LibanPost’s championing of Lebanese culture at home and abroad.
As the national postal company of Lebanon, LibanPost is a facilitator for the shipping needs of all Lebanese, both at home and within the diaspora. Founded in 1996, the company is known as a pioneer for its efforts in rehabilitating the country’s destroyed postal infrastructure and later expanding into governmental service facilitation, currently delivering two million formalities annually on behalf of citizens to 12 different ministries. And through LibanPost’s commemorate stamp collections, this versatile company is quickly becoming synonymous with something else: a promoter of Lebanese culture and history worldwide.
A postal stamp serves as so much more than simply a government duty used to send mail domestically or abroad. Stamps are also pieces of art that bear images intrinsically related to the soul of their country of origin, leading them to be popular collectable cultural souvenirs. With four of its latest commemorative stamp collections, LibanPost, a private company (or a PPP modelled company), is taking the leading in championing pride and interest in Lebanon’s rich history and diverse culture.
Women Pioneers
LibanPost sought to trumpet the important contribution of Lebanese women in the country’s history with their “Pioneering Women” collection. The stamps featured six of the country’s ‘‘first timers’’, including the first woman Member of Parliament (Myrna al- Boustany) government ministers (Leila el-Solh Hamadeh and Wafaa el-Dika Hamza), lawyer (Nina Trad), medical graduate from the American University of Beirut (Adma Ilyas Abu Shadid) and engineer to join the Syndicate (Saniyyah Zaytoun). The stamps were debuted in a ceremony organized in conjunction with the American University of Beirut and attended by Lebanon’s Minister of Women’s Affairs Jean Ogasapian, who used the occasion to advocate for the increased participation of women in decision-making across all institutions.
Lebanon’s Top Explorer
LibanPost’s third recently released collection honored adventurer Maxime Chaya in recognition of his exploration achievements in the name of Lebanon. In 2006, Chaya planted the Lebanese flag on Mount Everest after completing the Seven Summits Challenge. The daredevil later went on to complete the Three Poles Challenge, a rowing voyage across the Indian Ocean from Australia to Mauritius, and, in a world first, a cycling journey across the Empty Quarter of the Arabian Peninsula.
Chaya’s drive and exploits around the world serve as a perfect representation for the universal nature and global reach of LibanPost, and of the success Lebanese communities have achieved in every far-flung corner of the globe.
Cultural Treasures
Debuting in late May in celebration of International Museum Day, Libanpost’s latest commemorative stamp collection highlighted three of Lebanon’s top cultural exhibitions: the National Museum (archaeology), Mim Museum (minerals) and Sursock Museum (modern and contemporary art). The stamps display just a small fraction of the rich history and works of art on display at these museums, all located in the capital Beirut, and hope to promote increased patronage of institutions that foster interest in Lebanese heritage and culture.
Heroes of Independence
On the occasion of Lebanese Independence Day, LibanPost debuted 15 postal stamps featuring the founding fathers of the Lebanese Republic. These historical icons, who struggled together to end the French Mandate and establish an independent country, serve as an example of what can be achieved when Lebanese work together in unity toward a common goal. The collection not only celebrates and preserves Lebanon’s history, but also acts as an educational tool to help the country’s younger generations and diaspora learn about the achievements of their forefathers.
Education for a Brighter Future
With LibanPost handing 20 million shipments and 2,000 tons of mail annually, stamps are sent across all of Lebanon and serve as a gateway to connect the Lebanese homeland with expatriate communities worldwide.
Within this large audience, LibanPost’s stamps serve as a source of pride and a tool to enhance awareness surrounding Lebanon’s history and culture. The educational aspect within the commemorative stamps is a noble service to all Lebanese, generating interest in Lebanon’s past among the country’s youth and members of the diaspora. It is only through education and a respect for the achievements of the past that societies can work toward building a brighter future, and here in Lebanon, the country’s favorite mailman has become an invaluable teacher.
