International Philatelic Exhibition BALKANFILA 2010

1. Venue and date
  • 1.1. The International Philatelic Exhibition BALKANFILA 2010 continues to consolidate and develop the friendship between the philatelists from the Balkan Region. The exhibition will be held at one of “International Fair Plovdiv” halls.
  • 1.2. BALKANFILA 2010 will be held from October 28th to 31st 2010.
2. Organization and Patronage
  • 2.1. BALKANFILA 2010 is organized by the Ministry of Transport, Bulgarian Posts Plc., Union of Bulgarian Philatelists, “International Fair Plovdiv” and Plovdiv Municipality.
  • 2.2. BALKANFILA 2010 will be held under the support of Federation of European Philatelic Associations (FEPA).
  • 2.3. The exhibition is under the High Patronage of Mr. Alexander Tzvetkov, Minister of Transport.
3. Regulations
  • 3.1. For BALKANFILA 2010 the following regulations set by International Federation of Philately (FIP) apply:

a) FEPA Regulations for Exhibitions (FREGEX)
b) General Regulations for the Evaluation of Competitive Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions /GREV/
c) Special Regulations for the Evaluation of Competitive Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions /SREVs/
d) Special Regulations for the “Open Class” (experimental)
e) Special Regulations for “One frame” Class (experimental)
f) Special Regulations for BALKANFILA 2010

  • 3.2. Participation of exhibits in the “Open Class” will be subject of the Guidelines for organization this class worked out in the Special Regulations of FIP for the “Open Class”.
  • 3.3. Participation of exhibits in “One frame” Class will be subject of the Guidelines for organization of this class, worked out in the Special Regulations of FIP for “One-frame” Class.
4. Classification of the exhibits
  • A. Non-Competitive Classes:

Class A.1 Official Class
         a) postal authorities
         b) postal museums
Class A.2 Invited exhibits
         a) Balkan Philatelic Gems – exhibits awarded with LG medals at FIP/FEPA exhibitions.

  • B. Competitive classes:

Class B.1. Postal History
Class B.2. Maximaphily
Class B.3. “Open Class”
Class B.4. “One Frame Class”
Class B.5. “Literature”

5. Participants
  • 5.1. Collectors who are members of societies affiliated to federations of Balkan countries and invited exhibitors from not Balkan countries.
  • 5.2. Exhibits in the competitive classes must have achieved a minimum of 75 points or awarded with Vermeil medal at an exhibition of national level. The commissioner confirms the quality of the new exhibits.
  • 5.3. No more than two exhibits at the exhibition per individual – one exhibit for two different classes. For Class “Literature” there are no restrictions.
  • 5.4. Those decisions regarding the applications of the exhibits and their acceptance will be the subject to Article 9-19 of the FIP General Regulations for Exhibitions (GREX).
6. Applications and Acceptance
  • 6.1. The entry form is to be accompanied by a photocopy of the introductory sheet of the exhibit and sent to the respective national Commissioner.
  • 6.2. The entry form will be sent by the national Commissioner to the Organizing Committee not later than May 10th 2010.
  • 6.3. Exhibits must be entered under the correct classification. The Jury reserves the right to reassign the incorrectly classification. No exhibit can be entered in more than one class. The contents of the exhibits must be in accordance with the moral and ethical standards as well as the public peace in the Republic of Bulgaria.
  • 6.4. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to reject any exhibit without assigning any reason for rejection.
  • 6.5. Every exhibit accepted will be listed in the official exhibition catalogue under its given title as stated in the entry form, and with a short description.
  • 6.6. The list of accepted exhibits will be sent to the national Commissioners not later than June 15th 2010, thus giving enough time to inform the exhibitors, to collect the entry fees and send them back to the address indicated by the Organizing Committee not later than September 30th 2010.
7. Participation fees
  • 7.1. The participation fee in the competitive classes is 20 Euro for one frame and 20 Euro for every title in Class “Literature”. Participation fees are not refundable.
8. Frame allocation and sizes
  • 8.1. There will be approximately 300 frames for the competitive classes measured 1000x1200mm. One frame holds 16 sheets measured DIN A4 /210x295 mm/.
  • 8.2. The sheets will be mounted in four rows of four. Each sheet must be placed in a transparent protective cover.
  • 8.3. Multiple size sheets may be accommodated but must be noted on the entry forms and coordinated with the organizers.
  • 8.4. Philatelic literature will be displayed in special exhibition cabinets or in halls to be at visitor’s disposal.
  • 8.5. The Organizing Committee will decide on the allocation of frames in the Non-competitive Classes.
  • 8.6. In the competitive classes the allocation of frames is as follows:

- 8 frames to those exhibits awarded a Large Vermeil medal at FIP/FEPA exhibitions;
-5 frames for other exhibits awarded a lower medal, including first time international appearance.
“Open Class” – a maximum of 5 and a minimum of 3 frames.

