Download Greeting of Minister of information technologies and

Official greeting of Minister for Information Technologies and
Communications of the Russian Federation L.D.Reiman to participants and
guests of the World Philatelic Exhibition "Saint-Petersburg-2007"
Ladies and gentlemen!
On behalf of the Russian Federation Government I welcome participants and
guests of the World Philatelic Exhibition “Saint Petersburg – 2007”.
In January, 2008 it will be 150 years since the first Russian stamp was issued.
Our Ministry in association with the Union of Philatelists of Russia decided to hold
the World Philatelic Exhibition “Saint Petersburg – 2007” within the framework of
this significant anniversary in the history of the Russian philately and postal
communication.
Millions of people all over the world devote their leisure to studying postage
stamps, that are not only the most popular object for collecting, but also peculiar
documents bearing record to historical events, state and national features of the
artistic design of postal charge symbols. Postage stamps and other postal
documents (envelopes, cards and postage stamp impresses) reflect all spheres of
knowledge and activity of humanity, and the information they contain is simple
and clear for everyone. Language of philately is an international one. It allows to
bring fine arts to the great masses of population in a modest and laconic way, to
broaden the outlook not of collectors only, but of everyone who likes to write or
receive letters.
A postage stamp is a peculiar source of knowledge about history and
geography, geology and study of local lore, ecology and space, flora and fauna of
the Earth, science and engineering. Moving in time and space, a postage stamp
becomes the means of spiritual, cultural communication of people.
It is significant that the World Philatelic Exhibition is held in SaintPetersburg – the city where the first Russian stamp has been issued, and one of the
first societies of philatelists of the country, which in the course of time have turned
into powerful Russian philatelic movement, appeared.
I hope that the World Philatelic Exhibition “Saint Petersburg – 2007” will
make emphatic success both among the professionals - leading collectors of the
world who will bring their exhibits that make the treasury of global philately, - and
among just fans of this special genre of “postal art”.
I wish organizers, participants and guests of the World Philatelic Exhibition
fruitful work, interesting meetings, bright and unforgettable experiences!
Minister for Information Technologies
and Communications of the Russian Federation
L.D.Reiman