On March 20, to mark the International Day of Happiness, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued 20 stamps split between two special event sheets in celebration of the “movement for a happier world.”
The 20 stamps prominently feature the beloved blue, mushroom-dwelling humanoids known as the Smurfs, who can trace their cartoon origins back to the later 1950s; however, on the newly issued sheets, the Smurfs are shown as they appear in the animated remake, Smurfs: The Lost Village, which was released on March 23.
The sheets were issued with denominations of $1.15 USD and €0.80, respectively. Each sheet includes 10 stamps and 10 labels featuring the Smurfs’ portrayal of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Eight goals are depicted on the international sheet, including (from top-right) life below water; reduced inequalities; life on land; sustainable cities and communities; peace, justice and strong institutions; responsible consumption and production; and partnership for the goals. The two remaining international stamps feature a butterfly and a ladybug.
Today is #InternationalDayofHappiness! I’m in #Toronto, celebrating #Nowruz. What are you up to? pic.twitter.com/wiZTDgPBhF
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 20, 2015
The U.S. sheet features the remaining nine goals of (from the top-right) poverty eradication; clean water and sanitation; zero hunger; affordable and clean energy; good health and well-being; decent work and economic growth; quality eduction; industry, innovation and infrastructure; and gender equality.
NINE UN GOALS ON U.S. SHEET
The U.S. sheet features the remaining nine goals of (from the top-right) poverty eradication; clean water and sanitation; zero hunger; affordable and clean energy; good health and well-being; decent work and economic growth; quality eduction; industry, innovation and infrastructure; and gender equality. The remaining stamp features butterfly, and a se-tenant label depicts a logo for the Sustainable Development Goals.
The two sheets were unveiled on March 18 during a ceremony attended by three of the film’s stars: Demi Lovato, the voice of Smurfette; Joe Manganiello, the voice of Hefty Smurf; and Mandy Patinkin, the voice of Papa Smurf.
The Smurfs Campaign for Happiness—or #SmallSmurfsBigGoals campaign—is designed to promote the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and encourage people to take action to “protect the planet and promote a peaceful and just world.”
“Since 1958, the Smurfs have embodied around the world the universal values of camaraderie, helping one another, tolerance, optimism, and respecting Mother Nature,” said Véronique Culliford, daughter of Smurfs’ creator Pierre Culliford. “It’s been an honour and privilege for The Smurfs to support the United Nations and to continue our longstanding relationship with UNICEF with this campaign focused on raising awareness for the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The UNPA previously commemorated International Day of Happiness with a six-stamp issue in March 2014.