It was Thue Christiansen, artist and retired head clerk of the Greenlandic Home Rule, who – 25 years ago – designed the Greenlandic flag, Erfalasorput. And it is Thue Christiansen himself, who now has created the image for the stamp, which celebrates Greenland’s first 25 years with Erfalasorput.

The stamp is a beautiful graphic composition, printed in offset, with the value DKK 7.00, which is the postal rate for regular air mail letters up to 20 grams in Greenland. Thue Christiansen expressed earlier this year his thoughts and feelings behind the birth of the flag to POST Greenland’s subscriber’s magazine, Greenland Collector: “We were seven Greenlandic artists who were asked to come up with a flag design proposal without a cross. These would then compete with other proposals with crosses. As you know, my proposal won. I received the following letter from Jonathan Motzfeldt, 17th Dec.1985: Information Officer Thue Christiansen On request, I hereby announce that your proposal for the design of the Greenlandic flag was approved by the Greenland Parliament on 14th February 1985 with 14 votes for and 11 votes against.

Subsequently the flag became a hot topic of discussion. But, today, 25 years after the adoption, Erfalasorput/Our Flag has become a popular and respected symbol of Greenland and this warms my heart. Congratulations go to the Greenlandic population on the first 25 years with Erfalasoq / Our Flag.”

Source: Greenland Post http://www.stamps.gl/uk/Nyheder/2010/press_1.5.2010.htm

published June 10th, 2010