Solar eclipse makes stamp debut

On Wednesday, August 12, the sun and moon will perform one of nature's most mythical theatrical performances: a total solar eclipse, which will move in a narrow band from Siberia over the North Pole, Northeast Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal to Mallorca. In Greenland, the solar eclipse will begin in Pearyland towards the Arctic Ocean and end on the Blosseville Coast between Ittoqqortoormiit and Tasiilaq.

On the day itself, the national postal service Tusass will mark the fascinating celestial spectacle with a stamp, which is one of the 24 issues of the year. The task has been entrusted to Malene Guldager Olsen, born 1970 in Nuuk, who will make her stamp debut.

Malene Guldager Olsen is educated as a typographer at the now defunct Sydgrønlands Bogtrykkeri, and she worked as a graphic designer at Det grønlandske Forlag, Sermitsiaq, Brugseni and Tele Greenland.

Malene Guldager Olsen was employed at Sermitsiaq from 1996-2000, where in 1997 she layouted a cover with Queen Margrethe, who had to interrupt a tour of Greenland due to a bad knee. The cover showed a b/w photo of the Queen on her way into the helicopter in Nanortalik, and the text was one huge »Baaj». Malene's layout won a Nordic award for best cover.

In 2010-13 she trained as a visual artist in painting and sculpture at Aarhus Art Academy, and she has since worked at Det grønlandske Hus in Copenhagen, Kofoed Skole in Copenhagen and Aarhus and the spice company Kryta in Roskilde.

50th anniversary of Aasivik in Narsaq

This year's stamp program includes many established names. Several series continue: Buuti Pedersen with Greenlandic plants. Ina Rosing with ethnographic photographs. Konrad Nuka Godtfredsen with dog sleds. LisbethKarline Poulsen with everyday heroes.

A new series begins: Christian Fleischer Rex tells the history of kayaking.

Tusass pays tribute to jubilant towns and settlements, but this year it is a tent city. In 1976, the first Aasivik of our time was held in Narsaq; a summer event that left a lasting political and cultural mark. Behind the stamp is Ivínguak' StorkHøegh.

Tusass issues a stamp each year with an added value in favor of a cultural or social purpose. In 2026, it concerns the Armargivat shelter in Tasiilaq, and the stamp is created by yet another debutant, Camilla Nymand Petersen.

Miki Jacobsen pays tribute to the Greenlandic championships in dog sled racing. Bolatta Silis-Høegh creates Greenland's contribution to the annual European stamps. Frederik X visits Greenland in week 8, and in August a stamp with Steen Brogaard's portrait photo of the king will be issued.

The year's program ends, as usual, with two Christmas stamps, created by Paarma Olsvig Brandt, who debuted as a stamp artist in 2020.