JSC “Ukrposhta,” in collaboration with the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, has announced a nationwide contest for designs of the “We Are Waiting!” postage stamp, which is scheduled to be issued in time for Independence Day, according to a company statement.
According to Ukrposhta’s press release, the contest is open to anyone interested—artists, illustrators, and designers. To participate, fill out the form at this link. Submissions will be accepted from April 17 through May 8.
It is noted that the sketch must be uploaded in accordance with the requirements: specifically, the format must be JPEG, the resolution must be 300 dpi, the maximum file size is 10 MB, the work must not infringe on the copyrights of third parties, and the use of artificial intelligence is not permitted.
The contest will take place in several stages. First, all interested participants submit their sketches via the form; then, Ukrposhta specialists will review the entries for compliance with the requirements. Subsequently, a jury comprising representatives of Ukrposhta, the Coordination Headquarters, and the Public Council—including families of prisoners of war and those missing in action—will select sketches for the final vote, and the best entries will be featured in the “Diya” mobile app, where Ukrainians will determine the winner through a vote. “The sketch that receives the most votes will become the ‘We Are Waiting’ postage stamp—a symbol of Ukraine’s Independence Day,” emphasized the national postal operator.
As clarified by “Ukrposhta,” contest participants agree that, in the event of a win, they will develop additional designs for the “First Day” envelope and postcard, as well as sign a copyright agreement transferring exclusive property rights.
At the same time, the national postal operator reserves the right to offer authors of other works further collaboration on the creation of postal products.
“Sometimes a small postage stamp can say more than a thousand words. We are waiting for everyone, waiting for victory and peace in our hearts. And we invite Ukrainians to join the contest so that the whole world hears: ‘We are waiting!’” the company emphasizes.
JSC “Ukrposhta” is the national postal operator that provides postal, logistics, financial, and commercial services to private and corporate clients. The company has over 6,000 branches and 26,000 service points throughout Ukraine.
The Miss Ukraina-2021 contest will be held at the Ukraina Palace in October, director of the Miss Ukraina contest Veronika Shchyptsova said.
“This year the Miss Ukraina-2021 contest will take place. We plan to hold it at the Ukraina Palace in October,” Shchyptsova told a press conference at the Interfax-Ukraine agency on Thursday.
She noted that the prize fund of the competition was increased to UAH 1 million, and it was also decided that all participants in the competition would receive valuable prizes and gifts.
“But do not forget that 25 finalists will compete for the main prize – the coveted Miss Ukraina title, an exclusive crown and UAH 500,000. The Miss Earth and Miss International title holders will receive cash rewards of UAH 250,000 each,” Shchyptsova said.
According to her, age restrictions have also changed, and from now on, girls from 17 to 26 years old can apply for participation in the competition.
The jury of the Miss Ukraina contest will consist of both Ukrainian celebrities and international stars, experts in the field of beauty, fashion and television. Shchyptsova said that the guests of the competition, in particular, will be head of the international jewelry company Jacob & Co Jacob Arabo, as well as famous traveler and Ambassador of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Johan Nilsson.
“For the first time in the history of the competition, before the final, we will conduct shooting of a reality show, which opens up for viewers exclusive information about the participants and the Miss Ukraina backstage show,” said the head of the competition committee.
The winner of the final of the Miss Ukraina-2021 contest will represent Ukraine at the international Miss World contest in Puerto Rico in December.
Shchyptsova also said that in 2021 she became the owner and head of the competition committee, purchasing it for UAH 1 million.
“In order to bring the project to a significantly higher level, we attract both Ukrainian and international brands,” she explained.
According to her, this year it was decided to radically change the approach to the preparation of the Miss Ukraina contest, since it turns 30. “We are preparing the brightest and most ambitious show in the history of the competition,” Shchyptsova emphasized.
Open castings are planned to be held in all the largest cities of Ukraine, and Odesa will be the first city on the tour map, the place and date of the selection will be announced in the social networks of the competition.
