Message from Mr. GUO Hongchang, Mayor of
Luoyang Municipal People¡¯s Government
Under the patronage of Federation of International Philately (FIP), China 2009 World Stamp Exhibition will be held in Luoyang, a famous historical and cultural city in China. Luoyang is the birthplace of Heluo culture and the cradle of Yellow River civilization. With more than 5,000 years¡¯ history of civilization, 4,000 years¡¯ history of city and 1,500 years¡¯ history of capital, Luoyang is a world-known ancient city with a long history as Athens and Babylon. There were 13 dynasties successively set their capitals here, which make Luoyang become a city as the earliest capital with the most numerous dynasties and the longest period in Chinese history. With long history and splendid culture, beautiful mountains and pleasant climate, it is full of cultural relics and historic sites as many as stars and is dotted with tourist scenic spots. The people here are diligent, kind and enthusiastic. The Longmen Grottoes as one of the world cultural heritages, the White Horse Temple known as ¡°Birthplace of Buddhism Sect¡± and ¡°Origin of Sakyamuni¡± of East Asia Buddhism and the Guanlin Monastery as the tomb of Guan Yu, an ancient Chinese martial saint, all of which have attracted a flood of tourists from all over the world every year.
The long history, profound culture and unique charm of the city bred up the postal and philatelic activities in the early period of Chinese history. As early as the East Han Dynasty, poems like ¡°Guests from afar, presenting me two carp¡± were produced, which vividly reflected the early postal activities. From the birth of the first stamp in the world, Luoyang people are more and more enthusiastic about the art of stamps after a century¡¯s development. With the help of stamps of historical culture, relic sites and peony, the philatelic culture has formed a wonderful contrast to the unique local culture in Luoyang. Activities, such as the creation, issuance, selection and collection of stamps are developing with vigor and enthusiasm.
Stamps are the fruits of people¡¯s best wishes and artistic creativity; philatelic activities are the re-creation of the artistic fruits by people with their unique aesthetic conception; philatelic exhibition is a magnificent cultural assembly to show the artistic aesthetic judgment and creativity of people from all over the world. The art of stamps has leapt over space and time, mingled and unified the cultural art from every country and region. The philatelic exhibition has surpassed the boundaries and brought together philatelic lovers from all over the world. China 2009 World Stamp Exhibition will be held in Luoyang, which is sure to form a wonderful contrast between profound historical culture and philatelic culture and burst out in radiant splendor. We¡¯ll make the best of all the people of our city to hold the most successful world stamp exhibition.
Five continents are connected by delicate stamps. Let¡¯s meet guests and friends with stamps as ¡°media¡±. You are warmly welcomed by Luoyang, a profound, generous, civilized, opening and creative city! Your patronage is sure to enhance our understanding, strengthen our friendship and make the world stamp exhibition more brilliant and splendid.
 
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