A number of postal operators within PUMed, the Postal Union for the Mediterranean, will be issuing stamps featuring as a common theme the boats of the Mediterranean.
Malta will be participating in this initiative by the issue of a stamp featuring the Firilla which in the past was a common sight in harbours around the Maltese Islands.
The Firilla was a wooden sea craft purposely built for speed. It was light and accompanied with sails to increase its speed. Initially the purpose of the Firilla was to ferry sea workers to and from their place of work in a relatively short time. A Firilla of four oars, manned by four rowers could cross from Grand Harbour to Gozo in two and a half hours.
At a later stage, the Firilla was used for fishing as its unique features were suited to this industry particularly when using fishing nets and fish-pots.
About PUMed
The creation of PUMed marks the Mediterranean region as a political, economic and social area. Faced with an ever-changing postal industry, members within PUMed have come together so as to develop projects that will help each postal operator keep up with the challenges of the market. PUMed was officially established on 15 March 2011 and its headquarters are stationed in Malta.
