recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica

**Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica** is a location stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit **Vietnam**.

## Information

"***The Saigon Notre-Dame Basilica*** (Vietnamese: Vương cung thánh đường Chính tòa Đức Bà Sài Gòn or Nhà thờ Đức Bà Sài Gòn; French: Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Saigon), officially Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of The Immaculate Conception (Vietnamese: Vương cung thánh đường Chính tòa Đức Mẹ Vô nhiễm Nguyên tội; French: Basilique-Cathédrale Notre-Dame de l'Immaculée Conception) is a cathedral located in the downtown of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Established by French colonists who initially named it the Church of Saigon (French: l'Eglise de Saïgon), the cathedral was constructed between 1863 and 1880. The name Notre-Dame Cathedral has been used since 1959. It has two bell towers, reaching a height of 58 meters (190 feet). "

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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Philippine Tarsier

**Philippine Tarsier** is an exclusive single stamp in SLOWLY. This can be purchased in the shop when you visit Philippines.

## Information

**Tarsiers** are haplorrhine primates of the family **Tarsiidae**, which is itself the lone extant family within the infraorder Tarsiiformes. Although the group was once more widespread, all of its species living today are found in the islands of Southeast Asia, specifically the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.
Tarsiers are small animals with enormous eyes; each eyeball is approximately 16 millimetres (0.63 in) in diameter and is as large as, or in some cases larger than, its entire brain. The unique cranial anatomy of the tarsier results from the need to balance their large eyes and heavy head so they are able to wait silently for nutritious prey. Tarsiers have a strong auditory sense, and their auditory cortex is distinct. Tarsiers also have long hind limbs, owing mostly to the elongated tarsus bones of the feet, from which the animals get their name. The combination of their elongated tarsi and fused tibiofibulae makes them morphologically specialized for vertical clinging and leaping. The head and body range from 10 to 15 cm in length, but the hind limbs are about twice this long (including the feet), and they also have a slender tail from 20 to 25 cm long. Their fingers are also elongated, with the third finger being about the same length as the upper arm. Most of the digits have nails, but the second and third toes of the hind feet bear claws instead, which are used for grooming. Tarsiers have soft, velvety fur, which is generally buff, beige, or ochre in color.

Tarsiers morphology allows for them to move their heads 180 degrees in either direction, allowing for them to see 360 degrees around them.

They are found primarily in forested habitats, especially forests that have liana, since the vine gives tarsiers vertical support when climbing trees.
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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp could be purchased on the shop when you log into your account while inside the country.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Montserrat

## Information

**Montserrat** is a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean. The island is in the Leeward Islands, which is part of the chain known as the Lesser Antilles, in the West Indies. Montserrat measures approximately 16 km (10 mi) in length and 11 km (7 mi) in width, with approximately 40 km (25 mi) of coastline.

Montserrat is nicknamed "The Emerald Isle of the Caribbean" both for its resemblance to coastal Ireland and for the Irish ancestry of many of its inhabitants. *Text and image from Wikipedia*.

## Country Stamps Gallery

*Additional Reference : Country stamps listing - SlowlyStamps.blogspot*
Vimy Ridge Day

**Vimy Ridge Day** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Canada during this special day .

## Information

**Vimy Ridge Day** is a day to commemorate the deaths and casualties of members of the Canadian Corps in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place during the First World War. The holiday has been observed annually on 9 April since 2003. It is a non-statutory observance.

In 2003, the Government of Canada declared 9 April to be "Vimy Ridge Day", to honour and remember the Battle of Vimy Ridge which took place during the First World War at Vimy Ridge, France, in 1917. The initiative to create the day of commemoration was spearheaded by Robert Manuel, a Korean War veteran. The annual holiday was created through passage of Bill C-227, introduced by Brent St. Denis, the Member of Parliament for Algoma-Manitoulin. By law, it is required that the Canadian flag on the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill in Ottawa be lowered to half-mast. Small ceremonies, including the laying of wreaths, also normally take place at the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France and other areas across Canada.

Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Lempira Day

**Lempira Day** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Honduras during this special day.

## Information

**Lempira** was a warrior, chieftain of the Lencas of western Honduras in Central America during the 1530s, when he led resistance to Francisco de Montejo's attempts to conquer and incorporate the region into the province of Honduras. Mentioned as *Lempira* in documents written during the Spanish conquest, he is regarded by the people as a warrior hero whom the conquistadors feared, since they couldn’t kill him. The Spaniards sent a messenger to tell him they wanted “peace” but when he up they captured him, dismembered his body, and buried him in undisclosed locations so no one could pay him respects.

Text and image from wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Noche de la Nostalgia

**Noche de la Nostalgia** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Uruguay during this special day .

## Information

In Uruguay, the **Nostalgia Night** (Spanish: *Noche de la Nostalgia*) is celebrated every 24 August. All dance clubs, radio stations, and many other events play "nostalgic music" (oldies).

On August 24, 1978, Pablo Lecueder, owner of CX-32 Radiomundo, organized a party with "old music hits", which was the theme of his radio show "Old Hits". Starting in 1978, every year Lecueder used the eve of the holiday August 25 (Uruguayan Declaration of Independence), a holiday in Uruguay, to make the party destined to remember and dance the "old hits" with the original denomination, registered trademark, and National holiday called "The Night of Nostalgia".

The idea of these first parties was to dance with the music of the late 1960s and early 1970s, which has lasted for its validity, its singers, its lyrics or its promotion. The themes of Queen, Simon and Garfunkel, Cat Stevens, The Beatles, Dire Straits, Supertramp, Elvis Presley, Barry Manilow, Bee Gees, and John Travolta are common—disco music, the *new romantics*, etc.
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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Puerto Rico

## Information

**Puerto Rico**, officially the **Commonwealth of Puerto Rico** is a Caribbean island and unincorporated territory of the United States. It is located in the northeast Caribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 km) southeast of Miami, Florida.

The Commonwealth is an archipelago among the Greater Antilles located between the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands; it includes the eponymous main island and several smaller islands, such as Mona, Culebra, and Vieques. It has roughly 3.2 million residents, and its capital and most populous city is San Juan. Spanish and English are the official languages of the executive branch of government, though Spanish predominates. *Text and image from Wikipedia*.

## Country Stamps Gallery

*Additional Reference : Country stamps listing - SlowlyStamps.blogspot*
Laba Festival

**Laba Festival** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit China during this special day .

## Information

**Laba Festival** (Chinese: 臘八節) is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the eighth day of the month of La (or Layue 臘月), the twelfth month of the Chinese calendar. It is the beginning of the Chinese New Year period. It is customary on this day to eat Laba congee.

Laba Festival was not on a fixed day until the Southern and Northern dynasties, when it was influenced by Buddhism and was fixed on the eighth day of twelfth month, which was also the enlightenment day of the Buddha. Therefore, many customs of the Laba Festival are related to Buddhism. It corresponds directly to the Japanese Rohatsu and the South Asian Bodhi Day.

Laba Festival is considered the prelude to Chinese New Year, which falls about three weeks later.

An old custom is beating drums to drive away diseases. This practice, which originated from ancient traditions of witchcraft, is still observed in places such as Xinhua, Hunan.

Traditionally, the consumption of Laba congee is an important element of the festival. There are multiple legendary accounts of the dish's origins. One story says that it originated in the Song dynasty with Buddhist monasteries giving congee to people in honor of the story that Sakyamuni (Gautama Buddha) reached enlightenment on the eighth day of the twelfth month after eating congee.

Laba congee or Laba porridge (臘八粥; *Làbāzhōu*) is very popular in many places in China. Different kinds of rice, beans, nuts and dried fruits are the main ingredients. People believe that it's good for health in the winter.

It is also known as "eight-treasure congee" (八宝粥; *Bā bǎo zhōu*) and is usually made with eight or more ingredients, representing good luck. Eight is a lucky number in China, and the *ba* in *Laba* also means eight.

There are many variations of Laba congee in different regions of China. Ingredients can include mixed grains, such as rice, millet, and barley; beans and nuts such as mung beans, azuki beans, lotus seeds, peanuts, walnuts, and chestnuts; dried fruit such as red dates, longan, raisins, and goji berries; and other ingredients such as vegetables and meat.

