The official proclamation of 2017 as "Greece-China Year of Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation of Creative Industries" has been an inspiration and an incentive for the promotion of Greek-Chinese relations and the development of cultural cooperation between the two countries.

As part of this strategic cooperation and with the aim of supporting the strengthening and enhancement of cultural relations between Greece and China, Hellenic Post (ELTA) launched, on 8 September 2017, a Commemorative Set of Stamps entitled "Greece-China Year of Cultural Exchanges and Cooperation of Creative Industries 2017".

The three unique stamps of the Commemorative Series, designed by Hellenic Post engraver Dr Myrsini Vardopoulou, depict the encounter in the present of two great, long-established civilizations that featured as spiritual cradles of West and East, respectively.

The first stamp features a combination of two symbols of the centuries-old civilizations, the olive and the bamboo trees, the spiritual content of which is reflected in their visual depictions over the centuries. The other two stamps depict costumes of ancient theatre from Greece and China. The Chinese costume reveals an ancient Greek mask while the Greek costume the visual side of the Chinese writing. Both designs function as examples of the parallel course and the great spiritual and cultural achievements of the two peoples.

A series of related philatelic products accompanies the set of commemorative stamps: first-day covers, standard series set packs, regular set albums, prepaid maximum cards, and numbered souvenir sheets. All philatelic products will available at the ELTA Central Philatelic Shop and at post offices across the country.

The official presentation of the commemorative set of stamps took place on Friday, 8 September, 2017, at an event organized by ELTA at the Royal Theater of Thessaloniki. The event was attended by Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media Minister Mr Nikos Pappas and HE the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Greece Mr. Zou Xiaoli.

More: www.elta.gr