[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New stamp commemorates Hanukkah, one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the Jewish calendar
Also called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah takes place from nightfall December 7 to nightfall December 15

OTTAWA – Canada Post’s latest stamp honours the eight-day festival of Hannukah, featuring an illustration of a hanukkiyah (an eight-branched menorah) surrounded by flowers and various elements associated with Hanukkah celebrations. This important holiday commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, Judaism’s holiest site, after the Jewish people reclaimed it around 165 BCE.

It is said that the Temple menorah burned for eight days on a single day’s worth of olive oil. This miracle of light and faith is commemorated each year through the kindling of a Hanukkah menorah – a candelabrum bearing a row of eight candles or oil holders.

The nightly lighting of a menorah is a central element of Hanukkah celebrations. Fried foods, such as latkes and jelly doughnuts, are also strongly associated with the festival, while olives, olive branches and cruses of oil are sometimes used to represent the miracle at the heart of the Hanukkah story.

Giving small amounts of Hanukkah gelt, in the form of money or chocolate coins, has become a common practice. The Hebrew letters on the four sides of the dreidel, a spinning top that children play with during the holiday, stand for the phrase Nes gadol haya sham, which means “A great miracle happened there.”

Designed by Hélène L’Heureux, illustrated by Stephanie Carter and printed by Colour Innovations, the stamp issue includes a booklet of six Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover cancelled in Winnipeg.

Stamps and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and at postal outlets across Canada.

[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un nouveau timbre est consacré à Hanoukka, l’une des fêtes les plus célébrées du calendrier hébraïque

Aussi nommée la fête des Lumières, Hanoukka commence au coucher du soleil le 7 décembre et prend fin à la tombée de la nuit le 15 décembre.

OTTAWA, ON, le 16 nov. 2023 /CNW/ – Le plus récent timbre de Postes Canada est consacré à Hanoukka. Il présente une illustration d’une hanoukkia (une menorah à huit branches) entourée de fleurs et d’objets associés aux célébrations de la fête de huit jours. Cette fête importante commémore la réinauguration du Temple à Jérusalem, lieu le plus sacré du judaïsme, après que le peuple juif le reprend, environ 165 ans avant l’ère commune.

On dit que la menorah du Temple a brûlé pendant huit jours alors qu’il ne restait de l’huile que pour une journée. Ce miracle de l’huile et de la foi est célébré chaque année en allumant une menorah de Hanoukka, soit un chandelier de huit chandelles ou contenants d’huile en rangée.

L’allumage d’une menorah chaque soir est au cœur des célébrations de Hanoukka. Les aliments frits, comme les latkes et les beignes à la confiture, sont étroitement associés à la fête, tandis qu’on utilise parfois des olives, des branches d’olivier et des fioles d’huile pour représenter le miracle au cœur de l’histoire de Hanoukka.

Donner du gelt, soit des pièces de monnaie en chocolat ou de petits montants d’argent, est devenu une pratique courante. Les lettres hébraïques ornant les quatre faces de la toupie (dreidel) avec laquelle les enfants jouent traditionnellement forment le sigle de la phrase Nes gadol haya sham, ce qui signifie : « Un grand miracle s’est produit là-bas. »
Conçue par Hélène L’Heureux, illustrée par Stephanie Carter et imprimée par Colour Innovations, l’émission comprend un carnet de six timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel oblitéré à Winnipeg.

Les timbres et autres articles de collection sont en vente à postescanada.ca et dans les comptoirs postaux d’un bout à l’autre du pays.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
New stamp heralds the arrival of Diwali
Stamp rings in the annual Festival of Lights celebrated around the world

VANCOUVER – Canada Post issued a new stamp today celebrating the arrival of Diwali, one of the largest, most popular, and widely celebrated festivals in India. Diwali, which is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other communities in Canada and around the world, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

During Diwali celebrations, small clay oil lamps called diyas are often lit in rows in homes and temples or set adrift on rivers, while fireworks signify gratitude for health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. Additionally, colourful geometric Rangoli patterns are created in entrance ways, living rooms and courtyards, while beautiful garlands – known as toranas – are draped across the entrances and facades of homes and temples.

