THE TIMBER RAFTERS OF THE GAUJA RIVER

[aukepalmhof]

On April 12, 2024, Latvijas Pasts issues a stamp and an envelope dedicated to Latvia's intangible cultural heritage - the rafters of Gauja.
The new stamp depicts six tree floats on the background of the landscape of the ancient valley of Gauja. A dedication to the craft skills of the Gauja rafters is complemented by an envelope. The author of the design of the philatelic issues is the artist Įrts Griva.

The face value of the newly created stamp is 1.88 euros. It is intended for shipments in the weight category up to 20 grams to countries in group 12. The postage stamp has been issued in a circulation of 25,000 copies, while the envelope - 500.
The craft skills of the Gauja rafters have a history as old as the Gauja waterway. It is known that in the 19th century, rafting was a favorite spring work of Vidzeme farmers. The logs entwined in rafts were floated from the top of Gauja to Carnikava. Gauja rafts used to be 8.5 meters wide and up to 95 meters long. Gauja rafters needed experience and skill to skillfully take them past the many Gauja islands, shoals and rocks, through sharp bends, over rapids and gravel.

In the 20th century, the rafts in Gauja were slowly replaced by the more economically advantageous floating of timber. In 1996, the tradition was revived by starting an annual raft tying and floating along the Gauja River to Strenči.
In 2018, the craft skills of the Gauja rafters were included in the Latvian National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, while in 2022, the element "Tree rafting", which is also represented by the craft skills of the Gauja rafters, was included in the representative list of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

 https://veikals.pasts.lv/ .
Latvia 2024 1.88 Euro sg?, Scott?