1997 Narbut Prize winner is announced

WESTCHESTER, Ill. - Serhiy S. Byelyayev is the winner of the 1997 Narbut Prize for best Ukrainian stamp design of 1996, for the stamp triptych "Kyiv University Astronomical Observatory," announced Ukrainian Philatelic Resources in October.

Originally, these beautiful stamps were to be released in 1995, the 150th anniversary of the university observatory, but were delayed and not issued until January 1996. The first stamp displays a celestial globe and a copy of Copernicus' famous De Lateri, housed at the observatory, one of only three copies still in existence. The second stamp shows the moon as seen through the observatory's telescope, while the last stamp depicts the observatory building itself.

This marks Mr. Byelyayev's second stamp entry into the winner's circle, and the second winning entry with links to the university. He first won in 1995 for his two designs (one a stamp, the other a souvenir sheet) honoring the 160th anniversary of the founding of Kyiv University.

Ingert Kuzych, the prize initiator and donor of the monetary prize that accompanies the award, has expressed his appreciation at the growing response to the prize since its inception five years ago. "I'm delighted at this year's response," he said, "there was an increase of over 50 percent in the number of ballots received compared to 1996."

The observatory triptych received 22 percent of all votes cast, well above the runner-up designs for "Flora of Ukraine" (12 percent of votes), historic Ukrainian churches (11 percent) and Antonov Aviation (10 percent). In all, 18 of the 24 different stamp designs on the ballot received some votes.

Mr. Kuzych commented: "One of the reasons for establishing the Narbut Prize was to create and sustain a high artistic standard for Ukrainian stamp designs. I believe this aim is being met. The attractiveness of stamp issues has been improving yearly." He added, "Ukraine Post has already released a number of striking designs this year, promising to make next year's competition equally spirited."

Below are the Narbut Prize winners for the past five years. 1997 marks the third straight year that a "set" of stamps has won:

• 1993, Larysa I. Koren, "150th Anniversary of the Birth of Mykola V. Lysenko (1842-1912), The Founder of Ukrainian Classical Music," and Oleh V. Snarsky, "National Flag and Trident Emblem of Ukraine";
  
  
• 1994, Yuriy H. Lohvyn, "75th Anniversary of Ukraine's First Postage Stamps";
  
  
• 1995, Serhiy S. Byelyayev, "160th Anniversary of Kyiv University" stamp and souvenir sheet;
  
  
• 1996, Yuriy H. Lohvyn, "Hetmans of Ukraine" series; and
  
  
• 1997, Serhiy S. Byelyayev, "150th Anniversary of the Kyiv University Astronomical Observatory" triptych.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, November 23, 1997, No. 47, Vol. LXV

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