughout the world with the snow. Art by Elena Ringo Thumbelina Thumbelina is about a tiny girl and her adventures with marriage-minded toads, moles, and cockchafers. She successfully avoids their intentions before falling in love with a flower-fairy prince just her size. Art by fabiolagarza The Ugly Duckling The story tells of a plain-looking little bird (the Ugly Duckling) born in a barnyard. His brothers and sisters as well as the other birds and animals on the farm tease him for being plain and ugly, so he runs off to live with a flock of wild ducks. In the end, he grows to be a beautiful swan, proving that others should never define you. Art by Scott Gustafsonon The Steadfast Tin Soldier This is a story about a tin soldier's love for a paper ballerina. It has been adapted to various media including ballet and animated film, including Disney's Fantasia . Art by Mission The Princess and the Pea This is a story about a young woman whose royal ancestry is established by a test of her sensitivity - namely, by putting a small pea under a pile of mattresses and seeing if she notices it. Art by Edmund Dulac The Emperor's New Clothes This is a story about a vain emperor who hires two swindlers, who pose as weavers. They offer to supply him with magnificent clothes that are invisible to those who are stupid or incompetent. The emperor falls for that and ends up being exposed before the entire townsfolk, and the phrase "the Emperor has no clothes!" became an idiom in many languages. Art by Dave Clegg The Little Mermaid was another obvious pick, but Denmark already has a location stamp with the famous statue, so I am leaving it out.

One of the most popular forms of Singapore architecture must be the shophouse: https://www.thesgshophouse.com/colorful-shophouses-in-singapore-that-you-should-know/ https://www.visitsingapore.com/see-do-singapore/architecture/historical/shophouses-typology/ https://expatliving.sg/a-history-of-shophouses-in-singapore/ https://shophousecollective.sg/history-and-significance-of-shophouses-in-singapore/ Below images are showing one of the shophouses located at Koon Seng Road Singapore and shophouses postcards and artwork printing released from Singapore Post Office.