Text and image from Wikipedia

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
State Grand Mosque

**State Grand Mosque** is a location stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit **Qatar**.

## Information

"***The State Grand Mosque***,or Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque (also called the Qatar State Mosque) is the national mosque of Qatar.

It is named after Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, a Sunni Muslim preacher, scholar and theologian from the Najd region in central Arabia, founder of Wahhabism.

The mosque was opened in 2011, with the Emir of Qatar presiding over the occasion. "

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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Touba

**Touba** is a location stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit **Senegal**.

## Information

"***Touba*** (Hassaniya Arabic: Ṭūbā, 'Felicity'; Wolof: Tuubaa) is a city in central Senegal, part of Diourbel Region and Mbacké district. With a population of 529,176 in 2010, it is the second most populated Senegalese city after Dakar.

It is the holy city of Mouridism and the burial place of its founder, Shaikh Ahmadou Bàmba Mbàcke. Next to his tomb stands a large mosque, completed in 1963. "

Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Hanukkah

**Hanukkah** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked during this special day .

## Information

**Hanukkah** , also known as the **Festival of Lights**, is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE.

Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the *shammash*. Each night, one additional candle is lit by the *shammash* until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include singing Hanukkah songs, playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Since the 1970s, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.

Originally instituted as a feast "in the manner of Sukkot (Booths)", it does not come with the corresponding obligations, and is therefore a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms. Nevertheless, Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in North America and elsewhere, especially among secular Jews, due to often occurring around the same time as Christmas during the holiday season.

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*Text and image from Wikipedia*.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account during this special day.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals.
Komuz Day

**Komuz Day** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Kyrgyzstan during this special day.

## Information

The **komuz** or **qomuz** is an ancient fretless string instrument used in Central Asian music, related to certain other Turkic string instruments, the Mongolian tovshuur, and the lute.

It is the best-known national instrument and one of the better-known Kyrgyz national symbols. The komuz is generally made from a single piece of wood (usually apricot or juniper) and has three strings traditionally made out of gut, and often from fishing line in modern times. In the most common tunings the middle string is the highest in pitch. Virtuosos frequently play the komuz in a variety of different positions; over the shoulder, between the knees and upside down. An illustration of a komuz is featured on the reverse of the one-som note.

The komuz can be used either as accompaniment or as a lead instrument and is used in a wide variety of musical styles including aytysh (a song competition between akyns) and the recitation of epics. It is generally played seated, held horizontally and may be strummed or plucked. One piece ("mash botoy") consists of a simple tune repeated many times, each with a new stroke, as a test of the performer’s skill and creativity. The komuz has many different tunings, and the names of the tunings correspond with various styles of music.

The oldest known komuz-like instrument dates from the 4th century although the related Azerbaijani gopuz is believed to date back to 6000 BC following an archaeological discovery of clay plates depicting gopuz players. In the 1960s American archeologists working in the Shushdagh mountains near the ancient city of Jygamish in Iranian Azerbaijan, uncovered a number of rare clay plates which dated back to around 6000 B.C. which depicted musicians at a council, holding a komuz-like instrument to their chests.
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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Lughnasadh

**Lughnasadh** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Ireland during this special day .

## Information

**Lughnasadh** or *Lughnasa* is a Gaelic festival marking the beginning of the harvest season. Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Traditionally it is held on 1 August, or about halfway between the summer solstice and autumn equinox. In recent centuries some of the celebrations have been shifted to the Sunday nearest this date.

Lughnasadh is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc and Beltane. It corresponds to other European harvest festivals such as the Welsh *Gŵyl Awst* and the English Lammas.

Lughnasadh is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and has pagan origins. The festival itself is named after the god Lugh. It inspired great gatherings that included religious ceremonies, ritual athletic contests (most notably the Tailteann Games), feasting, matchmaking, and trading. Lughnasadh occurred during a very poor time of the year for the farming community when the old crops were done and the new ones not yet ready for harvest.
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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Hungarian Parliament Building

**Hungarian Parliament Building** is a location stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit **Hungary**.

## Information

"***The Hungarian Parliament Building*** (Hungarian: Országház, which translates to House of the Country or House of the Nation), also known as the Parliament of Budapest after its location, is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary, a notable landmark of Hungary, and a popular tourist destination in Budapest.

