Issue date: 31 Jul, 2014
ANNIVERSARIES
The 400th Anniversary of the Brotherhood of Nuestra Señora de la Virgen Blanca in Vitoria-Gasteiz is being commemorated with the issue of a stamp depicting the Virgin and the metal and glass lanterns that accompany the procession.
The cult of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, also called Virgen Blanca, started in Vitoria with the founding of the city by King Sancho VI, the Wise, in 1181. Devotion to the Virgen Blanca led to the creation of the wax chandlers guild, the Brotherhood of Nuestra Señora de la Virgen Blanca in 1613. The Brotherhood has been strengthened over its four centuries of life by the support of the citizens of Vitoria and the festivals held in honour of the city's patron saint.
The statue of the Virgen Blanca holding the baby Jesus id="result_box" lang="en" closure_uid_148302077="9" closure_uid_148302077="41" closure_uid_148302077="43" closure_uid_148302077="44". It stands in a marble niche at the entrance to the church of San Miguel, a Gothic-Renaissance building constructed between the 14th and 16th centuries and designated as a site of Cultural Interest.
The Virgen Blanca was declared the patron saint of Vitoria in 1921, but the city council did not establish the present-day cycle of festivals until 1953. The saint's festival takes place on 5th August.
The main festival in Vitoria begins by bringing the Celedón down from the belfry of the church in Virgen Blanca square. This figure, carved with a beret, wearing the traditional loose shirt and always carrying an umbrella, symbolises the villagers of Alava who travel from the country to the city to celebrate the festival. The religious part of the celebrations starts with the ‘Lantern Procession’, dating back to the start of the 19th century. This is presided over by a statue of the Virgin on an illuminated platform, accompanied by more than 250 polished metal and glass lanterns and carriages in a display of light and glass. Following this night-time procession is the ‘Procession of the Rosario de la Aurora’, attended by thousands of people of all ages and from all walks of life, singing the rosary and accompanied by a small image of the patron saint paraded by groups of young men. The religious gatherings are organised by the Brotherhood of Nuestra Señora de la Virgen Blanca, the reason behind this particular issue.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
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Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.