This year, the five-day celebration begins on November 12. This is Canada Post’s fifth Diwali stamp; the first four were issued in 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

About the stamp issue
Designed by Kristine Do and illustrated by Rena Chen, the stamp’s design was inspired by the toranas that are heavily featured in Diwali celebrations. Toranas vary in form, yet this stamp highlights two traditional elements: marigold flowers and mango-tree leaves. The diyas (small clay oil) appear in the four corners of the stamp. The stamp issue is cancelled in Vancouver. Printed by Colour Innovations, the stamp issue includes a booklet of six Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and an Official First Day Cover.The stamp and collectibles are available now for purchase at post offices starting on November 9 and on store.canadapost.ca.[en Francais pour les médias d’information]
Un nouveau timbre annonce l’arrivée de Diwali
La fête annuelle des Lumières est célébrée partout dans le monde

VANCOUVER – Aujourd’hui, Postes Canada a émis un nouveau timbre pour souligner l’arrivée de Diwali, l’une des fêtes les plus importantes, les plus populaires et les plus célébrées en Inde. Observée par les adeptes de l’hindouisme, du bouddhisme, du jaïnisme et du sikhisme, entre autres, au Canada et ailleurs dans le monde, Diwali symbolise le triomphe de la lumière sur les ténèbres et du bien sur le mal.

Pour l’occasion, de petites lampes à huile en terre cuite, ou diyas, sont souvent allumées en rangées dans les maisons et les temples, ou déposées sur les rivières, et on illumine le ciel de feux d’artifice pour célébrer la santé, la prospérité, le savoir et la paix. Des rangolis aux formes géométriques colorées décorent les entrées des maisons, les salons et les cours, tandis que de magnifiques guirlandes, ou toranas, ornent les entrées et les façades des maisons et des temples.

Cette année, la célébration de cinq jours commence le 12 novembre. Il s’agit de la cinquième émission de timbre que Postes Canada consacre à Diwali; les quatre premières ont été produites en 2017, 2020, 2021 et 2022.

À propos de l’émission de timbre
Conçu par Kristine Do et illustré par Rena Chen, le motif du timbre de cette année s’inspire des toranas qu’on voit partout pendant les célébrations de Diwali. La forme des toranas varie, mais ce timbre est orné de deux éléments traditionnels : les œillets d’Inde et les feuilles de manguier. Dans les quatre coins du timbre se trouvent des diyas. Le timbre est oblitéré à Vancouver. Imprimée par Colour Innovations, l’émission comprend un carnet de six timbres PermanentsMC au tarif du régime intérieur et un pli Premier Jour officiel.Le timbre et les articles de collection sont en vente maintenant dans les bureaux de poste partout au Canada et àpostescanada.ca.

[press release] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
Canada Post pays tribute to the remarkable story of Mona Parsons
New stamp highlights an incredible tale of resistance, imprisonment and escape during the Second World War

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – At an event in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, on Monday, 6 November, Canada Post unveiled its annual Remembrance Day stamp honouring the remarkable courage and perseverance of Mona Parsons. During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, Parsons helped downed airmen escape back to England. She was arrested and became the only female Canadian citizen to be imprisoned by the Nazis during the war.

Born in 1901 in Middleton, N.S. – and raised in Wolfville – Parsons had been living in the Netherlands with her Dutch husband before the war. When the Nazi occupation began in May 1940, Parsons and her husband assisted what would become known as the Dutch Resistance.

They helped hide Allied airmen whose planes had been shot down over the Netherlands, their home serving as a stopping point in the resistance network. But in 1941, an informer betrayed the couple to the Nazis and they were arrested. Parsons was sentenced to death by firing squad. She appealed the ruling, and successfully got it commuted to life with hard labour.

Transported to Germany, Parsons spent the next three years in prison – until 1945, when, during an Allied bombardment, she escaped. She then embarked on a dangerous journey out of Germany, walking 125 kilometres over three weeks to the Dutch border. By the time she arrived, her feet had become badly infected and she was emaciated, weighing just 87 pounds.

Safely back in the Netherlands, Parsons sought help from an Allied soldier. Incredibly, he was also from Nova Scotia. He was part of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders unit that had advanced into the country.

Eventually, Parsons returned to Nova Scotia, where she remarried and lived until her death in 1976.