It is situated on Kossuth Square in the Pest side of the city, on the eastern bank of the Danube. It was designed by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl in neo-Gothic style and opened in 1902.[6] It has been the largest building in Hungary since its completion. "

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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
May Day

**May Day** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit the United Kingdom during this special day .

## Information

**May Day** is a European festival of ancient origins marking the beginning of summer, usually celebrated on 1 May, around halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Festivities may also be held the night before, known as **May Eve**.

Traditions often include gathering wildflowers and green branches, weaving floral garlands, crowning a May Queen (sometimes with a male companion), and setting up a Maypole, May Tree or May Bush, around which people dance. Bonfires are also part of the festival in some regions. Regional varieties and related traditions include Walpurgis Night in central and northern Europe, the Gaelic festival Beltane, the Welsh festival Calan Mai, and May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It has also been associated with the ancient Roman festival Floralia.

In 1889, it was chosen as the date for International Workers' Day by the Second International, to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago and the struggle for an eight-hour working day. As a result, International Workers' Day is also called "May Day", but the two are unrelated.

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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Pride Flags

**Pride Flags** is a series of Limited edition stamps in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit some countries such as United States and others during certain special days. The list of countries in which it will be released could change each year according to Slowly's team that evaluates users feedback and new information.

## Information

A **pride flag** is any flag that represents a segment or part of the LGBT community. *Pride* in this case refers to the notion of LGBT pride. The terms *LGBT flag* and *queer flag* are often used interchangeably.

Pride flags can represent various sexual orientations, romantic orientations, gender identities, subcultures, and regional purposes, as well as the LGBT community as a whole. There are also some pride flags that are not exclusively related to LGBT matters, such as the flag for leather subculture. The rainbow flag, which represents the entire LGBT community, is the most widely used pride flag.
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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Taco Tuesday

**Taco Tuesday** is an exclusive single stamp in SLOWLY. This can be purchased in the shop when you visit United States at Tuesday

## Information

A **taco** is a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a small hand-sized corn or wheat tortilla topped with a filling. The tortilla is then folded around the filling and eaten by hand. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, pork, chicken, seafood, beans, vegetables, and cheese, allowing for great versatility and variety. They are often garnished with various condiments, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, and vegetables, such as lettuce, onion, tomatoes, and chiles. Tacos are a common form of antojitos, or Mexican street food, which have spread around the world.
Tacos can be contrasted with similar foods such as burritos, which are often much larger and rolled rather than folded; taquitos, which are rolled and fried; or chalupas/tostadas, in which the tortilla is fried before filling.
Taco Tuesday is an American tradition that consists of going out on Tuesday nights to eat tacos or, more generally, Mexican food, taking advantage of the special prices offered on these days.
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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp could be purchased on the shop when you log into your account while inside the country at Tuesday.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Umhlanga

**Umhlanga** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Eswatini during this special day.

## Information

**Umhlanga**, or **Reed Dance** ceremony, is an annual Swazi event that takes place at the end of August or at the beginning of September. In Eswatini, tens of thousands of unmarried and childless Swazi girls and women travel from the various chiefdoms to the Ludzidzini Royal Village to participate in the eight-day event. The young, unmarried girls were placed in female age-regiments; girls who had fallen pregnant outside wedlock had their families fined a cow.

Umhlanga was created in the 1940s Eswatini under the rule of Sobhuza II, and is an adaptation of the much older Umchwasho ceremony. The reed dance continues to be practised today in Eswatini. In South Africa, the reed dance was introduced in 1991 by Goodwill Zwelithini, the former King of the Zulus. The dance in South Africa takes place in Nongoma, a royal *kraal* of the Zulu king.

Text and image from wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Semana Santa

**Semana Santa** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Spain during this special day .

## Information

***Semana Santa*** is the annual tribute of the Passion of Jesus Christ celebrated by Catholic religious brotherhoods (Spanish: cofradía) and fraternities that perform penance processions on the streets of almost every Spanish city and town during the last week of Lent, the week immediately before Easter.

The processions are set up and maintained by *hermandades* and *cofradías*, religious brotherhoods that are common to a specific area of the city, whose precede the paso dressed in Roman military costumes or penitential robes.

