New French Stamp Stirs Controversy

RFI, a French public service radio station and website for people around the world, reports, "A new version of the well-known French postal stamp picturing Marianne, a fictional revolutionary hero, has stirred debate after its designer explained that his inspiration was a controversial Ukrainian feminist, now based in Paris."

Olivier Ciappa, one of the stamp's designers, when asked who was the model for Marianne, was quoted as saying she was "a mix of several women, but particularly Inna Shevchenko."

According to the piece, "The 23-year-old Shevchenko, who has been granted political asylum in France, is the leader of the French branch of Femen, a group which began in Ukraine and describes itself as "radical feminist" and is "best known for topless protests and frequently targets Catholic or Muslim religious authorities."

The article went on to say, "President Francois Hollande asked a group of 15 and 16 year old school students to choose the stamp from a selection designed by different artists. It was unveiled at an official ceremony on Sunday, Bastille Day."

On Monday, the leader of the France’s newly-formed Christian Democratic Party called for a boycott of the new stamp. 

Shown above, the new controversial stamp and one of its designers.

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