An Exclusive Stamp Dedicated to German Münster and the Anniversary of the Peace of Westphalia Presented in Vinnytsia

On Tuesday, October 24, the Yakiv Balaban Museum of Ukrainian Stamps hosted a special issuing ceremony of the new Vinnytsia stamp "United for Peace and Development" in honor of the German partner city of Münster.

The date was not chosen by chance: 375 years ago, the Peace of Westphalia was signed in Münster, and in 1945, the United Nations was established on the same day, with Ukraine among the founding members. The stamp depicts an olive tree as a symbol of peace, the birth of new life, eternal development and progress. The intertwining branches of the tree, colored in the colors of the national flags of Germany and Ukraine, symbolize the unity and mutual assistance of Münster and Vinnytsia.

Relations with this German city started with the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the russian occupiers. Münster has provided very tangible support to Vinnytsia residents in the form of humanitarian aid to address the various needs of the community as a whole, as well as vulnerable categories of the population.

These included modular kitchens, generators and equipment for utility companies, special equipment and cars, school furniture, and exercise equipment for the newly established rehabilitation department of Vinnytsia City Hospital No. 1. In addition, German friends provided recreation for young Vinnytsia residents, most of whom are children of fallen defenders. In March this year, Vinnytsia and Münster signed an agreement on solidarity partnership. And in August, the mayor of this city, Markus Lewe, personally visited the City of Ideas and recognized the efforts of Vinnytsia community in preserving the economic and social potential of the rear city during the war. Currently, he continues to help not only as the head of the partner city, but also as the chairman of the Association of German Cities.

The special issuing of the stamp was symbolically redeemed on October 24 - on this day in 1648 in Münster, the Peace of Westphalia ended the first pan-European armed conflict, the Thirty Years' War. With the adoption of the Peace Treaty of Westphalia, the foundations of the modern world order were established - the division of the world into nation-states and the emergence of the principles of international law. In addition, the concept of the "Westphalian system" appeared in international politics, which ensured the sovereignty of the state on its territory. October 24 also marks the Day of the United Nations, of which Ukraine is one of the 51 founding members.

"When we talk about the year of the signing of the Peace of Westphalia and the creation of national states in Europe, I want to remind you that it was in 1648 that the national liberation struggle led by Bohdan Khmelnytskyi and the formation of the Cossack state in our country began. Unfortunately, again because of the russians, we did not succeed then," reminded Mayor Serhii Morhunov in his welcoming speech. "Last year, we established a good tradition by launching a series of Vinnytsia stamps called 'Brothers-in-arms'. Since the beginning of the invasion in 2022, various cities that are our foreign partners have been very active in helping our community as a whole. Therefore, the issue of such symbolic stamps is a kind of gesture of gratitude from Vinnytsia residents to their foreign friends. In addition, Vinnytsia is home to the one-of-a-kind Ukrainian Stamp Museum, which clearly demonstrates that postage stamps are also symbols of statehood."

This is the 4th stamp in the "Brothers-in-arms" series dedicated to Vinnytsia's international partners who have been supporting Ukrainians in the fight against the enemy and helping our community since the first days of the war. Previously, stamps were issued in honor of Kielce, Poland, Panevėžys, Lithuania, and Karlsruhe, Germany.

In total, this is the 10th exclusive Vinnytsia stamp issued by the Vinnytsia Tourism Office in cooperation with Ukrposhta. A copy of the stamped block and an envelope will be sent to the municipality of Münster during the visit of the Vinnytsia mayor in November this year.

The total run of this stamp is 70 postal blocks and more than 200 stamps. Traditionally, collectors will be able to order them on the platform of exclusive Vinnytsia gifts "BYVI" on Facebook and Instagram.