STORY: Hungarian designer hopes her Year of Dragon stamp connects Hungary, China
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 1 & 7, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 11, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:37
LOCATION: Budapest
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Year of the Dragon stamps
2. various of the artist signing the first-day covers with the stamps
3. various of people buying the stamps at launch event
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (Hungarian): KATALIN BODI, Stamp designer
4. various of zodiac stamps displayed at the Year of the Dragon stamp launch event
5. various of initial sketches created by the artist
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Hungarian): KATALIN BODI, Stamp designer
7. various of the artist working on computer
8. various of Year of the Dragon stamps
9. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): KATALIN BODI, Stamp designer

STORYLINE:

The Hungarian Post has recently issued commemorative postage stamps to mark the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, or the Year of the Loong.

Katalin Bodi, designer of the stamps, said she hoped her work could help deepen the connection between Hungary and China.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Hungarian): KATALIN BODI, Stamp designer
"Hungary issued stamps on the Chinese zodiac theme. The main message to both the Hungarian and Chinese people might be that we get to know each other's cultures and try to understand them. Our way of thinking is very different, and the (dragon) figure evokes very different associations, but it's very worthwhile to get to know the other side, since quite a few Chinese people live among us in business life and in everyday work and also next door. I think that such a stamp can also provide an opportunity for dialogue."

The designer, who was chosen through a competition to design the commemorative stamp, employed red, gold, and white colors for the stamp, depicting two pairs of skilfully drawn dragons -- two red on white and two gold on red, with the "Year of the Dragon" in both Chinese and Hungarian. The stamp will be printed in 20,000 copies.

Reflecting on her design journey, Bodi shared her insights into navigating cross-cultural challenges, particularly in understanding the Chinese dragon, a symbol rich in meaning and cultural significance.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Hungarian): KATALIN BODI, Stamp designer
"Hungarian designers are not very prepared for far-eastern motifs because our training does not really cover such themes. I had to research the traditional Chinese way of depicting dragons, the meaning of dragons. Obviously, I had to focus on the dragon figure. I learned that it is a very energetic, powerful being with a positive meaning, so I tried to find a pose for it that expresses joy, strength, and happiness. I also had to research what their favorite colors are. I looked at previously designed stamps, considering this art form, the colors are festive, radiating strength, so it was clear that it should not be done in bright multicolor, but in solemn gold and red. May everything they hope for from this come true. May it be a time of revival, a new era of strength. I wish all a happy new year and a successful Year of the Dragon."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): KATALIN BODI, Stamp designer
"Happy New Year! Good luck in the Year of the Dragon!"

The Hungarian Post began issuing Chinese zodiac stamps in 2014. This year's dragon stamp is the 11th edition.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Budapest.
(XHTV)