EFIRO 2008 Romania

Exhibition Report by John Dibiase, Australian Commissioner

EFIRO 2008 was held in Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, between the 20 -27th June.  The 70th FIP Congress was held on the following day.  A strong contingent of some 15 Australians attended and enjoyed this World FIP Stamp Exhibition.  This was the first World Stamp Exhibition under the patronage of FIP to be held in Romania and it celebrated 150 years since the issue of the first Romanian postage stamps.

Over 4000 frames were allocated for this world class exhibition attracting exhibits from all corners of the globe, so much so that 77 Commissioners plus their assistants were required to carry the multitude of collections.  According to the official Jury Report, EFIRO 2008 has been one of the highest standards in the world as shown by the fact that 172 exhibits received a Gold or Large Gold medal.  A UPU Members Postal Administrations Competition was also held between 23 member countries.  Only 3 medals were awarded, Gold, Silver (Australia) and Bronze.

Long queues formed outside the Court of Honour where outstanding collections such as Queen Elizabeth II selection of early Great Britain were displayed under tight security.  Security was a paramount feature at the Show.  Visitors were screened as they entered through the main entrance and passes had to be shown to enable entry into official areas.

A bus shuttle service provided transport between the official hotel, Phoenicia Grand Hotel and the venue, Romexpo International Exhibition Centre for Commissioners and Jurors.  Towards the end of the exhibition, the Organizing Committee arranged an excursion to Prahova Valley in Transylvania and yes, we were greeted mysteriously in the castle by Dracula himself.  The EFIRO Organizing Committee is to be congratulated on their high level of proficiency.

Fourteen exhibits totaling 69 frames from Australia received very good to excellent awards as shown in the table below.  Three 'special prizes' were also awarded. These were Arthur Gray for his KGV Commemorative and Pictorial Issues of Australia; Brian Pope for his One Frame 'The Half-Penny Postage Stamps of Western Australia' and Australia Post 'Selected Australian Stamps', this exhibit was put together by Richard Breckon.

For the record, the Grand Prix EFIRO 2008 was awarded to Sayeed (United Arab Emirates) for the exhibit, India 1852-55, 'The Scinde District Dawk, Lithograph Issues and Usages'.  Grand Prix International winner was Mark Lorentzen with his exhibit 'Across the Danish Border' and the Grand Prix National award went to Joseph Hackmey for 'Classical Romania'.

I wish to add that Linda Lee (Assistant Commissioner) and I enjoyed the commissioner's role and the challenges that we experienced.

Australian Exhibitor Results

+SP  denotes Special Prize

John Dibiase	Great Britain, Penny Black Plates  [5 frames - Traditional]	Large Vermeil [88]
Daryl Kibble	Angelic Beings - Our Story  [5 frames - Thematics]	Large Vermeil [88]
Ian McMahon	New Zealand Postal Stationery QV - KGV  [5 frames - Postal Stationery]	Large Vermeil [86]
Derek Pocock	Fee Stamps of WA Govt. Railways  [5 frames - Revenues]	Vermeil [81]
Brian Pope	The Half-Penny Postage Stamp of WA  [1 frame]	Gold [94] +SP
John Sinfield	Republic of Panama Postal Stationery  [5 frames - Postal Stationery]	Gold [92]
Glen Stafford	Nicaragua Airmails - The Early Years  [5 frames - Traditional]	Vermeil [81]
Jeff & Yvette Trinidad	Latvia - The Republic Period 12918-22  [5 frames - Traditional]	Large Silver [78]
Ross Wood	Flying Boats over the Pacific  [5 frames - Aerophilately]	Vermeil [83]
Arthur Gray	KGV Commemorative Issues of Australia  [8 frames - Traditional]	Gold [94] +SP
Malcolm Groom	Australian External Airmails to 1945  [5 frames - Postal History]	Large Vermeil [85]
Linda Lee	Flower Magic  [5 frames - Thematics]	Large Vermeil [88]
Kevin Nelson	Australia Commonwealth Postal Rates 1901-41  [8 frames - Postal History]	Gold [90]
Australia Post [R Breckon]	UPU Member Countries Competition  [2 frames]	Silver [77] +SP

[ Journal Coverage: APF News, July 2008 ]