The subjects for two of the stamps were chosen by Stavanger Aftenblad’s readers: “The Thousandth Heart”, from a family musical performed by the Rogaland Theatre, and “Swords in Rock”, a national memorial by sculptor Fritz Røed to Harald Fairhair’s victory at the decisive Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872, which united Norway into one kingdom. Norway Post’s choice for the third stamp, “Dancer in a Cultural Landscape”, was another of the nominees in the Aftenblad poll. The stamps went on sale on 7 June.

On 23 October, stamp collectors will arrive in Stavanger for the Scandinavian stamp exhibition, Nordia 2008. Since its start in Helsinki in 1966, the exhibition has toured all the Nordic countries. This is the 25th Nordia exhibition and the fifth time it has been held in Norway.

Activity will be brisk throughout the four days of the exhibition. The highlight will be the award of prizes to the many exhibitors. About 200 participants are exhibiting approximately 1000 frames in 12 different classes, and prizes and medals will be awarded for the best exhibits. The most sought-after prize, Grand Prix Nordia, will go to the winner of the championship class.

Local stamp booklets produced for the exhibition by the Sandnes and Stavanger philatelist clubs are sure to be a popular item among collectors. To mark the event Norway Post is issuing a miniature sheet on which the three Stavanger 2008 stamps are presented in a festive setting.

Subjects: Dancer in a Cultural Landscape, Swords in Rock, Eye from “The Thousandth Heart”
Photography: NOK 7.00 and NOK 14.00: Marcel Lelienhof NOK 23.00: Jonas Haarr Friestad.
Arrangement: Gina Rose
Values: NOK 7.00 – 14.00 – 23.00
Issue: 250,000 miniature sheets    
Printing: Offset by Royal Joh. Enschedé, Netherlands
Sales prices:
First day cover: NOK 48.00
Presentation pack: NOK 49.00
Collector’s set: NOK 102.00
Collector’s sheet: NOK 64.00