SIRACUSA 2025 National and Qualifying Philatelic Exhibition

The Urban Centre of Syracuse hosted the SIRACUSA 2025 National and Qualifying Philatelic Exhibition on 7–8 November 2025, organised by the Federation of Italian Philatelic Societies with the Sicilian Collectors’ Union and the Italian Philatelic Lions Club. The event featured 63 competing collections from 48 exhibitors, including internationally recognised collectors. At the Federation’s invitation, eleven members of the Hellenic Philatelic Federation presented thirteen collections.

During the award ceremony, attended by Syracuse’s Mayor Francesco Italia, five large gold and eighteen gold medals were bestowed. The Mayor highlighted the cultural value of philately in an era dominated by digital communication, praising stamps as miniature works of art and commending the choice of the Oikos—the city’s earliest sacred building—as the exhibition’s emblem.

The event was attended by Bruno Crevato-Selvaggi, President of the Italian Federation, and Christos Gikas, President of the Hellenic Federation. The jury, chaired by Luca Lavagnino, awarded the Grand Prix, dedicated to the memory of Rosario Occhipinti, to Mario Capuano for his collection on Pierre de Coubertin. Other major recognitions went to Massimiliano Bruno, Giovanni Nembrini and Leonardo Pipitone. A special prize for innovation was given to Aniello Veneri for his study of the rare 100-lire Siracusa stamp, an elusive variant long overlooked within Italy’s most enduring definitive series.

[Summary based on text and photos provided by Leonardo Pipitone]

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