Congratulations to the winners of May 17 and 18, 2025

The weekend of May 17 and 18, 2025, saw a great deal happening (on all fields), both internationally and nationally. There was no end to it; one winner had just achieved a world-class performance, causing another performance to suddenly be judged less favorably. In itself, that is not true, because you cannot compare apples and oranges. What did you choose to do this past weekend to experience the activity or to witness it 'live' yourself?

Apples and pears

Which stamps do you find the best in terms of design? The Dutch (2016) or the Luxembourg (2015)? The Netherlands On August 15, 2016, PostNL released a sheet of ten different stamps featuring apple and pear varieties. The sheet was designed by Bart de Haas. For this, he used images from *De Nederlandsche Boomgaard*, a nineteenth-century standard work containing more than one hundred apple and pear varieties. This book was published in 1868 by JB Wolters and compiled by the board of the Association for the Regulation and Improvement of Fruit Varieties in Boskoop. The illustrations in this book were drawn by S. Berghuis. The soil near Boskoop was traditionally considered highly suitable for tree cultivation. For centuries, growers in this area focused on cultivating fruit and fruit trees. Historians have linked this to the Abbey of Rijnsburg. Boskoop became the center of knowledge regarding apples. The Golden Reinette was developed here, the apple variety also known as the 'Schone van Boskoop'. In the past, fruit cultivation was usually part of the farming business. In the nineteenth century, fruit cultivation became a specialty. Fruit cultivation in the Netherlands developed significantly starting in 1875. Books such as *De Nederlandsche Boomgaard* contributed greatly to this. Thanks to this knowledge, the area of ​​high-stem orchards with apples and pears was considerably expanded. At the beginning of the twentieth century, knowledge from abroad also became available, allowing for the planting of even better varieties. In addition, commercial improvements in the nineteenth century, such as sales through fruit auctions, also contributed to the cultivation of apples and pears in the Netherlands.   Luxembourg The landscape of Luxembourg is partly defined by vineyards and apple and pear trees. The design agency Repères from the city of Luxembourg designed a sheet with ten self-adhesive apples and pears for the Luxembourg postal service. Next to each apple or pear lie the seeds and a cut specimen. Apples and pears grow in regions with a temperate climate and were already being harvested thousands of years ago. The cultivation of these fruits has also been practiced for thousands of years. Even before the beginning of our era, apple cultivation flourished among the Greeks and Romans. In principle, little has changed in cultivation. The varieties were continuously crossbred and adapted to consumer taste. Here and there in the Netherlands, associations have also emerged dedicated to preserving old varieties. The greatest change in the cultivation of apples and pears took place in the landscape. High-stem orchards disappeared; the apple tree increasingly resembles a low-growing shrub. Source: Filahome.nl  

Eurovision Song Contest Basel

Criticism of Israel's participation  It remained exciting until the very end as to who would win: Israel or Austria? If Israel had won, it would have created a major headache for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) regarding the organization of 2026. Before the festival began, you received the logo of Moroccanoil to see. Did you know that Moroccanoil is an Israeli company? Moroccanoil is an Israeli cosmetics company headquartered in New York City, specializing in hair care products with argan oil. The company was founded in Montreal in 2008 by Chilean-Canadian Carmen Tal and her then-Israeli husband, Ofer Tal. Over the years, Moroccanoil products became available in more and more countries, and the range was expanded to include body care products in 2016 and fragrances in 2021. Additionally, the company opened a salon academy for stylists in Manhattan in 2020.

Moroccanoil became the main sponsor (“presenting partner”) of the Eurovision Song Contest following the 2019 edition in Tel Aviv. Since then, its “team of world-class professional hairstylists” has worked on the artists and presenters behind the scenes, and the festival’s red carpet event has been renamed the “turquoise carpet,” after the company’s house color. The sponsorship was initially set to end in 2024; however, shortly after the 2024 festival, the company expected to continue sponsoring the event in 2025. The involvement of an Israeli company in the Eurovision Song Contest attracted attention amidst the Israeli offensive against Gaza that began in October 2023 and the ensuing humanitarian crisis, with the EBU allowing Moroccanoil’s sponsorship and Israel’s continued participation despite growing international outrage over Israel’s actions. Take it from me that Israel will participate in the festival in the coming years as well. Otherwise, the main sponsor would pull out, and the EBU would face major problems organizing the festival. That is why the EBU says the festival is apolitical. Only Russia and Belarus are excluded from participation due to the war against Ukraine. For years, the EBU's slogan has been: United By Music.   Winner Austria The Eurovision Song Contest 2025 was held in Basel on 17 May 2025 and was won by solo singer JJ for Austria. Johannes Pietsch (2001), stage name JJ, sang the song Wasted love, which he partly wrote himself. On 30 January 2025, following an internal selection, he was presented by the ORF as the artist to represent Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel. He received 258 points from the professional jury and 178 points from the televoting, bringing his total to 436, 79 points more than the runner-up, Israel.

