Stamps of Czechoslovakia in Transcarpathia at the “Ukrphilexp – 2017” in Uzhgorod (PHOTOREPORT)

The Transcarpathian Regional Music and Drama Theater in Uzhgorod became a philatelic center for three days. On September 28, the XV National Philatelic Exhibition "Ukrphilexp – 2017", which will last until October 1, was officially opened there. An event of such a level will be held on the territory of the region for the first time. The head of Uzhgorod Philatelists Club Mykola Dudnyk, the moderator of the event, opened the solemn part. The guests were greeted by the Deputy Mayor of Uzhgorod Oleksandr Bilak, the director of the Transcarpathian Directorate of "Ukrposhta" Serhiy Kaliy, the director of the theater Vasyl Mariukhnich, and also the head of the Transcarpathian Regional Association of Philatelists Hennadiy Budkevich.

Afterwards, they solemnly cut the ribbon and cancelled the stamp of the XV National Philatelic Exhibition (featuring the image of the Uzhgorod Holy Cross Greek Catholic Cathedral). Then everyone was invited to see the exhibition, which, honestly, is impressive. Because it features not only stamps, postcards, envelopes of different countries, even epochs. The themes are diverse – the beauty of the Carpathian land, space, aviation, the Olympic Games, art. 

The oldest philatelist of Transcarpathia, 85-year-old Dariy Serkez presented postal stamps of Czechoslovakia in Transcarpathia dated from 1919 to 1939. He tells us that at that time there were 94 post offices in the region (two in Uzhgorod). So he has collected 91 stamps. There is an interesting philatelic literature "The history of postal service of Transcarpathia. From the beginning to 2014." by Lajos Horvath, as well as "Fedak Sara – Beregovo actress" by Janos Szepa from Hungary. 

Mr Dariy admitted that his greatest dream is to find the three stamps he has not got yet.

Today, the stamp of the first day "Ukrainian minorities – Roma" was solemnly cancelled. Tomorrow, September 30, at 10.00, there will be cancellation of the stamp "International Year of Tourism". And on October 1, all interested persons are invited from 8.30 to 12.00 to the "Day of collectors. Meeting of collectors ", which will be held in the chess club of the SC "Yunist". The solemn closing of the exhibition will take place on the same day at 13.00.

Oksana Shtefanyo

Photos by the author