| To celebrate the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong,
a set of two "Heartwarming II" Stamp Mini-panes (one each for local mail and
air mail postage) with stamp-tabs imprinted with the Beijing 2008 Olympic
Torch Relay logo, was issued on May 2, 2008.
The passing of the Olympic flame is a ceremonious ritual for spreading
the Olympic spirit of global friendship and peace. As the co-host city for
the Equestrian Events of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Hong Kong is
honoured to participate in this important tradition. To mark the Beijing
2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Hong Kong on 2 May 2008,
Hongkong Post issues this souvenir cover in celebration of this spectacular
event.
The Torch Relay takes the theme "Journey of Harmony" to embody the
Olympic ideal. The 130-day Torch Relay, commencing on 24 March in Olympia,
Greece, covers 137,000 km in the hands of 21,880 torchbearers, reaching a
record high in terms of both the length of route and the number of
torchbearers. The Olympic flame will, after an extensive journey touring the
five continents and a promising attempt at scaling the summit of the world
at Mount Qomolangma, finally return to Beijing to light the cauldron at the
Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on 8 August 2008.
Hong Kong is the first stop on Chinese soil after the Olympic flame has
been carried through the five continents. The torch will be carried across
the territory from Kowloon through the New Territories to Hong Kong Island
by 120 torchbearers running or using various modes of transportation such as
dragon boat and launch. The 8-hour relay will start at the Hong Kong
Cultural Centre, pass the Main Competition Arena of the Hong Kong Olympic
Equestrian Venue (Sha Tin) and end at Golden Bauhinia Square, a route to
showcase major landmarks and scenic spots of the city.
The local relay route is shown in the backdrop of the souvenir cover,
highlighting the logo of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay and the slogan
"Light the Passion Share the Dream" . The logo presents two runners holding
aloft the Olympic flame in the image of a phoenix to symbolise the legendary
"Fire Phoenix". The focus of the souvenir cover falls on the Beijing Olympic
Torch, the design of which boasts Chinese artistic heritage and technical
excellence.
Source: Hong Kong Post website
|