New postage stamp issued: Dedicated to Lithuanian culinary heritage

Lithuania Post has unveiled a new postage stamp dedicated to the country's culinary heritage, this time featuring apple cheese. The selection of apple cheese was made by the public through a vote held last summer, where it was chosen from three traditional Lithuanian culinary products.

Among the contenders for the stamp's imagery were skilandis, a type of smoked sausage, and gira, a popular fermented beverage. The final decision to feature apple cheese highlights its significance in Lithuanian culture. Aušrutė Varnienė, head of philatelic projects at Lietuvos Paštas, stated that postage stamps serve as "small but far-reaching ambassadors of Lithuanian culture." She expressed delight that the public chose the theme for this particular stamp, noting that apple cheese is often associated with Lithuanian autumns, homes, and traditions.

The new stamp has a face value of 1.65 euros and will be issued in a print run of 40,000 copies. This release continues Lietuvos Paštas's tradition of immortalizing Lithuanian culinary heritage on postage stamps. In previous years, stamps have featured other iconic dishes and products such as cepelinai (potato dumplings), šakotis (a traditional spit cake), šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup), varškės sūris (quark cheese), and cucumbers with honey.

The issuance of this stamp serves not only as a philatelic item but also as a cultural promotion, carrying a symbol of Lithuanian culinary identity across the globe via mail and packages. The public's involvement in selecting the featured item underscores the importance of shared cultural traditions in Lithuania.

“

A postage stamp is a small but far-reaching ambassador of Lithuanian culture. That's why it's great that the theme was chosen by the people themselves this time. Apple cheese is inseparable from Lithuanian autumn, home, and traditions for many, and now this symbol of our culinary heritage will travel on letters and packages around the world.