[attach id=463923 size="medium"]A postal history item showing the sinking of the Star of Malta in 1955.[/attach]

It is not how much knowledge people have at their fingertips that spurs them to learn; it is what stimulates their interest. Nowadays, when all the facts of the world are available at the touch of a button, the age-old hobby of stamp collecting can serve that purpose well.

The organisers of Maltex, Malta’s annual major philately and postal history exhibition, are well aware that stamp and postcard collecting can pique interest in various subjects.

This year’s event, which is taking place at the Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana this weekend, will carry the theme Education Through Philately.

History, geography, culture, traditions and customs form the subject matter of stamps from around the world.

“Philately is a hobby that the individual does freely and with pleasure,” said the president of the Malta Philatelic Society, Alfred Bonnici.

“It therefore educates and enhances one’s knowledge in a subtle way. More often than not the youngster does not realise that his knowledge is being enhanced. It is education without tears.”

Bonnici gives the example of collecting stamps about the British colonies – one gets to know where they are located, their political advancement, their industry, their exports and so on.

Philately educates and enhances one’s knowledge in a subtle way

The 16th edition of the exhibition will feature traditional stamps, unique items of postal history and thematic collections.

The Minister of Education, Evarist Bartolo, will inaugurate the exhibition tomorrow. It will open to the public on Friday and Saturday from 9am to 6pm and on Sunday from 9am until 12pm.

Maltapost plc will be offering postal services at their temporary post office set in the exhibition hall while foreign and local philatelic dealers will offer professional advice and free valuations.

Entrance to the event is free. For more information, visit www.sliemastampshop.com.mt/maltaphilatelicsociety.