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The national thematic society of Finland, the Finnish Society for Thematic Philately, was founded in 1954. The idea behind the society is to preserve and improve knowledge of thematic philately among its members and promote thematic philately in general. The main activities of the society are to hold meetings, to publish a magazine and to organize exhibitions. Currently the society has 120 members, almost half of them from the capital area of Finland.
The society meetings are held every last Wednesday of the month beginning at 6 pm. The meeting place is the club premises of Suomen Filatelistiseura at Lönnrotinkatu 32 B, close to the city centre of Helsinki. The main events of the meeting are a philatelic lecture or an introduction, for example, about an exhibit of a member, together with discussions during and thereafter (usually in Finnish, only). Latest news are told and valuable philatelic knowledge is given. Recently issued thematic and philatelic magazines and auction catalogues are to be seen. During the society meetings some philatelic material is being sold and exchanged.
The society has a Finnish language magazine, Aihefilatelisti (thematic philatelist), which has been published since 1960. The magazine is printed, has size A5, and each issue has about 24 pages. It is being published four times a year. It is published for the benefit of the society members, but it can be subscribed by non-members, too (the subscription fee is 18 euros per year, including shipping). Editor of the magazine is
Mr. Jari Majander
Aihefilatelisti
Box 34
FIN-00101 Helsinki
Finland
One of the most important activities of the society is to organize philatelic exhibitions alone or together with other philatelic societies. The first national thematic exhibitions were organized by the society in the 1960's (Safex 64 and Safex 69). The Nordic thematic exhibition, Motiva 76, was held in 1976. National exhibitions, Helsinki 85 and Helsinki 90, were held by the society together with the Philatelic Federation of Finland. Filatelia 93 -exhibition was organized together with Eestin Filatelistit (philatelists of Estonia). The greatest of the so called propaganda exhibitions have been Aihe- ja postihistoria 88 (thematic and postal history exhibition in 1988) and Porkkala 92. The society has also actively participated in the annual events of the national Stamp Day. In autumn 1998 the society organized a national thematic exhibition Motiva 98. This exhibition was held in the Helsinki city centre, and was the biggest national thematic exhibition of all times in Finland. Members of the society attend frequently also international exhibitions.
One can become a member by filling out an application form (enclosed) and giving it or mailing it to any member of the board or sending it to the society address as follows:
Aihefilatelistit Ry
Box 34
FIN-00101 Helsinki
Finland
The above address is the principal channel to contact the society. Membership becomes effective when annual membership fee has been paid by the applicant. The membership fee is decided at the annual society meeting held in February. In 2009 the membership fee is 20 euros for adult members and 5 euros for young members. This membership fee includes the subscription fee for the Aihefilatelisti magazine.
The Finnish Society for Thematic Philately is a member society of the Philatelic Federation of Finland. This means that the society members are also obliged to pay the so called federation fee. If the member does not belong to any philatelic societies or has chosen the Finnish Society for Thematic Philately as his/her principal philatelic society, in addition to the above mentioned fees, 46 euros is payable to the federation. This federation fee includes the Filatelisti magazine, the biggest national philatelic magazine.
The President of the Finnish Society for Thematic Philately is
Mr. Raino Heino
Kanavamäki 24 F
FIN-00840 Helsinki
Finland
The Secretary of the society is
Mrs. Ulla Kemppilä
Vehkatie 25-29 as 1
FIN-04400 Järvenpää
Finland
Other members of the board are Mr. Eero Hellsten, Mr. Pertti Hurmerinta, Mr. Seppo Laaksonen, Mr. Jari Majander ja Mr. Jukka Mäkinen
See the list of auctions reviewed in the Aihefilatelisti magazine.
See the list of links to other Web sites.