Today Online 23 May 16;
SINGAPORE — A set of stamps depicting the folklore behind Sisters’ Islands and Kusu Island will be released on Wednesday (May 25).
An exhibition about the two legends will also be held at the Singapore Post’s (SingPost) Suntec Post Office from Wednesday to June 8, in conjunction with the new stamp issue. Titled ‘Tales From Our Shores’, the exhibition is part of the National Heritage Board’s ‘Heritage on The Move’ community programme which seeks to promote Singapore’s multi-racial heritage. It will be open from 11am to 7pm daily.
The Sisters’ Islands folktale tells of a tale about two sisters who drowned themselves in the sea after sea gypsies threatened to separate the sisters. The next day, two islands appeared where the sisters had died. The islands were then named Sisters’ islands, in memory of the two sisters who remained inseparable to the very end.
And the story of Kusu Island, or Turtle Island, is about a giant turtle that rescued two fishermen on its back when they were caught in ferocious storms, and carried the men to the island. Although the fishermen never saw the mysterious turtle again, it has been said people who later visited the island have seen the turtle the turtle resting on the shores.
The new stamp issue, launched in collaboration with the National Heritage Board, is part of SingPost’s Myths and Legends stamp series. The “Sisters’ Islands” and “Kusu Island” stamp set comes in two designs, each with four denominations: 1st Local, 2nd Local, S$0.50 and S$2.00. There is also a Pre-cancelled First Day Cover at S$8.20 that comes affixed with the complete set of stamps.
The stamp issue can be bought at all post offices, the Singapore Philatelic Museum and online at www.stampdelight.com.
Those who buy the new stamps on Wednesday at the Suntec Post Office can also collect a special edition cachet from Singapore Philatelic Bureau staff who will be there from 11am to 5pm.
The last Myths and Legends stamp issue was in October 2014, featuring the tales of “Attack of the Swordfish” and “Sang Nila Utama”.
