Ellie O’Mahony from Ireland and Pavel Cantor from Romania have been announced as the winners of the PostEurop EUROPA Stamps 70th Anniversary Postcard Design Competition.
This international online competition, held in spring 2023, invited young artists and design students aged 18 to 25 from across Europe to create original postcard designs that reflect themes of connection, diversity, and shared identity. A total of 32 entries from 12 countries participated, showcasing a wide range of creative interpretations of the essence of contemporary Europe.
An expert jury selected the two winning designs, with each recipient awarded €500. Additionally, four submissions received Honourable Mentions.
All six designs will be produced as official postcards and will be presented at the PostEurop General Assembly in Baku, Azerbaijan from October 5 to 9, 2026. The complete collection of submissions will also be exhibited at the European Parliament in Brussels in December 2026.
The Winning Designs
Ellie O’Mahony, born in 2003, expressed her vision through a design inspired by the common yarrow, a wildflower recognized for its historical significance and healing properties. Her design forms the silhouette of Europe, representing unity and cultural heritage. O’Mahony stated, “I challenged myself with this design. I think the theme of unity is needed now more than ever.”
Pavel Cantor, born in 2006, illustrated a vibrant depiction of children holding balloons shaped like European countries. This playful design emphasizes the diversity of nations while the connecting strings symbolize cooperation and hopes for a shared future. Cantor highlighted, “The children in my design are running towards a bright future with their ‘kite-nations’, reminding us to dream big.”
The recipients of Honourable Mentions are Arthur Desmaris from France, Lauren Mulcahy from Ireland, Lea Pils from Germany, and Nuraddin Mustafazade from Azerbaijan.
Johanna Finne, head of Åland Post Stamps and jury chair, remarked on the experience, saying, “It was a true pleasure to review such inspiring designs… The two winning designs stood out for their strong concepts and their ability to communicate the values at the heart of EUROPA Stamps.”
The EUROPA stamp program, initiated in 1956 by six European postal organizations, has grown to encompass more than 50 postal operators. It serves as a symbol of European collaboration and cultural exchange, emphasizing the importance of shared values and connections among nations.
For further information about the competition and EUROPA stamps, visit www.europastamps.eu.