Those members who wish to do so wear these penitential robes with conical hats, or *capirotes*, used to conceal the face of the wearer. These "Nazarenos" or "Papones" (this word is typical from Leon) carry processional candles, may walk the city streets barefoot, and may carry shackles and chains in their feet as penance.
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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
St Kitts and Nevis

## Information

**Saint Kitts and Nevis**, officially the **Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis**, is an island country and microstate consisting of the two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, both located in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles. With 261 square kilometers of territory, and roughly 50,000 inhabitants, it is the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere, in both area and population, as well as the world's smallest sovereign federation. The country is a Commonwealth realm, with Charles III as King and head of state. It is the only sovereign federation in the Caribbean.

The capital city is Basseterre, located on the larger island of Saint Kitts. Basseterre is also the main port for passenger entry (via cruise ships) and cargo. The smaller island of Nevis lies approximately 3 km (2 mi) to the southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called The Narrows.

*Text and image from Wikipedia*.

## Country Stamps Gallery

*Additional Reference : Country stamps listing - SlowlyStamps.blogspot*
Lebanon

## Information

**Lebanon**, officially known as the **Lebanese Republic**, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies to its west across the Mediterranean Sea; its location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has contributed to its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious diversity.

Lebanon is home to roughly six million people and covers an area of 10,452 square kilometres (4,036 sq mi), making it one of the smallest countries in the world. *Text and image from Wikipedia*.

## Country Stamps Gallery

*Additional Reference : Country stamps listing - SlowlyStamps.blogspot*
Koningsdag

**Koningsdag** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Netherlands during this special day .

## Information

***Koningsdag*** or **King's Day** is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Celebrated on 27 April (26 April if the 27th is a Sunday), the date marks the birth of King Willem-Alexander. Until the abdication of Queen Beatrix in 2013, the holiday was known as ***Koninginnedag*** or **Queen's Day** and was celebrated on 30 April.

The holiday was initially observed on 31 August 1885 as *Prinsessedag* or Princess's Day, the fifth birthday of Princess Wilhelmina, then heir presumptive to the Dutch throne. On her accession in November 1890 the holiday acquired the name *Koninginnedag*, first celebrated on 31 August 1891. In September 1948, Wilhelmina's daughter Juliana ascended to the throne and the holiday was moved to her birthday, 30 April. The holiday was celebrated on this date from 1949.

Juliana's daughter, Beatrix, retained the celebration on 30 April after she ascended the throne in 1980, though her birthday was on 31 January. Beatrix altered her mother's custom of receiving a floral parade at Soestdijk Palace, instead choosing to visit different Dutch towns each year and join in the festivities with her children.

Queen Beatrix abdicated on *Koninginnedag* 2013, and her son, Willem-Alexander, ascended the throne (the first king since the observance of the national holiday). As a result, the holiday became known as *Koningsdag* from 2014 on, and the celebration was moved three days ahead to 27 April, the King's birthday.

*Koningsdag* is known for its nationwide *vrijmarkt* ("free market"), at which the Dutch sell their used items.

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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Izakaya

**居酒屋 (Izakaya, or *Tavern*)** is a serie of stamps in SLOWLY. This can be purchased on the Stamp Store while you visit Japan.

## Information

An ***izakaya*** (居酒屋) is a type of informal Japanese bar that serves alcoholic drinks and snacks. Izakaya are casual places for after-work drinking, similar to a British or Irish pub, Spanish tapas bar, or an American saloon and tavern.

Izakaya are often likened to taverns or pubs, but there are a number of differences. Depending on the stablishment, customers either sit on tatami mats and dine from low tables, as in the traditional Japanese style, or sit on chairs and dine from tables. Many izakaya offer a choice of both as well as seating by the bar. Some izakaya restaurants are also *tachi-nomi* style, literally translated as "drinking while standing". *Text from Wikipedia.*

Izakaya Serie

Text source : Wikipedia

## Method

This stamps serie could be purchased on the Stamp Store when you log into your SLOWLY account while inside the country.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Samoa

## Information

**Samoa**, officially the *Independent State of Samoa* and until 1997 known as *Western Samoa*, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono and Apolima); and several smaller, uninhabited islands, including the Aleipata Islands (Nu'utele, Nu'ulua, Fanuatapu and Namua).

