About the Stamp
Estonia and Brazil are jointly issuing vector graphic stamps to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries. The rectangular stamp features the Itamaraty Palace in Brasília which was designed by the world-famous architect Oscar Niemeyer and houses the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, as well as the building of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tallinn, designed by the architects Mart Port, Raine Karp, Uno Tölpus, and Olga Kontšajeva. Even though the two buildings are separated by more than 10,500 km, they are connected, in addition to the warm relations, by their green and beautiful surroundings, which are referred to in the design of the stamps. The colourful and joyous design symbolises the multi-layered cultures and the rich nature of the countries. The national flags waving in the lively samba rhythm add to the festive mood of the stamp. Computer graphics technique was utilized.
Joint Issue Brazil – Estonia
Brazil, already independent nation for almost 100 years at that time, recognized the independence of the Republic of Estonia on December 5, 1921. This year, 2021, is therefore one hundred years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Estonia and Federative Republic of Brazil. Over the years, our relationship has grown closer, as demonstrated by cooperation in various fields as well as by cultural and social ties.
Just to mention some highlights of Brazilian-Estonian relations over a hundred years.
- On 22 September 1921, Brazil voted in favour of Estonia’s accession to the League of Nations.
- In 1932, a trade agreement between Brazil and Estonia was signed in Paris. - Brazil re-recognized Estonia’s independence on September 4, 1991, after decades of Soviet occupation. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were restored on December 16, 1991.
- In 2006, the agreement on co-operation in the field of tourism between Estonia and Brazil entered into force, as well as the agreement on cultural, educational and scientific co-operation between Estonia and Brazil.
- Estonian Foreign minister Urmas Paet visited Brazil in 2008 and 2014, Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Amorim’s official visit to Estonia took place in 2012.
- On January 29, 2020, Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid visited Brazilian research station Comandante Ferraz in Antarctica.
- There have been many contacts in the field of culture. Estonian literature has been translated in Brazil (Oskar Luts), Brazilian writers have been translated into Estonian (Jorge Amado, Monteiro Lobato). In June of this year, a prose translation of the Estonian epic Kalevipoeg was published in Santa Catarina.
- In 2009, a friendly football match took place in Tallinn between the national teams of Estonia and Brazil.
An important step in the development of diplomatic relations was the opening of embassies in accordance with the reciprocity agreement. The Brazilian Embassy in Tallinn was opened in 2011 and the Estonian Embassy in Brasília in 2014. Brazil has one honorary consul in Estonia, and Estonia has as many as four honorary consuls in Brazil, due to the large scale of the country.
First Estonians arrived in Brazil at the end of the 19th century. A larger number of Estonians immigrated to Brazil in three groups: the first group arrived in 1917-1918 at the invitation of the Brazilian government; they were paid for the trip and donated land by the state. The second group arrived in 1924-1925 under similar conditions. The third group arrived after World War II. Today, about 500 Estonian citizens live in Brazil.
Brazilian citizens have discovered Estonia as a country to live and work in in this century. Currently, several hundred Brazilians live and work in Estonia, many of whom are busy in the field of information and communication technology.
Mutual tourism grew steadily, until the travel restrictions caused by the pandemic of Covid-19. This trend will certainly continue in the future if it is possible to travel more freely again.
The joint postage stamp of Brazil and Estonia presented today to mark the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries depicts the buildings of the foreign ministries of both countries and is another step in the growing and expanding relations between Brazil and Estonia.
Mart Tarmak
Ambassador of Estonia to Brazil
Technical Details
Stamp issue N. 21
Art: Indrek Ilves - Estonia Post
Print system: offset
Paper: gummed chalky paper
Sheet with 12 stamps
Facial value: R$ 4.95
Issue: 120,000 stamps
Design area: 54 x 20mm
Stamp dimensions: 59 x 25mm
Perforation: 11,5 x 12
Date of issue: November 10th , 2021
Place of issue: Brasília/DF
Printing: Brazilian Mint