Modern art with an emphasis on architecture

That was the theme for the Europa stamps of 1987. After the particularly dull period from 1956 to 1973, during which both the theme and the images had to be the same for all participating countries (with exceptions), the joint theme could be determined by each country itself. That was one of the reasons for the Dutch Post to discontinue these issues. After all, didn't the Netherlands have enough themes to fill its own issuing program? In 1978, we participated once again with a stamp designed by Anton Pieck. However, the 45-cent stamp does not feature a CEPT emblem. And so we joined the other countries again. The themes were very broad, and consequently, so was the interpretation by the participating countries. In 1984, however, a common image was chosen once again, in connection with the 25th anniversary of the CEPT. But after that, back to the old pattern: a common theme, but with the interpretation left to all participants. What actually came of that? As an example, the year 1987. The common theme was: modern art with an emphasis on architectureA difficult theme, because when is architecture modern art? Or is modern architecture always art? Or did they simply choose some modern buildings? Since architecture is of great interest to me, I took a look at how the participating countries interpreted this theme. The Netherlands chose an image of the design for the Dance Theatre in Scheveningen that was never built, and a detail of a school in Amsterdam. Art? Below is a selection of 1987 Europa stamps from other countries. I have omitted the Channel Islands and a few other small countries. Belgium. The church of Nieuw-Leeuwen by architect Jean Cosse and the Sint Maartensdal tower, designed by three architects. The church seems to fit the theme well. The tower? Denmark. The main library of Gentofte on the island of Zeeland and a gymnasium. Modern art? Germany. The German Pavilion at the Expo in Barcelona and the Köhlbtandbrücke near Hamburg. What was the theme again? Finland. City Library 'Metso' in the city of Tampere and the monument 'Stoa' in Helsinki by the sculptor Hannu Sirén. Sculpture? Also part of the theme? France. The '57 Métal' factory building near Paris and residences in Paris. Art or functional? Greekland. A sculpture by Achilleas Apergis and a thermosculpture by Gerassimos Sklavos. Modern architecture? Great Britain. Four stamps bearing the subtitle: British architects in Europe. Featuring buildings in Ipswich (UK), Paris, Stuttgart, and Luxembourg. A good translation of the theme? Italy. The church at the Highway of the Sun in Florence and the Central Station in Rome. I do see the church as modern architecture that fits in with the art, but the station? Norway. A wooden house and a building of glass and stone. Yes, the theme was modern art with an emphasis on architecture. Austria en Portugal. They issued only one stamp. The Austrians combined the theme with the 'Europalia '87' Culture Festival. Austria in Brussels featured an image of the Hundertwasser House in Vienna, and Portugal featured a bank building, Vila do Conde, by architect Alvaro Siza. Spain. Just like Portugal, a bank building, the Bilbao Bank in Madrid and the National Museum of Roman Art in Mérida. Sweden. The City Library in Stockholm and St. Mark's Church, also in Stockholm. The Scandinavian countries Denmark and Finland have also chosen libraries. Coincidence? Switzerland. A plastic of Bernhard Lunginbühl, the Scarabäus and the Bazeler Carnival Fountain by Jean Tinguely. Architecture? What do you think of it? Do such themes and publications add an extra dimension to the European idea? Or is there something else behind it? How do we feel about it 20 years later?