9. Presentation of exhibits
  • 9.1. All exhibits must be mounted on white or light colored sheets.
  • 9.2. Exhibits mounted on dark colored or black sheets will not be accepted.
10. Jury
  • 10.1. As far as the Jury is concerned, the members will work in accordance with the FIP General Regulations for Exhibitions (GREX), Section V, articles 31 to 47, both inclusive and the Guidelines for the Jury Duties and Credentials in the FIP Exhibitions.
11. Awards
  • 11.1. Awards will be given in accordance with the FIP General Regulations for Exhibitions (GREX), the General Regulations for the Evaluation of Competitive Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions (GREV) and the Special Regulations for the Evaluation of the Competitive Exhibits at FIP Exhibitions (SREVs).
  • 11.2. Awards for the exhibits from Competitive Classes:

-Large Gold medal
-Gold medal
-Large Vermeil medal
-Vermeil medal
-Large Silver medal
-Silver medal
-Silver bronze medal
-Bronze medal
The medals are from base metal

12. Delivery and Return of the Exhibits
  • 12.1. All exhibits must be sent in envelopes specially provided by the Organizing Committee. Each sheet must be numbered and enclosed in a transparent protective cover closed by three sides. The numbering will be continuous and placed in any of the frontal lower corners.
  • 12.2. Exhibits in the Class “Literature” must be in duplicate and provided in advance not latter than September 15th 2010. Exhibits in the Class “Literature” will not be returned.
  • 12.3. All expenses in connection with sending the exhibit shall be paid by the exhibitor. The exhibits will be returned to the exhibitors by the way they are sent (Art.51.1 GREX).
  • 12.5. The Organizing Committee recommends the exhibits to be delivered and returned by the national commissioners.
13. Insurance and security
  • 13.1. Every exhibitor must insure at his own expense the exhibit presented to BALKANFILA 2010. The Organizing Committee will afford the insurance expenses of the invited exhibits in the Court of Honor.
  • 13.2. The Organizing Committee of BALKANFILA 2010 will take the appropriate measures to safeguard the handling and display of exhibits, from their arrival until their return.
  • 13.3. The Organizing Committee of BALKANFILA 2010 and their employees, whether they are paid or voluntary, will not be liable for any loss or damage to an exhibit from the time of receipt to its return.
  • 13.4. For all legal questions arising between the Organizing Committee of BALKANFILA 2010 and the exhibitors the Laws of the Republic of Bulgaria shall apply exclusively.
14. Customs
  • 14.1. Special instructions concerning Customs regulations for export and import of exhibits coming from abroad from countries outside the European Union shall be sent to the national Commissioners.
  • 14.2. Exhibitors must deliver to their national Commissioners, before sending entries, a list or inventory, indicating in every sheet the number of stamps or postal items, and their estimated value.
15. About the Organizing Committee
  • 15.1. The Organizing Committee of BALKANFILA 2010 reserves the right to change the present regulations. In such case exhibitors will be informed of any modification at once.
  • 15.2. By signing the final entry form, every exhibitor accepts these Special Regulations for BALKANFILA 2010.
  • 15.3. The interpretation and solution of those questions not included in the present Regulations, are up to the Organizing Committee of BALKANFIALA 2010 decision and that decision will be final.
  • 15.4. In case of discrepancy or disagreement which could not be solved in a friendly way between the parties, the place of jurisdiction shall be Sofia City Court.

    • Addresses for correspondence:
        Organizing Committee of BALKANFILA 2010
        Post Box 190, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
        Phone: 00359-2-958 63 74
        e-mail: sbfbul@yahoo.com
        web: www.philatelyunion.bg

NOTE: In the event of deviations attributable to differences in the various language versions of this Special Regulations of BALKANFILA 2010, the Bulgarian version is binding.