International Year of Light News
Philatelic IYL 2015 in Liechtenstein
The yellow IYL 2015-stamp with a facial value of 0.55 CHF and the motto “Preparing the International Year of Light-Technologies, Physical section, Scientific Society of Liechtenstein” is the first IYL 2015 commemorative stamp in the world, issued on 25 March 2014. The stamp was designed and commissioned by the Scientific Society of Liechtenstein, and was printed by the Postal Service and is valid for postage. Since last year privately designed stamps have been tested in several countries, which is a trend not very popular among philatelic societies. Next year the Liechtenstein Government will edit the official stamp, which will be more to the liking of philatelists, and the Liechtenstein scientists are already engaged in this project.
A workshop has already been organised by the Liechtenstein National Postal Agency. The major graphic designers of the country met specialists of “Royal Joh. Enschedé”, the global leader in printing of security documents from the Netherlands. On behalf of the physical section of Liechtenstein, Cyril Deicha was invited to speak and his lecture about the physical theories of light was well received. C. Deicha showed some experiments, which could be included in a stamp. Using the variety of new printing technologies, he demonstrated that it is possible to create many different stamps, illustrating a broad historical review. Prof. Deicha stated “Light was first described as rays 1,000 years ago: let’s make a stamp with reflective details! Light waves were discovered 200 years ago: here is an interferential grating through which you can observe the spectrum. The quantic theory of light is 110 year old: the glow-in-the-dark ink can be explained with that theory.”
Now the graphic designers have been invited to submit their projects. The postal stamp is a little familiar object, which can help to popularize physical science in wider circles of the society. It should be used in schools and colleges to illustrate the teaching of geography, arts and – of course – physics. Disseminated across the world, the stamp shall be a witness of the universality of science.
The issue has also a local signification, because since 1920 Liechtenstein is a global leader in philatelic productions and wants to hold its ranking in this domain.
Further information can be found on the philately website of the Liechtenstein.
Tell us about your events for the global IYL2015 calendar!
The global IYL2015 website will be live in a month or so, but meanwhile the landing page at www.light2015.org has appeared. The site will be progressively filled with content covering all aspects of the planned activities and events in all countries of the world!
As you organise events in your country, please keep us informed by contacting EPS’s IYL2015 office and sending a copy at the same time to the international secretariat. The most important information we need to collate are the dates of course, but also the kinds of event you have planned – for example, a national opening ceremony or kick-off meeting, a high-level meeting of senior scientists and politicians, a public lecture, a thematic workshop and so on.
The whole world will want to know what we are doing, so let’s plan to tell them as soon as we can!
