The philatelic section of the Guyana Post Office Corporation added four sets of   internationally themed stamps to its collection in an “April Stamps Launch”, yesterday. The stamps showcased at the event commemorated the Chinese lunar calendar, Chinese Aviation, the late Princess Diana and the 265th and current Pope, Benedict XVI.
At the event, well attended by foreign officials, religious leaders and local dignitaries, Chairman of the GPOC, Bishop Juan Edghill said that the event was a significant one, since philately plays an important role in culture.
Edghill said that one of the major problems that the world faces is a lack of understanding for each other. Quoting Ghandi, he said: “‘We don’t know each other because we hate each other and we hate each other because we don’t know each other’ ”.
Continuing, he said that post offices were the holders of history through stamps, and urged Social Studies teachers to encourage students to learn history through the collection of stamps. He said that the post office will also, in soon to come collections, feature Guyanese themed stamps.
Head of the Jesuits here, Mr. Dermont Preston, spoke on behalf of the Catholic Church, saying that it is a great honour to see the postal service produce stamps in honour of Pope Benedict XVI. Speaking about the accomplishments of the   predecessor of the current Sovereign of the Vatican City State, Preston said that Pope Benedict XV, who reigned during and in the aftermath of World War 1, is one of the most forgotten men in history.
Deputy High Commissioner at the British Embassy, Mr. Simon Bond, also expressed appreciation at the event, especially for the stamp which depicted the late “Princess of Wales” Diana,  the  first wife of  Charles, Prince of Wales, and the mother of princes William and Harry , who  are second and third in line to the throne of the United Kingdom and fifteen other Commonwealth Realms.
Speaking about the Princess, who, he said is a mythologised figure in some ways, Bond posited that the common theme of the late Princess’s life was humanity, referring to her activism against landmines related deaths and HIV/AIDS. He praised the late Princess as someone who had human frailties and weaknesses.

Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Mr. Zhan Jungao, expressed joy that Guyana has joined the group of over 80 other countries that have since 1950 issued stamps featuring the Chinese lunar calendar, going on to enlighten those present about the calendar which   features  12 animals, one for each month.
Continuing, Jungao also spoke about the rapidly expanding Chinese Aviation industry. By 2010 , which signifies the end of  China’s 11th  Five-Year Plan , and a  total investement  of US  $17.7 billion, China is predicted to have  186 new airports, which includes three national hubs, seven regional hubs, 24 medium hubs, 28 medium airports and 124 small-size airports. Airports with scheduled airlines are estimated to number   260 by 2015.
Acting Post Master General, Mr. Henry Dundas, said at the event said that even though many may wonder why the G.P.OC prints stamps with international themes, he observed that as an inclusive thinking society, it was fitting to print stamps with both local and international themes. Continuing, he said that international business relationships necessitate the printing of international themes which also show our respect for the history and culture of other nations.
Drawing attention to the fact that the G.P.O.C. had only recently launched 40th Republic Anniversary stamps, Dundas promised that later in the year other newstamps will highlight Mining Week, feature Amerindian tribes, bridges in Guyana, and   local birds.