AHEPA Commemorative Stamp

An Hommage to Hellenism: Canada Post honours AHEPA with a stamp

Ottawa - Celebrating a long and honourable tradition of education and philanthropy, Canada Post today issued a commemorative stamp recognizing the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association in Canada. The stamp unveiling was the focal point of a gala dinner this evening on Parliament Hill, as more than 300 guests gathered to mark Greek Independence Day and enjoy a cultural program of Hellenic origin. The Honourable David Collenette, Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for Canada Post, accompanied by the Honourable André Ouellet, President and CEO of Canada Post, and Ms. Eleni Bakopanos, MP (Ahuntsic), unveiled the stamp.

Minister Collenette noted the stamp acknowledges the contribution of the organization throughout Canada. "AHEPA's work is an inspiration to other cultures. I commend the association for its ability to build new relationships through philanthropy and fellowship, while retaining and strengthening the Hellenic identity and heritage."

The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) was founded in the United States in 1922 to help Greek men adjust to life in America, and to encourage loyalty and patriotism to their new home without sacrificing their Hellenic identity and heritage. The fraternal order spread to Canada in 1928. The largest Greek-American organization, AHEPA has approximately 450 chapters around the world, including 14 in Canada. Canadian membership is approximately 1500 strong in its four organizations: AHEPA, Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena.

The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Greek culture through education, philanthropy, civic responsibility, and family and individual excellence. AHEPA Canada promotes a mutual understanding of Greek and Canadian cultures and encourages members to participate in the civic and philanthropic activities of their communities and country. In Canada, the organization donates more than $300,000 a year toward education and charities at the local, national and international levels.

André Ouellet, President and CEO of Canada Post, said the stamp recognizes an important aspect of Canadian multiculturalism. "Canada Post is a strong proponent of Canada's rich multicultural mosaic. We have long been committed to promoting and celebrating the cultural diversity that is woven into the very fabric of our society."

The stamp's inception was a collaboration between Eleni Bakopanos, Member of Parliament (Ahuntsic) and Assistant Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, Xenophon Scoufaras, past President of AHEPA Canada, and Frank Antoniou, District Governor of AHEPA in Eastern Canada. "It's the first time in Canada Post's history that a commemorative stamp is issued recognizing a Greek Organization in Canada," said Ms. Bakopanos. "This is an honour not only for AHEPA but also for all Canadians of Hellenic origin."

The stamp was designed by Kosta (Gus) Tsetsekas and John Belisle of Signals design Group, Vancouver. Recent stamps by Signals Design Group include the Corals joint issue with Hongkong Post, and the Aboriginal Art Christmas stamps, both from the 2002 program. The stamp design features a figure releasing a bird in an artwork style that is similar to that seen on ancient Greek pottery. The bird, a metaphor of the journey many Greeks and other immigrants take to reach Canada, carries a maple leaf and olive branch in its beak as a symbol of the intertwining of the two cultures and societies.

The stamp measures 32mm x 39.65mm, and is sold in panes of 16 stamps. It was printed by Canadian Bank Note using six-colour lithography and P.V.A. gum, on Tullis Russell Coatings paper. The AHEPA stamp is general tagged on all four sides and has 13+ perforations. The Official First Day Cover reads Montréal QC.

The stamp was designed by Kosta (Gus) Tsetsekas and John Belisle of Signals design Group, Vancouver. The stamp design features a figure releasing a bird in an artwork style that is similar to that seen on ancient Greek pottery. The bird, a metaphor of the journey many Greeks and other immigrants take to reach Canada, carries a maple leaf and olive branch in its beak as a symbol of the intertwining of the two cultures and societies.

Source: http://www.ahepacanada.org/archives/ahepa_commemorative_stamp.html

The stamp was designed by Kosta (Gus) Tsetsekas and John Belisle of Signals design Group, Vancouver. The stamp design features a figure releasing a bird in an artwork style that is similar to that seen on ancient Greek pottery. The bird, a metaphor of the journey many Greeks and other immigrants take to reach Canada, carries a maple leaf and olive branch in its beak as a symbol of the intertwining of the two cultures and societies.