The most beautiful 2014 EUROPA stamp competition is now open! And this year's EUROPA theme is "National Musical Instruments". The contest is an annual online event where creative entries from across Europe compete for the best stamp design.

The Malta stamp set depicts musical instruments which were popular in the 19th century. The stamps portray details from the oil painting of the renowned Italian artist Girolamo Gianni who was active in Malta in the latter part of the 19th century. The musical instruments featured in the painting are the bagpipe and drum which are performed by musicians at Valletta's Porta Reale.

MaltaPost invites the public to support and vote for the Malta stamp on www.posteurop.org/europa2014. The online competition will end on 31 August 2014 and the winning stamps will be announced on 24 September 2014 in San Marino.

Download Press Release in pdf