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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https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/siracusa-2025-800a.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2025-11-24 17:41:262025-11-24 17:41:26SIRACUSA 2025 National and Qualifying Philatelic Exhibition
On 14 November in Wiesbaden, the Association Internationale des Journalistes Philatéliques (AIJP) held its annual General Meeting. The occasion marked both a heartfelt farewell to Wolfgang Maassen, who has chaired the AIJP for twenty years, and a warm welcome to Ari Muhonen as the Association’s new leader.
The new six-member Board was elected for a period of four years.
Ari Muhonen, President
Vincent Schouberechts, Vice President
Abhishek Bhuwalka, Vice President
Rainer von Scharpen, Secretary General
Hans Schwarz, Treasurer
Pol Wijnants, Director
Top photo: Abhishek Bhuwalka (left), Hans Schwarz, Ari Muhonen, Vincent Schouberechts, Rainer von Scharpen, and Pol Wijnants.
Bottom photo: Wolfgang Maassen hands over the “alarm clock” to Ari Muhonen.
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https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AIJP_2025-800.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2025-11-22 16:03:182025-11-22 16:06:32Ari Muhonen Succeeds Wolfgang Maassen as AIJP President
Hello philatelic world, hello exhibitors and collectors,
Bratislava calling! A small country in the heart of Europe—Slovakia—has taken on a grand task: to host its very first world stamp exhibition under the patronage of FIP and recognised by FEPA. It will be a specialised exhibition of traditional philately, postal history, thematic philately, philatelic literature, revenue stamps, and postcards, encompassing 1,500 frames. In Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, world-class exhibits will be showcased in the dignified halls of the Slovak National Gallery, alongside treasures of fine art, from 30 June to 4 July 2027. The organisers of SLOVPHILEX 2027 are a seasoned team with a track record of successful exhibitions with international participation.
Bratislava calling! Beneath the majestic castle lies a compact area steeped in history. You’ll feel its presence in the winding streets of the Old Town and when gazing at the golden crown atop the tower of St Martin’s Cathedral, the historic site of coronations for 17 monarchs, including the immortal Empress Maria Theresa. 560 years ago, Matthias Corvinus founded the Academia Istropolitana here, and the city remains Slovakia’s centre of science and education. It is also the heart of the Little Carpathian wine region, whose wines were once enjoyed by emperors and kings. The sparkling wine Chateau Palugyay won the Grand Prix at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris—long before the Grand Prix of FIP exhibitions existed—though philately was already beginning to take root in Bratislava.
Bratislava calling! On the stage of the Slovak National Theatre, the voices of opera stars have echoed and continue to grace the world’s most prestigious opera houses. Bratislava is a city rich in artistic heritage and a joyful place for relaxation in the company of guests from around the world, drawn by its reputation for a welcoming atmosphere. Many figures from global history, science, and culture have known this charm. Paracelsus and Albert Einstein walked its cobblestones, as did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Johann Strauss, Béla Bartók, Hans Christian Andersen, and Sándor Petőfi. Franz Xaver Messerschmidt and Georg Rafael Donner created their fascinating works here. The revered rabbi and scholar Chatam Sofer lived and is buried in Bratislava. And since man does not live by philately or fine wine alone, those interested in the history and culture of Central Europe will find plenty to enjoy in Bratislava’s museums and galleries.
Bratislava calling! The Danube, on whose banks Bratislava lies, connects the city to nearby Vienna in just 90 minutes via regular boat transport. Even faster and more frequent is the connection to Vienna’s Schwechat Airport, which receives flights from around the world—and where many exhibitors, national commissioners, jurors, and philatelists heading to SLOVPHILEX will arrive, unless their flight lands at Bratislava Airport. Bratislava’s hotels—Radisson Blu Carlton, Grandhotel Riverpark, Park Inn by Radisson Danube, and Hotel Devín—located very close to the exhibition venue, will satisfy even the most discerning guests.
And it is above all the Slovak philatelists and organisers of SLOVPHILEX 2027—though not only them—who are looking forward to your visit and your works, dear friends, your exhibition pieces.
