World Judo Championship stamp from France
The World Judo Championships will be held from 24 to 28 August 2011 at Bercy, Paris. The French Post has joined this event by issuing a semi panoramic stamp illustrating three different takes of the discipline and the Japanese ideogram meaning "the gentle way".
Judo is, nowadays, one of the most popular sporting activities in France. Martial art and combat sport of Japanese origin consist mainly of projection techniques, self-control, throttling, dislocation and immobilization.
Train of Pignes
The French Post has launched a stamp dedicated to the still functioning steam train of Pignes. The Railways of Provence, formerly "Railways of the South of France", is made up of three rail networks. One of them, the network of the Alps, was one of the lines between Nice and Digne-les-Bains and was completed in 1911. Now it is the only remained in operation in this region and carries more than 400,000 passengers per year. Its role is twofold: Nice suburban service and tourist transportation in the hinterland by the steam train of Pignes. The line will soon have a new modern railcar.
50 Years of OECD
France has issued a stamp commemorating the 50th anniversary of OECD.
OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) was established in 1961 following an agreement signed in December 14, 1960 by 20 countries. Today, its 34 member countries are committed to the principles of democracy and market economy, they aim to support sustainable economic growth, increase employment, raise living standards, maintain financial stability, assist other countries to develop their economies, and contribute to the growth of world trade.