About the stamp
The Mona Parsons stamp was designed by Larry Burke, Anna Stredulinsky from Burke & Burke. It features a portrait of Mona Parsons, with a photograph of infantry soldiers of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders advancing into the Netherlands. Printed by Lowe-Martin, the issue includes a booklet of 10 Permanent™ domestic rate stamps, an Official First Day Cover and a pane of five stamps. The cancel site is Wolfville, N.S., where Mona Parsons grew up.The stamp and collectibles are available at canadapost.ca and postal outlets across Canada.xxxFrom left to right: Wendy Donovan, Mayor of Wolfville; Andria Hill-Lehr, Author of Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Prison, from Nova Scotia to Nazi Europe; and Doug Ettinger, President and CEO of Canada Post. Photo: Carolina Andrade. Courtesy Canada Post.

From a Canada Post flyer:

Issue date: November 2

Issued in time for holiday mailing, these stamps showcase the chilly beauty of the Canadian winter through three charming and evocative illustrations: a mountain village (Permanent domestic rate), a frozen pond in a snow-covered valley (U.S. rate), and a rugged coastal landscape (international rate). A pearlescent ink applied over the areas of snow gives them a lustrous sheen.

[From the day-of-issue press release:] This year’s secular holiday stamps celebrate the frosty splendour of Canadian winters with a cross-section of snowy landscapes from across the country. Designed by Jocelyne Saulnier of Joce Creative and illustrated by Tim Zeltner, the imagery includes a mountain village (Permanent™ domestic rate), a frozen pond perfect for skating in a snow-covered valley (U.S. rate), and a rugged coastal landscape (international rate). Domestic rate stamps are available in booklets of 12, while the U.S. and international rate stamps are offered in booklets of six. A festive souvenir sheet of the three stamps is also available, along with a souvenir sheet Official First Day Cover, cancelled in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Technical Details:
Domestic Rate Booklet of 12 stamps
Quantity: 1,000,000
Price: $11.04
Denomination: Permanent™
Stamp size: 40 mm x 32 mm

U.S. Rate Booklet of 6 stamps
Quantity: 350,000
Price: $7.80
Denomination: $1.30
Stamp size: 40 mm x 32 mm

International Rate Booklet of 6 stamps
Quantity: 350,000
Price: $16.26
Denomination: $2.71 (international rate)
Stamp size: 40 mm x 32 mm

Souvenir sheet of 3 stamps
Quantity: 40,000
Price: $4.93
Denomination: 1 x Permanent™, 1 x $1.30, 1 x $2.71
Size: 128 mm x 70 mm
Design: Jocelyne Saulnier Joce Creative.
Illustration: Tim Zeltner
Printing process: Lithography 5 colours
Printing: Colour Innovations

Official First Day Cover
Quantity: 6,000
Price: $5.93
Denomination: 1 x Permanent™, 1 x $1.30, 1 x $2.71
Size: 190 mm x 112 mm
OFDC cancellation location: St. John’s NL
Design: Jocelyne Saulnier, Joce Creative.
Illustration: Tim Zeltner
Printing: Colour Innovations
Printing process: Lithography 5 colours

From a Canada Post flyer:

Issue date: November 2

Reminiscent of the stained-glass windows found in churches, the delicate rendering of the familiar image of Madonna and Child on this year’s Christmas stamp is a reminder of the sacred birth at the heart of the season. Since 2005, Canada Post has offered holiday mailers and collectors a choice of stamps featuring traditional sacred Christmas imagery or secular holiday themes.

[From the day-of-issue press release:] The timeless new Christmas stamp – designed and illustrated by Adrian Horvath – depicts the Madonna and Child in a style reminiscent of the stained-glass windows found in churches. The Permanent™ domestic rate stamp is available in booklets of 12. The Official First Day Cover is cancelled in St. Mary’s, Ontario.

Technical Details:
Booklet of 12 stamps
Quantity: 450,000
Price: $11.04
Denomination: Permanent™ (domestic rate)
Stamp size: 26.25 mm x 40 mm
Design: Adrian Horvath
Printing process: Lithography 5 colours
Printer: Colour InnovationsOfficial First Day Cover
Quantity: 5,000
Price: $1.92
Denomination: 1 x Permanent™ (domestic rate)
Size: 190 mm x 112 mm
OFDC cancellation location: St. Mary’s ON
Design: Adrian Horvath
Printer: Colour Innovations
Printing process: Lithography 5 colours