…
https://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/slovphilex.jpg800800Costas Chazapishttps://fepanews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fepanews_logo-107x138-1.pngCostas Chazapis2025-11-21 14:16:502025-11-21 14:16:50SLOVPHILEX 2027: Bratislava calling!
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]
…
Ari Muhonen Succeeds Wolfgang Maassen as AIJP President
On 14 November in Wiesbaden, the Association Internationale des Journalistes Philatéliques (AIJP) held its annual General Meeting. The occasion marked both a heartfelt farewell to Wolfgang Maassen, who has chaired the AIJP for twenty years, and a warm welcome to Ari Muhonen as the Association’s new leader.
The new six-member Board was elected for a period of four years.
Top photo: Abhishek Bhuwalka (left), Hans Schwarz, Ari Muhonen, Vincent Schouberechts, Rainer von Scharpen, and Pol Wijnants.
Bottom photo: Wolfgang Maassen hands over the “alarm clock” to Ari Muhonen.
…
SLOVPHILEX 2027: Bratislava calling!
Received from the organisers of SLOVPHILEX 2027.
Hello philatelic world, hello exhibitors and collectors,
Bratislava calling! A small country in the heart of Europe—Slovakia—has taken on a grand task: to host its very first world stamp exhibition under the patronage of FIP and recognised by FEPA. It will be a specialised exhibition of traditional philately, postal history, thematic philately, philatelic literature, revenue stamps, and postcards, encompassing 1,500 frames. In Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava, world-class exhibits will be showcased in the dignified halls of the Slovak National Gallery, alongside treasures of fine art, from 30 June to 4 July 2027. The organisers of SLOVPHILEX 2027 are a seasoned team with a track record of successful exhibitions with international participation.
Bratislava calling! Beneath the majestic castle lies a compact area steeped in history. You’ll feel its presence in the winding streets of the Old Town and when gazing at the golden crown atop the tower of St Martin’s Cathedral, the historic site of coronations for 17 monarchs, including the immortal Empress Maria Theresa. 560 years ago, Matthias Corvinus founded the Academia Istropolitana here, and the city remains Slovakia’s centre of science and education. It is also the heart of the Little Carpathian wine region, whose wines were once enjoyed by emperors and kings. The sparkling wine Chateau Palugyay won the Grand Prix at the 1900 World Exhibition in Paris—long before the Grand Prix of FIP exhibitions existed—though philately was already beginning to take root in Bratislava.
Bratislava calling! On the stage of the Slovak National Theatre, the voices of opera stars have echoed and continue to grace the world’s most prestigious opera houses. Bratislava is a city rich in artistic heritage and a joyful place for relaxation in the company of guests from around the world, drawn by its reputation for a welcoming atmosphere. Many figures from global history, science, and culture have known this charm. Paracelsus and Albert Einstein walked its cobblestones, as did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Johann Strauss, Béla Bartók, Hans Christian Andersen, and Sándor Petőfi. Franz Xaver Messerschmidt and Georg Rafael Donner created their fascinating works here. The revered rabbi and scholar Chatam Sofer lived and is buried in Bratislava. And since man does not live by philately or fine wine alone, those interested in the history and culture of Central Europe will find plenty to enjoy in Bratislava’s museums and galleries.
Bratislava calling! The Danube, on whose banks Bratislava lies, connects the city to nearby Vienna in just 90 minutes via regular boat transport. Even faster and more frequent is the connection to Vienna’s Schwechat Airport, which receives flights from around the world—and where many exhibitors, national commissioners, jurors, and philatelists heading to SLOVPHILEX will arrive, unless their flight lands at Bratislava Airport. Bratislava’s hotels—Radisson Blu Carlton, Grandhotel Riverpark, Park Inn by Radisson Danube, and Hotel Devín—located very close to the exhibition venue, will satisfy even the most discerning guests.
And it is above all the Slovak philatelists and organisers of SLOVPHILEX 2027—though not only them—who are looking forward to your visit and your works, dear friends, your exhibition pieces.
…