September 27, 2006 is the historical date for Indonesia and Slovak. Coinciding with celebration of The 61st  Indonesia Post and Telecommunication Anniversary, both country issuing The Joint Issue Stamp Indonesia-Slovak. This Joint Issue Stamp is the first to be conducted between the two countries, and Slovakia is the first country in Europe with whom Indonesia has Joint Issue Stamps.

On the stamps, there will be the famous figure of the Indonesian and Slovakia Traditional Puppet. The Wayang (Indonesia Puppet) figure of Semar is on the Indonesian stamp, while Slovakia stamp shows the figure of Gasparko.

In this event, PT Pos Indonesia also issues First Day Cover and uncut Souvenir  Sheet Special Edition.

About Semar

Semar or Sang Hyang Ismoyo is the elder brother of the supreme god - Guru.

He is assigned to live in the earth to escort ksatrias. Figures of Semar and Ponokawan are purely Javanese Wayang. The words of Semar are from sengsem (to lure) and Marsudi (to search, to do) meaning one is lured to search or do good things. The other names of Semar are: 1. Badranaya ; Badra means dark cloud; Naya means face. As a clever man, one has to have a bright face (happy, do not appear with dark face). 2. Bojagati ; boja (food) symbolizing knowledge, gati (real, true) meaning a true and correct knowledge. So, it is meant a wise man always teaches a true and correct lesson.  

White tufted hair (Kuncung Putih) 

Kuncung : tufted of hair aboe forehead

Putih : white

Semar with kuncung putih indicates that he is a wise man a perfect meditator.

White face of Semar Symbolizing  a teacher with a kind and honest face, his pupils shall follow all his instruction gladly. On the contrary, a teacher with a black face, the pupils shall abide the instruction because they are afraid of him.

One tooth of Semar means A teacher should speak only of the truth.

Black body of Semar means "Don't do anything wrong to achieve your goals".

Semar is one of the clowns in the Wayang Golek tradition. his head and tongue move and his tongue sticks out as the wires are manipulated. The wayang has a strong tradition in the world of Java and Indonesia, representing the struggle between good and evil. This puppet is on a base and stands a little ove 27". It can be removed from the base and both the head and arms can be moved. It has very finely detailed carvings on the head, with vivid color and detailed paintings. The body is decorated in Sarung. Each puppet is individually made by hand making each unique. 

They are made for the artist who make the puppets for Asep Sunarya (puppet master) who performs worldwide. These are Indonesia's finest and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. 

 About Gasparko

Varoius comical puppet theatre characters that in Europe can be traced back as far as the 13th 14th centuries culminate in a single figure a middle age clown. After the rise of the commedie dell'arte tradition in 14th century in Italy, the clown finds its way into several European countries and quickly adapts to local conditions. Each nation adds something from its natural character, environment, and education.

In Slovakia, Gasparko (Silly Billy) became the most typical character of traditional puppet theatre. Of all his European brothers, Gasparko is the most lyrical, most delicate, least vulgar, and has a sense for justice. That in Slovakia Gasparko is depicted as a bandit or redresser of injustice may be the result of the long-term oppression of the Slovak nation where consolation was found only in dreams about heroism. Consequently,  he was metamorphised from the originally comic figure of gnome into  a little naughty boy.

Gasparko performed in almost every traditional puppet theatre performance. Mostly as a houseman, often as a clown or a squire, later as a wanderer, roamer, and tradesman. His partners related to his persona: a king, a knignt, a prince, a princess, a witch, a magician, devils, watermen, dragons, and the Deaths. His wife is called Zabinka (Little frog) and their horse is Misko, together they provide entertaintment up to this time.

The puppet of Gasparko pictured on the stamp is 48 cm tall, carved from limewood, and dressed in textile. Its creators is F. Ilcik and it was made for the puppeteer Bohuslav Anderle in 1936 for his set of big puppets. this puppet belongs to the private collection of Anton Anderle. 

TECHNICAL DETAIL

STAMPS

Classification of issuance : Special Stamp

Product code        : 061008

Issue Date            : 27 September 2006

Designs & Denominations : 1/2 Indonesia : Semar Rp 2.500.00

                                          2/2 Slovakia : Gasparko Rp 2.500.00                                         

Size                      : 30 mm x 40 mm 

Perforations          : 12.75 x 13.50

Sheet composition : 20 pieces (4x5) 

Price per-Sheet      : Rp 50,000.00 

Colour                  : 5 colors 

Paper                    : Tullis Russel

Gum                      : PVA

Printing Process     : Offset & Rotogravure

Printing quantity     : 300,000 sets

Designer                : Semar : Triadi M (Perum Peruri)

                               Gasparko : Vladislav Rostoka 

Printer                   : Perum PERURI  

SOUVENIR SHEET (SS)

Product code     :  061408

Denominations    :  Rp 5,000.00

Printing quantity   : 50,000 pcs

Designer              : Triadi M (Perum Peruri)

FIRST DAY COVER (FDC)

Product code     : 062108 

Price                  : Rp 7.000,-

Printing quantity : 5,000 pcs

Designer           : Tata Sugiarta

LIMITED EDITION SOUVENIR SHEET

Composition      : Uncut 

Price                  : Rp 100.000,-

Printing quantity : 2006 sets

STAMP SALES PERIOD     : 27 September 2007 - 31 December 2009

Period of Validity for Postage : 27 September 2007 - 31 December 2011

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