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Folk Customs - Carrying the Lesola
Catalogue Number:  287
Stamp Design:  Marián Čapka
Stamp Engraving:  Miloą Ondráček
Date of Issue:  March 10, 2003
Printing:  Postal Stationery Printing House, Prague, Czech Republic
Print Technology:  Rotary-recess printing combined with recess printing
Size of Impression:  30.0 mm x 23.0 mm
Print Run:  3,000,000 pieces
FDC Design:  Marián Čapka
FDC Engraving:  Miloą Ondráček
Cancellation Design:  Marián Čapka
FDC Printing:  TAB, Ltd., Bratislava
FDC Print Technology:  Recess printing from flat plates
FDC Print Run:  6,000


Easter customs in Slovakia go back as far as pre-Christian times. On Palm Sunday plenty of spring rites were carried out to celebrate the coming of spring after the long winter season. In western Slovakia girls and children were singing and marching carrying green twigs. The twig, called "lesola", was decorated with painted Easter eggs and colored ribbons. Sometimes it was adorned with paper, straw chains and bird figures called "krąák". These figures were made from paper and Easter egg's shells.
The stamp depicts a girl wearing a folk costume from Vajnory area carrying the lesola as a symbol spring season and blossom of nature.
Although the folk traditions are not so widespread anymore, they are still preserved by the folklore groups inspired by the folk songs.

(from various sources)


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