Post stamp marking anniversary of Georgian-Italian ties released

The Georgian version of a post stamp unveiled earlier this month and celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations between Georgia and Italy has been released, the Georgian Economy Ministry said on Wednesday.

Presented to the public on Wednesday at the National Parliamentary Library in Tbilisi, the stamp was created by Georgian architect and collector Baadur Qoblianidze.

Baadur Qoblianidze at the presentation of the post stamp. Photo: Georgian Economy Ministry

Printed by the State Polygraphic Institute of Italy, it features a reproduction of a drawing of the Bichvinta Cathedral in north-western Georgia’s Abkhazia region, created by the 17th century Theatine cleric Cristoforo Castelli, who produced sketches and drawings of Georgian social and cultural life during his time in the Caucasus.

His [Christoforo Castelli’s] works are invaluable for the history and the cultural heritage of Georgia. [This] stamp will contribute to strengthening and deepening the friendship between the Georgian and Italian people”, Deputy Economy Minister Guram Guramishvili said at the presentation.

Enrico Valvo, the Italian Ambassador to Georgia at the presentation. Photo: Georgian Economy Ministry

The Italian version of the post stamp was printed in 350,000 copies with a value equal to €2.40, with the country’s Embassy in Georgia noting its release marked the “[multi-century] tradition of collaboration and friendship” between the nations and “excellent political, economic and scientific-cultural relations” between the two states.