French Stamp Controversy

Controversy over stamp designs are relatively rare these days. Looks like some folks in France are suggesting a boycott over this one. Personally I think the female image on the stamp is absolutely gorgeous.
I was also curious over the denomination for this priority mail stamp. The value is "20g" on the stamp which to my uninformed mind makes no sense. As France is part of the EU, it would seem that this stamp value would be in euros or francs ( or parts thereof). Please enlighten me.

http://news.yahoo.com/french-stamp-...3029804.html

I have little information about the stamp itself, but in France the stamps marked 20g = maximum 20 grams of weight.

Nothing wrong with that stamp.

Controversy? What utter nonsense. I read about this in the paper this morning over my coffee.
Seems lately, some French folks are proving themselves much more prudish over certain subjects than I would have expected of them.
This from the people who gave the world a big green statue of a lady whose dress you could climb up underneath!

Was gonna post this, but was busy... anyways I don't see whats wrong. Plus the non stamp enthusiasts wouldn't see the great detail without the magnifying glass.

I apologize. I don't mean to jump on the entire population of France. It's my admiration for their 'continental' ideals that drives me crazy when I see a small group go on rabidly about 'what's best for everyone' (my words)

It is a small right wing group that calls for a boycott.

"The small, conservative Christian Democrat Party is calling for a boycott of the stamp. On their website and on Twitter, the party said the postal service should withdraw the stamp, saying it "insults the dignity of women, the sovereignty of France."

They should read their own history and visit their own art galleries. Marianne was often depicted topless. And me? I'm all for tradition!

I didn't read the article, I just looked at the picture.

Now that I've read the article, it seems the objection may be more about choosing a Ukrainian activist as a model for the symbol of France, than simple prudishness.

Dunno...still like the stamp.

I like very much the stamp, it's a fine work of French cartoon-like design.
As for the oposition, do you know who invented the word "chauvinism"?...

Only looking at the stamps, without bothering to read the article, I can say that the stamp looks as garish as a graffitti on an old palace wall. Comparing to the classical dignity of older French stamps, it is something to feel sorry about.

I suppose some people might see it as demeaning to women for other women to write on one of the most sacred parts of their body and display it as mere bilboard.

Others might see it as an attempt by certain men (male chauvinists) to encourage this kind of behavior, men who would be happy to see women expose themselves in public for their own enjoyment.

There, I have had my part as devil's advocate.

It is a caricature. A jest.

It certainly lacks the beauty and grace of the French stamps I enjoy collecting.

I don't see on the stamp anything offenssive for women dignity. In my view, most Western European people (other than catholic fanatics) will like it and consider a nice woman's portrait. Very much on the line of Delacroix's "Liberty leading people".
Althought, I know, views can be quite different on the other side of the Ocean.

You must be very careful with your language, Cursus. Some people might think that you just called all Catholics fanatical. That would be rather derrogatory.

Not at all. I'm not meaning that "all Catholics are fanaticals". I'm a Catalan. Catalonia, has been a Catholic nation since the very begining of this religion. Saint Paul and Saint James are said to have been in my city, Barcelona (our earliest known bishop dates from 347 AD!).
I've been baptizied and gone through all Catholic sacraments. I've had a Catholic education and altouhgt I don't care for religion at all, I live on a Catholic environment. I've very close relatives who can be considered "open minded Catholics", while others are more like "fanatic Catholics". Our culture and society are Catholic and I like them very much.
But here, in Catalonia, you can freely speak about religion and, if you're polite, no one would feel offended. Our society is very tolerant, althought I know is not like this everywhere.
So I apologise if someone feels offended.

I like the Delacroix influence/homage.

Maybe the controversy is just viral marketing for the stamp launch. Generate news, generate page hits and hopefully generate sales?

Cursus

Readers of this forum may be interested in learning about "Caganers", a Catalan tradition.

"The Caganer was a obliged figure in the Christmas Cribs of the eighteenth century since at that time was believed that with his fertile depositions the soil of the crib will became rich and productive for the coming year! It was also believed that he would bring good health and calm to the body and the soul, which is necessary to do the crib with pride and happiness that Christmas brings at home. Putting this jolly little man in the crib used to bring luck and happiness."



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caganer

Modern Caganers are hilarious:









http://www.caganer.com/index.php