Joint Issue Stamp Indonesia-Slovakia

September 27,2006 is the historical date for Indonesia and Slovak. Coinciding with celebration of the 61rd Indonesia Post and Telecommunication. Anniversary, both country issuing The Joint Issue Stamp Indonesia-Slovak. This Joint Issue Stamps is the first to be conducted between the two countries, and Slovakia is the first country in Europe with whom has Joint Issue Stamps.

On the stamps, there will be the famous figure of the Indonesian and Slovakia traditional Puppet. The Wayang (Indonesia Puppet) figure of Semar is on the Indonesia stamp, while Slovakia stamp shows the figure of Gasparko.

In this event, Pos Indonesia laso issues First Day Cover and uncut Souvenir Sheet Special Edition.

About Semar
Semar or Sang Hyang Ismoyo is the brother of the supreme god-Guru. He is assigned to lived in the earth to escort ksatrias. Figures of Semar and Ponokawan are purely Javanese Wayang. The words of Semar are from sengsem (to lure) and Marsudi (to search,to do. The other names of Semar are 1. Badranaya = Badra means dark cloud;Naya means face. with dark face).As a clever man, one has to have a bright face (happy,do not appear with dark face). 2. Bojagati : boja (food)symbolyzing knowledge, gati (real,true) meaning a true and correct knowledge. So, its meant a wise man always teaches a true and correct lesson.
White tufted hair ( Kuncung Putih)
Kuncung : tufted of hair above forehead
Putih : white
Semar with kuncung putih indicates that he is a wise man, a perfect meditator.
White face of Semar Symbolizing a teacher with a kind and honest face, his pupils shall follow all his instruction because they are afraid of him.
one tooth of Semar means a teacher should speak only of the truth. Black body of Semar means "Dont do anything wrong to achieve your goals".

Semar is one of the clowns in the wayang Golek tradition. His head and tongue move and his tongue sticks out as the wires are manipulated. The wayang has a strong tradition in the world of Java and Indonesia, representing the struggle between good and evil. This puppet is on a base and stands a little over 69cm. it can be removed from the base and both the head and arms can be moved. It has very finely detailed carvings on the head, with vivid color and detailed paintings. The body is decorated in Sarung. Each puppet is individually made by hand making each unique. They are made for the artists who make the puppets for Asep Sunarya (puppet master)who performs worldwide. These are Indonesia's finest and can be enjoyed by children adults alike.

About Gasparko

Various comical puppet characters that in Europe can be traced back as far as the 13th 14 th centuries culminate in a single figure a middle age clown. After the rise of the commedie dell'arte tradition in 14th century in Italy,the clown finds its way into several European countries and quickly adapts to local conditions. each nation adds something from its natural character, environment, and education

In Slovakia, Gasparko ( Silly Billy) became the most tupical character of traditional puppet theater. Of all his European brothers, Gasparko is the most lyrical, most delicate, least vulgar, and has a sense for justice. That in Slovakia Gasparko is depicted as a bandit or redresser of injustice may be the result of the long-term oppression of the Slovak nation where consolation was found only in dreams about heroism. Consequently, he was metamorphosed from the originally comic figure of a gnome into a little naughty boy.

Gasparko performed in almost every traditional puppet theatre performance. Mostly as a houseman, often as a clown or a squire, later as a wanderer, roamer, and tradesman. His partners related to his persona : a king, a knight, a prince, a princess, a witch, a magician, devils, watermen,dragons, and the Deaths. His wife is called Zabinka ( Little Frog) and their horse is Misko, together they provide entertainment up to this time.

The puppet of Gasparko pictured on the stamp is 48 cm tall, carved from limewood, and dressed in the textile. Its creator is F.Ilcik and its was made for the puppeteer Bohuslav Anderle in 1936 for his set of a big puppets. This puppet belongs to the private collection of Anton Anderle.

My collecting : 2 pieces FDC