BALKANFILA XIX

Conference

BALKANFILA XIX


12. October 2023.

Philately and postal history not only uniquely represent the cultural and historical values of a nation but also contribute to the dissemination of cultural heritage and the strengthening of bonds among individuals and communities. Through the lens of postage stamps, the world is viewed as a place of rich history and diverse cultures, with philately playing a pivotal role in preserving these invaluable narratives.

In a year that marks four significant postal jubilees - 180 years since the enactment of the first Postal Act, 150 years since the emergence of the first Serbian postal card, 100 years since the establishment of the PTT museum, and 75 years since the founding of the Union of Philatelists of Serbia - Belgrade had the honor of hosting the nineteenth international philatelic exhibition Balkanfila, after 46 years since the last such event was held in Serbia. The Balkanfila XIX exhibition was organized by the Union of Philatelists of Serbia, in collaboration with the Serbian Post. The honorary patron of the exhibition was the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić. The entire event organization, including the creation of the concept, visual identity, and all aspects of executive production, was entrusted to the Balkan Perspectives Today team.

About the conference

The International Philatelic Exhibition Balkanfila XIX was held from October 12th to 14th, 2023, at the Central Military Club in Belgrade. This was the largest philatelic exhibition in Serbia and the region to date, bringing together exhibitors from 12 countries in the region - philatelists from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and Turkey - as well as visitors and philately enthusiasts from around the world.

The aim of this event, for which Serbia was the host for the third time, following previous organizations in Belgrade in 1977 and Novi Sad in 1987, was to strengthen and develop the cooperation and friendship among philatelists from the countries in the region, as well as to present this significant and unique 'hobby of kings' to a wider audience. The exhibition was opened by the Acting Director of the Serbian Post, Zoran Đorđević, and the gathering was greeted by the President of the Serbian Philatelic Federation, Nikola Ljubičić, the President of the European Philatelic Academy, Petar Suhadolc and the advisor to the president of the Republic of Serbia Dejan Savić.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore 600 showcases of philatelic exhibits, organized into 11 competitive classes. Awards were presented to the top exhibitors at the 'Palmares' ceremony, held in the grand hall of the Hotel Majestic. Specially designed medals were awarded, cast and gilded, featuring the Balkanfila logo on the front, along with the date and location of the event, while the back featured the emblem of Balkanfila in Belgrade, inspired by the city's panorama transforming into a postage stamp.

Moreover, the prestigious "Grand Prix" went to Joseph Hackmey from Turkey, for his collection titled " Ottoman Post Offices in the former FPR of Yugoslavia". This award for the best exhibit, titled "Azbuka" and created by the artist Petar Popović Piros, represents the idea of Cyrillic graffiti and belongs to a cycle the author named Cyriffiti. The sculpture represents a unique gift to the Cyrillic script and an incredible fusion of art and culture.

Speakers

Agenda

09:30-18:00

12.10. - Official opening of the exhibition

09:30 - 09:45 - Address by Zoran Đorđević - Acting Director of JP Pošta Srbije

09:45 - 10:00 - Address by Nikola Ljubičić - President of the Association of Philatelists of Serbia

10:00 - 10:15 - Address by Petar Suhadolac - President of the European Philatelic Academy (AEP)

10:15 - 10:30 - Address by Dejan Savić - Advisor to the President of the Republic of Serbia

10:30 - Cocktail

10:00-19:00

13.10. - Exhibition BALKANFILA XIX - Award ceremony - Grand Prix

10.00 - 19.00 Exhibition BALKANFILA XIX

14:15 - 14:45 Presentation: Beyond the norm: Stamps from unusual material, Variussystems

15:00 - 15:30 Presentation: “Serbs and French in North Africa 1916-1918”, Prof. Milan Radovanović, PhD

15:45 - 16:15 Presentation: Collection of postage stamps of the Adligat Society, Viktor Lazić

16:30 - 17:00 Presentation: 100 years of existence and work of the PTT museum

17:15 - 17:45 Presentation: Diplomatic stamps of the Post of Serbia, Srbijamarka

19.00 - 23.00 Palmares - Award ceremony - Grand Prix

10:00-18:00

14.10. - Exhibition BALKANFILA XIX

10.00 - 18.00 Exhibition BALKANFILA XIX

12:00 - 12:30 Presentation: “Propaganda war against Serbia in the Great War”, Prof. Milan Radovanović, PhD

12:45 - 13:15 Presentation: Collection of postage stamps of the Museum of Aviation