Samoa is located 64 km (40 mi) west of American Samoa, 889 km (552 mi) northeast of Tonga (closest foreign country), 1,152 km (716 mi) northeast of Fiji, 483 km (300 mi) east of Wallis and Futuna, 1,151 km (715 mi) southeast of Tuvalu, 519 km (322 mi) south of Tokelau, 4,190 km (2,600 mi) southwest of Hawaii, and 610 km (380 mi) northwest of Niue. The capital city is Apia. The Lapita people discovered and settled the Samoan Islands around 3,500 years ago. They developed a Samoan language and Samoan cultural identity.

Samoa is a unitary parliamentary democracy with 11 administrative divisions. The sovereign state is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Western Samoa was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976. *Text and image from Wikipedia*.

## Country Stamps Gallery

*Additional Reference : Country stamps listing - SlowlyStamps.blogspot*
St. George’s Day

**St. George’s Day** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal during this special day. The list of countries in which it will be relesead could change each year according to Slowly's team that evaluates users feedback and new information.

## Information

**Saint George's Day**, also called the **Feast of Saint George**, is the feast day of Saint George as celebrated by various Christian Churches and by the several nations, old kingdoms, regions, states, countries and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint.
St. George's Day was a major feast and national holiday in England on a par with Christmas from the early 15th century. The tradition of celebration St. George's day had waned by the end of the 18th century after the union of England and Scotland. Nevertheless, the link with St. George continues today, for example Salisbury holds an annual St. George's Day pageant, the origins of which are believed to go back to the 13th century. In recent years the popularity of St. George's Day appears to be increasing gradually.

The Feast of St. George is celebrated enthusiastically in the Region and former Kingdom of Aragon, and is a regional feast day. On April 23, Aragon celebrates its "Día de Aragón" (Day of Aragon) in commemoration of the Battle of Alcoraz (*Baralla d'Alcoraz* in Aragonese), where the city of Huesca was reconquered by the Aragonese army and in which tradition says that St. George appeared at a critical moment for the Christian Army.

In Catalonia, *la Diada de Sant Jordi*, involves traditions similar to those of the Anglo-Saxon Saint Valentine's Day. Traditionally, boys give girls a red rose and girls give boys a book. Among roses, many piles of books are for sale in Catalan streets.

Devotions to Saint George in Portugal date back to the twelfth century, and Saint Constable attributed the victory of the Portuguese against what is now mostly modern day Spain, in the battle of Aljubarrota in the fourteenth century to Saint George. During the reign of King John I (1357–1433) Saint George became the patron saint of Portugal and the King ordered that the saint's image on the horse be carried in the Feast of Corpus Christi procession. In fact, the Portuguese Army motto means Portugal and Saint George, in perils and in efforts of war.

Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the countries during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Wayang Kulit

**Wayang Kulit** is an exclusive single stamp in SLOWLY. This can be purchased in the shop when you visit Indonesia .

## Information

***Wayang kulit*** (Javanese: ꦮꦪꦁ​ꦏꦸꦭꦶꦠ꧀) is a traditional form of puppet-shadow play originally found in the cultures of Java and Bali in Indonesia. In a *wayang kulit* performance, the puppet figures are rear-projected on a taut linen screen with a coconut-oil (or electric) light. The *dalang* (shadow artist) manipulates carved leather figures between the lamp and the screen to bring the shadows to life. The narratives of *wayang kulit* often have to do with the major theme of good vs. evil.

*Wayang kulit* is one of the many different forms of *wayang* theatre found in Indonesia; the others include *wayang beber*, *wayang klitik*, *wayang golek*, *wayang topeng*, and *wayang wong*. *Wayang kulit* is among the best known, offering a unique combination of ritual, lesson and entertainment.

On November 7, 2003, UNESCO designated *Wayang* the flat leather shadow puppet (*wayang kulit*), the flat wooden puppet (*wayang klitik*), and the three-dimensional wooden puppet (*wayang golek*) theatre, as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. In return for the acknowledgment, UNESCO required Indonesians to preserve the tradition.

Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp could be purchased on the shop when you log into your account while inside the country.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Kuwait

## Information

**Kuwait**, officially the **State of Kuwait** (Arabic: دولة الكويت‎ *Dawlat al-Kuwayt*), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated in the northern edge of Eastern Arabia at the tip of the Persian Gulf, bordering Iraq to the north and Saudi Arabia to the south. Kuwait also shares maritime borders with Iran. Kuwait has a coastal length of approximately 500 km (311 mi). Most of the country's population reside in the urban agglomeration of the capital city Kuwait City. *Text and image from Wikipedia*.

## Country Stamps Gallery

*Additional Reference : Country stamps listing - SlowlyStamps.blogspot*
Sudan

## Information

**Sudan**, officially the **Republic of the Sudan**, is a country in Northeast Africa. It borders the countries of Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and the Red Sea. It has a population of 44.91 million people as of 2021 and occupies 1,886,068 square kilometres (728,215 square miles), making it Africa's third-largest country by area, and the third-largest by area in the Arab League.

It was the largest country by area in Africa and the Arab League until the secession of South Sudan in 2011, since which both titles have been held by Algeria. Its capital is Khartoum and its most populated city is Omdurman (part of metro Khartoum). *Text and image from Wikipedia*.

## Country Stamps Gallery

*Additional Reference : Country stamps listing - SlowlyStamps.blogspot*
Merlion

**Merlion** is a location stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit **Singapore**.

## Information

"***The Merlion*** is the national symbol of the city-state of Singapore. It is depicted as a mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish. Being of prominent symbolic nature to Singapore and Singaporeans in general, it is widely used to represent both the country and its people in sports teams, advertising, branding, tourism and as a national personification and patriotic emblem of the Singaporean nation.

The Merlion was first used in Singapore as the logo for the tourism board. Its name combines "mer", meaning the sea, and "lion". The fish body represents Singapore's origin as a fishing village when it was called Temasek, which means "Sea Town" in Javanese. The lion head represents Singapore's original name—Singapura—meaning "Lion City". "

Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Sinulog Festival

**Sinulog** is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Philippines during this special day .

## Information

The **Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival** is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, and on the fourth Sunday of January in Carmen, Cebu, and is the centre of the Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines.

The festival is the largest and considered to be the first and Queen of all festivals in the Philippines, with every celebration of the festival routinely attracting around 1 to 15 million people all over the world every year. Aside from the religious aspect of the festival, Sinulog is also famous for its street parties, usually happening at night before and at the night of the main festival.

Other places like General Santos City, Kabankalan City, Maasin City, Balingasag Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City and Pagadian City also have their own version of the festival in honor of Santo Niño..

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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Stamps

> "*Save your memories & collect over 1000 stamps: unlock them by meeting new pals, travelling to a new country, or logging into SLOWLY during festive seasons & events!*"
> ― SLOWLY Website
>
>

**Stamps** are collectable items in SLOWLY. They can be unlocked in multiple ways, and can be added to your letters.

Visit our **List of Stamps on Slowly** to find all of them - sorted in multiple categories.

You can also browse our **World Explorer** collection, which has a page for each of over 200 Country specific Location Stamps. Or visit our **Country Gallery** which lists information (and all available stamps) for each of the 170 countries which are present in the Slowly collection.

## Collection

There are over **1,000** stamps to be found. They can be owned, which you can get by meeting new pals, traveling to new places, meeting people with certain zodiac signs or logging into SLOWLY during special events.

You can also increase your collection by receiving letters containing a stamp you don't own. You won't be able to send letters with them, but they are added to your Stamp Collection. New stamps will be marked with a red dot in the upper-right corner in your stamp collection screen.
Pâtisseries françaises

**Pâtisseries françaises** is a serie of stamps in SLOWLY. This can be purchased on the Stamp Store while you visit France.

## Information

A **pâtisserie** is a type of Italian, French or Belgian bakery that specializes in pastries and sweets, as well as a term for these types of food. In some countries, it is a legally controlled title that may only be used by bakeries that employ a licensed *maître pâtissier*.

