Benyovszky Memorial Year Begins

Scientific publications, conferences, new Benyovszky sculptures, a commemorative stamp issued by the Hungarian Post Office and the premiere of a musical about Benyovszky are also part of the program of the Benyovszky Memorial Year, organised to mark the 280th anniversary of the birth and 235th anniversary of the death of Hungarian adventurer and explorer Móric Benyovszky.

Magyar Posta is marking the Benyovszky Memorial Year by issuing a promotional personalised stamp to commemorate the achievements of Count Maurice Benyovszky. 70,000 copies of the philatelic novelty made by printing on the label part of the Very Own Stamp personalised stamp were produced by the banknote printing company Pénzjegynyomda.

Count Móric (Maurice) Benyovszky, a notable Hungarian adventurer, sailor and explorer, was born on September 10, 1741. As a military officer who traveled to the four corners of the Earth, he is best known for his activities in Madagascar, which made a significant contribution to the discovery of the interior of the island.

The novelized account of his life was translated into numerous languages and was made known to the Hungarian public through the works of the writer Mór Jókai. He lost his life in a clash with French troops in 1786. The logo of the Benyovszky National Memorial Committee and an early telescope feature on the label of the stamp. A detail of an original map appears in the background of the commemorative first day cover, while a section of a ship’s wheel is shown in the foreground. The ship’s wheel, the telescope and the contour of the map of Madagascar are also used for the postmark.