Ceramics in an envelope: a postage stamp with plots by Olga Rapai-Markish was released
On August 1, 2023, the Lesya Ukrainka National Academic Drama Theater hosted a significant cultural event - a ceremonial presentation and special cancellation of a postage stamp dedicated to the work of the outstanding Ukrainian ceramist Olga Rapai-Markish. For the first time in the history of Ukrainian philately, the fine art of this artist has been in the spotlight — not in a museum hall, but in the format of a miniature work of art that is now traveling the world on envelopes and postcards.
The postage stamp was created based on fragments of ceramic panels by Olga Rapai, which previously decorated the interior of the Kiev hotel "Bratislava". These works, full of emotions, fabulous images and extraordinary color, were considered lost for a long time. Only through the efforts of artists, museum workers and restorers were some of the works saved and returned to the public space — in particular, in the form of expositions within the framework of the exhibition project "The Power of Fragility".
The presentation of the stamp took place within the walls of the theater, where Olga Rapai once worked on creating the interior, so the event also had a deeply symbolic dimension. The ceremony was attended by representatives of "Ukrposhta", art historians, cultural figures and the artist's family. The atmosphere of the event combined solemnity with nostalgia, because it was not just about the postage stamp, but about paying tribute to the great artist who left a unique mark on the visual culture of Ukraine.
The special cancellation — a traditional ceremony in philately — marked the official launch of the stamp into circulation. The first envelopes with the new stamp, stamped with a special cancellation with the date of the event, have already become collectibles. The stamp was issued in a limited edition and aroused interest among both philatelists and connoisseurs of Ukrainian decorative art.
This project is not only a tribute to the memory of Olga Rapai-Markish, but also an example of how the national post office can become a conductor of cultural heritage. Thanks to a small rectangle of paper with a reproduction of art, people will learn about Olga Rapai far beyond museums and theaters — perhaps even in the most remote corners of the world.