In Italy, France, and Belgium, the *pâtissier* is a pastry chef who has completed a lengthy training process, typically an apprenticeship, and passed a written examination. Often found in partnership with a *boulangerie* in French, *bakkerij* in Dutch, *Bäckerei* in German (bakery), *pâtisseries* are a common sight in towns in Italy, France, and Belgium. Cakes and other sweet foods can be bought at a *pâtisserie*. *Text and from Wikipedia.*

Pâtisseries françaises Serie

Text and from Wikipedia, links provided above.

## Method

This stamps serie could be purchased on the Stamp Store when you log into your SLOWLY account while inside the country.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
School Entrance Ceremony

**School Entrance Ceremony** (or *入学式*) is a Limited edition stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit Japan during this special day .

## Information

**School Entrance Ceremony** (or *入学式*) is a Japanese tradition. In early April, all the students in a school gather for a formal ceremony welcoming the new students. At this ceremony, new students are introduced to the other students and teachers and the teachers and principal have a chance to talk to the new students.

Many of the parents of the new students attend this ceremony, often dressed formally, as a way to show support for their children and to meet some of the other parents and teachers. The ceremony marks a new period of the students’ lives, as they are now in a new school and at a new stage of life.

Many grandparents give a present to their grandchild when a grandchild get into an elementary school. A present is often the Japanese satchel called **Randoseru**. Randoseru is a backpack made of stiched firm leather. An elementary school student carries their textbooks, notebooks and other school supplies by Randoseru for six years.

Like the cherry blossoms, students in their new school uniforms heading to school for the start of the new school year is a common sight in the springtime in Japan. There are also ceremonies that mark the beginning and the end of each semester in Japanese schools.

Text from University of Hawaii. Text and image from Piece-of-Japan.com

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country during this special day. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
London Eye

**London Eye** is a location stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit the **United Kingdom**.

## Information

"***The London Eye***, or the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. It is Europe's tallest cantilevered observation wheel, and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom with over 3 million visitors annually, and has made many appearances in popular culture.

The structure is 135 metres (443 ft) tall and the wheel has a diameter of 120 metres (394 ft). When it opened to the public in 2000 it was the world's tallest Ferris wheel. "

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Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country. Any other local stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Vespa

**Vespa** is an exclusive single stamp in SLOWLY. This can be purchased in the shop when you visit Italy .

## Information

**Vespa** is an Italian luxury brand of scooter manufactured by Piaggio. The name means wasp in Italian. The Vespa has evolved from a single model motor scooter manufactured in 1946 by Piaggio & Co. S.p.A. of Pontedera, Italy to a full line of scooters and one of seven companies today owned by Piaggio.

From their inception, Vespa scooters have been known for their painted, pressed steel unibody which combines, in a unified structural unit, a complete cowling for the engine (enclosing the engine mechanism and concealing dirt or grease), a flat floorboard (providing foot protection), and a prominent front fairing (providing wind protection).

Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp could be purchased on the shop when you log into your account while inside the country.

You will keep it and be able to send to other penpals even after you return from your trip.
Angolan Antelope

**Angolan Antelope** is a location stamp in SLOWLY. This can be unlocked when you visit **Angola**.

## Information

The **giant sable antelope** or **royal sable antelope** (*Hippotragus niger variani*), also known in Portuguese as the ***palanca-negra-gigante***, is a large, rare subspecies of the sable antelope native and endemic to the region between the Cuango and Luando Rivers in Angola.

There was a great degree of uncertainty regarding the number of animals that survived during the Angolan Civil War. In January 2004, a group from the Centro de Estudos e Investigação Científica of the Catholic University of Angola, led by Dr. Pedro Vaz Pinto, was able to obtain photographic evidence of one of the remaining herds from a series of trap cameras installed in the Cangandala National Park, south of Malanje.

The giant sable antelope is the national symbol of Angola, and is held in a great regard by its people. This was perhaps one of the reasons the animals survived the long civil war. In African mythology, just like other antelopes, they symbolize vivacity, velocity, beauty and visual sharpness.

The giant sable antelope is evaluated as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Text and image from Wikipedia.

## Method

This stamp is unlocked by logging into your account while inside the country. If the country has more than one, any other location stamps will also be unlocked at the same time.