Pietsch was born in Vienna. His father is an Austrian IT specialist. His mother is a cook of Filipino descent. He grew up in Dubai, where his father owned an IT company, and discovered his interest in music there. In 2016, he and his family returned to Austria, where he began his education at the Vienna State OperaHe is also studying music and art at the University of Vienna.

On January 30, 2025, following an internal selection, he was presented by the ORF as the artist to represent Austria at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland. On May 17 of that year, he won the festival with the song Wasted Love. He received 258 points from the professional jury and 178 points from the televoting, bringing his total to 436, 79 points more than the runner-up, Israel. Eleven years later Conchita Wurst Austria wins the Eurovision Song Contest with JJ: pop, opera, and techno in black and white. It is the third time Austria has won the song contest, following victories by Udo Jürgens (1966) and Conchita Wurst (2014). A noteworthy detail is that Conchita Wurst was JJ's role model for participating in the world's biggest song contest. When Wurst won, Austria hosted the 60th edition. Soon, in 2026, Austria will host another anniversary edition, namely the 70th. The Austrian postal service will undoubtedly issue commemorative stamps. For more information on the exciting finale in Basel and videos of various artists, I refer you to the VRT links.

Prietsch speaks German, English, and Tagalog (Filipino), and he learned French and Arabic at the international school in Dubai. He defines himself as queer.  

Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

On Sunday, May 18, the installation of Pope Leo XIV took place in St. Peter's Square in Rome. The Pope presided over the Mass marking the inauguration of his Petrine office and invited the Church to walk the path of God's love together and remain united in one family. "I come to you as a brother, who longs to be the servant of your faith and your joy," said the Holy Father. Pope Leo XIV greeted more than 200.000 pilgrims, leaders from around the world, and representatives of Christian denominations, marking the joyful start of his Petrine office with the official inauguration Mass. Religious delegations included Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, and Jain people among the many attendees for the celebration. Cardinal Mario Zenari, Papal Nuncio to Syria, placed the pallium upon him, a symbol of his pastoral ministry. Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle placed the Fisherman's Ring on his finger, engraved with the image of Peter, as a sign of the strength and continuity of his calling. Before twelve representatives of all strata of the People of God, the Pope took his solemn vow of obedience. At the start of the liturgy, he prayed together with the Patriarchs of the Eastern Churches at the Tomb of Saint Peter in St. Peter's Basilica. More than 150 delegations of heads of state were present. Representing the Netherlands were Prime Minister Schoof and Queen Máxima.   Source: Rkkerk.nl  

PSV champions

Much has been written about it and many images have already been shown, so I will keep it brief. PSV became Dutch Eredivisie football champions for the 26th time on Sunday, May 18. Since the 1984/85 season, a trophy has been presented to the national champion in remembrance of the championship won. This championship trophy is manufactured anew every season; the winning club is allowed to keep it. The text on top of the outer ring reads CHAMPION OF THE NETHERLANDS with EREDIVISIE at the bottom. The KNVB logo is engraved on the center section, with the season in which the trophy was won underneath. You must have stood for hours along the route of the flatbed truck and the celebration on the City Hall Square. The third personal prestige booklet was released on May 1, 2007, and centered on football club PSV. The booklet was published in collaboration with PSV and consists of three sheets, each containing three identical stamps. Furthermore, there are four interleaves filled with fun facts and the history of the club. The special cover features a moving image of fans and the logo.  

Formula 1 Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna

Once again, Max Verstappen was out of reach for his competitors Piastri and Norris during the Italian Emilia-Romagna Formula 1 Grand Prix. On Sunday, May 18, Max won the race, just like in 2024, 2022, and 2021. So, four times in a row. In 2023, the race was not held due to severe weather.  

Over 100.000 people draw a red line for Gaza with a demonstration.

On Sunday, May 18, we formed a red line in The Hague with more than 100.000 people. Many thanks to everyone who walked with us! Amnesty International believes that the Dutch government must not ignore this largest protest in 20 years. It is time for them to take action and no longer let Israel get away with a genocide in Gaza. More than 100.000 Dutch people protested in The Hague against the violence in Gaza and the Schoof cabinet's stance on Israel's war crimes. Prime Minister Schoof refuses to draw a red line. That is why we did it. The Netherlands continues to support Israel unconditionally, despite violations of international law and more than 50.000 deaths in Gaza.   Source: Amnesty.nl  

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Previous blogs or recent blogs on the mentioned themes: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/eurovisiesongfestival/ https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2025/05/17/winnaar-eurovisie-songfestival-2025/ https://kro-ncrv.nl/leo-xiv-geinaugureerd https://www.psv.nl/home https://www.formula1.com/ https://www.amnesty.nl/actueel/ruim-100-000-mensen-die-een-rode-lijn-trokken-voor-gaza-bedankt https://www.oxfamnovib.nl/rode-lijn-starterpack https://isgeschiedenis.nl/nieuws/geschiedenis-van-de-gazastrook-in-de-20e-en-21e-eeuw