13:30 - 14:00 Presentation: Contemporary philately of Serbia, Srbijamarka

14:15 - 14:45 Presentation: The most important events in the PTT museum

15:00 - 15:30 Presentation: Crypto stamp: how to bring philately into the 21st century, Variussystems

18.00 Closing of the exhibition

Photo and video gallery

Central Military Club

Central Military Club

Central Military Club, also known as the Warrior's House, is a building located in Belgrade, Serbia. It is situated at 19 Braca Jugovic Street. This monumental building serves as the headquarters of the Serbian Army and is involved in various activities, primarily focused on providing information and education to the members of the Serbian Army and the civilian sector through numerous cultural events. These events include exhibitions, concerts, book promotions, panel discussions, lectures, and more. The House's premises are also used for hosting receptions, conferences, seminars, presentations, fairs, business meetings, cocktail parties, balls, and fashion shows.

The construction of the House was completed in 1931 according to the project designed by professors and architects Jovan Jovanovic and Zivojin Piperski. The Palace was built in the modern style with elements of expressionism. The land for the construction of the House was donated by the Belgrade City Administration as a gift to former warriors. The Warrior's House was built thanks to voluntary contributions from members of the National Defense and financial assistance from patrons of King Alexander the Unifier.

In addition to its military purpose, the Warrior's House accommodated numerous cultural associations that promoted patriotism and fostered good relations between the military and the civilian population, or the civilian sector. The most active associations included the Association of Reserve Officers and Warriors, the Volunteer Association, Sokolska Matica, Jadranska Straza, the Society of Friends of France, and more. Part of the building was designated for the stay of guests from the interior. The hotel-like character of the Warrior's House was further enhanced by an extension towards Simina Street.

The Warrior's House has two wings: one constructed between 1929 and 1932, facing Braca Jugovic Street, and the other extended in 1939, facing Simina Street, Francuska Street, and Emilijana Josimovica Street.

Following the invasion and occupation of the homeland in April 1941, the building was used by the German occupation authorities. In August 1941, it became the headquarters of the Gestapo for the entire Balkans. After the war, on the first anniversary of Victory Day, May 9, 1946, the House of the Yugoslav Army (Dom JA) was officially established. The first post-war commander and chief of the House was Professor, Colonel, academic painter, and graphic artist Branko Shotra. In the Army's House, the JSD Partizan was also founded. In 1984, based on the decision of the Belgrade City Assembly, the Palace was declared a cultural monument. Since 2010, the House has become the headquarters of the Media Center "Odbrana" and the artistic ensemble "Stanislav Binicki."

Belgrade

Belgrade

Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the rivers Sava and Danube, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkan Peninsula. The urban area of Belgrade has a population of 1.23 million, while nearly 1.7 million people live within the administrative limits of the City of Belgrade. Its name means “white city.” One of the most important prehistoric cultures of Europe, the Vinča culture, evolved within the Belgrade area in the 6th millennium BC. Throughout history, Belgrade was conquered several times. Due to its perilous strategic position, the city has taken part in over 115 wars and been destroyed 44 times. It has been the capital of Serbia since 1405 and it was the capital of Yugoslavia from its creation in 1918 to its dissolution.

Sponsors

Public Enterprise

Public Enterprise "Pošta Srbije"

Public Enterprise "Pošta Srbije" has been one of the most significant business systems in our country for nearly two centuries. This is not only because it possesses the largest infrastructure and logistics network covering the entire territory of the Republic of Serbia but primarily due to the quality and accessibility of the services it provides and the corporate and social responsibility it demonstrates at all times.

All 15,000 employees of Public Enterprise Serbian Post, through their work and dedication, responsibility, and willingness to continuously educate themselves and acquire new knowledge, skills, and competencies, prove every day that we are leaders in the postal traffic and services sector. We are also a credible and successful business system capable of practically implementing even the most demanding projects in all logistics and financial services. Furthermore, we are always open to embracing new technologies and implementing innovations in this field.

Serbian Post is a powerful, technically and technologically equipped, and networked system capable of responding quickly, efficiently, and effectively to all changes in the market of postal traffic services of all kinds and financial transactions. It is always oriented towards the specific needs of its customers, whether they are individuals, citizens, large economic systems, or the needs of the state and its authorities.

The quality of our services, verified by numerous domestic and international awards, social responsibility in business, which we continuously demonstrate through various forms of active participation in actions of broader social significance, constant care for our employees, their labor and socio-economic status, along with their continuous improvement and education, make us especially proud. However, they also obligate us to further enhance and improve the positive business results we achieve daily, to the satisfaction of all users of our services.