1. Organizers, Purpose, Time and Venue
The Estonian Philatelic Federation will organize the International Philatelic Exhibition Mare Balticum 2024.
The purposes of Mare Balticum 2024 are to improve the philatelic contacts and cooperation around the Baltic Sea and overseas.
The Mare Balticum 2024 exhibition venue is the Estonian National Museum, Muuseumi tee 2, 60532 Tartu from Friday July 26th until Sunday July 28th 2024.
The Mare Balticum 2024 exhibition is also part of the official Tartu 2024 European Capital of Culture program.
Mare Balticum 2024 exhibition has been given FEPA recognition.
2. Regulations
The exhibition is governed by:
– The General Regulations of the FIP for the Evaluation of Competitive Exhibits (GREV);
– The Special Regulations and Guidelines of the FIP for the Evaluation of Competitive Exhibits (SREV);
– FEPA Regulations for Narrow Theme Exhibits (1-2-3 frame exhibits) (Proposed guidelines to be ratified at FEPA Congress 2023)
– These Individual Regulations (IREX).
These Individual Regulations (IREX) are available in English on the Mare Balticum 2024 website (www.marebalticum.ee).
3. Exhibition Classes
Mare Balticum 2024 will include approximately 500 frames. The exhibition classes are as follows:
1)Non Competitive Class
2) Competitive Classes
2.1. Traditional Philately
2.2. Postal History
2.3. Aerophilately and Astrophilately
2.4. Postal Stationery
2.5. Thematic Philately
2.6. Open Philately
2.7. Modern Philately
2.8. Revenues
2.9. Picture postcards
2.10. Youth Philately
2.11. Philatelic Literature
The Philatelic Literature class (2.11) can also be entered by philatelic publications made for electronic media.
The class for Youth Philately (2.10) is subdivided according to age as follows:
A. Up to 15 years;
B. 16 to 18 years;
C. 19 to 21 years.
The age group in the Youth Philately class is determined by the exhibitor’s age at 01.01.2024.
The Organizing Committee has the sole right to apply limitations concerning the number of accepted exhibits or the number of frames allocated to a certain exhibit.
4. Participation and Qualification
Entitled to participate in Mare Balticum 2024 are members of the National or Youth Philatelic Federations of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, United Kingdom, U.S.A and all members of the Estonian Philatelic Unions. All exhibits dealing with Estonia, around the world, are also entitled to participate in the exhibition. All literature class exhibits worldwide are also entitled to participate in the exhibition MARE BALTICUM 2024.
The qualification requirements for participation in classes 2.1. – 2.9. are that the exhibitor, with his/her exhibit, has been awarded at least a Silver medal (70 points) in a national level exhibition. Exhibits in Youth Class (2.10.) and Literature Class (2.11) do not have this requirement.
The Organizing Committee can, on request from the General commissioner, approve exhibits that do not qualify according to the rules above.
Exhibits that have been awarded a Grand Prix in the Championship Class at a FIP, FEPA, FIAF or FIAP exhibition are not eligible for participating in the Competitive Classes.
The exhibitors must appreciate, and confirm, that they are only allowed to show items owned by themselves. The major part of the exhibit shall have been the property of the exhibitor for at least two years before the exhibition.
An exhibitor is allowed to apply for participation with more than one exhibit. In case of shortage of available frames the Organizing Committee can reject one or more exhibit(s) per exhibitor.
Participants may exhibit under a pseudonym. The identity of the exhibitor shall be known to the National Commissioner, Organizing Committee and the Jury.
Jury members and Jury apprentices cannot participate in any Competitive Class.
In Literature Class, monographs and special studies must have been published in 2019 or later. All other printed entries must have been published in 2022 or later. For periodicals, the most recent complete volume or year shall be exhibited. The exhibitors of the Literature Class (2.11) shall send one copy of each title or volume to the Organizing Committee. The copy will not be returned unless the exhibitor wishes otherwise. In such a case, the exhibitor will be charged with the mailing fees.
5. Languages
Estonian exhibitors may show their exhibits in Estonian language. However, the introductory page and synopsis (if delivered) must be written in English. All other exhibits shall be shown in one of the FIP official languages: in English, in German, in French or in Spanish. Application form shall be written in English or German.
6. Applications
For each exhibit a specific electronic application is necessary. The electronic application form is available on the Mare Balticum 2024 website (www.marebalticum.ee). The deadline for applications is 29.02.2024.
The exhibitor fills in the form on the website and presses “submit”. A copy of the application is then sent by email to the exhibitor. To finish the application, all exhibitors should then send their application forms – as signed – to their National Commissioner. The National Commissioner verifies and sends all applications from that country to the General Commissioner, right after the mentioned deadline for applications.
The signed entry forms sent to National Commissioners must be accompanied by an introductory page of the exhibit. The introductory page is mandatory, but it can be preliminary and can be altered after the exhibit has been entered, although the name of the exhibit must remain the same. For exhibits in the Literature Class (2.11) no introductory page is requested.
A synopsis of up to two A4 pages (single sided) may also be submitted. Synopsis is optional, but highly recommended.
Those exhibitors living in countries where no National Commissioner has been appointed, should apply as described above. However, instead of a National Commissioner, their applications are to be verified and sent to the General Commissioner by the National Federation in question.
All applications for participation, including application forms, introductory pages and synopses, must be submitted by the National Commissioners to the Mare Balticum 2024 General Comissioner Mr. Oliver Hanschmidt by email to info@marebalticum.ee.
Electronic transmission of application with attachments is allowed only with relevant electronic signature. All other applications have to be sent by ordinary mail.
The Organization Committee will inform applicants of accepted exhibits and number of frames allocated not later than 31.03.2024.
The exhibition catalogue will show the title given in the application form. In addition, a brief description can be provided for the catalogue.
The Organization Committee can without any explanation approve or reject applications. The decisions of the Committee are communicated through the National Commissioners.
7. Fees
Participation fee in the competitive classes (2.1-2.9) is 35 EUR per frame. However, for one-frame exhibits (in classes 2.1-2.9) the fee is 50 EUR. In the Literature Class (2.11) the fee is 50 EUR per exhibit. There will be no fee for the Youth Class (2.10).
Applicable fee for participation should be paid, according to given invoice, not later than 30.4.2024.
Exhibition catalogue and a list of results (Palmarès) will be available only electronically at www.marebalticum.ee.
8. Exhibition Frames, Sheet Size and Frame Allocation
The exhibits (except in the Philatelic Literature class, 2.11) will be mounted in standard Nordic frames with the display dimensions of 89 x 119 cm. Each frame can hold 16 sheets size A4 (210 x 297 mm) in four rows of four (4×4). Exhibits mounted on sheets size A3 (297 x 420 mm) are accepted. However, it should be notified on the application form. (The height of the transparent protective covers must be no more than 305 mm).
In Competitive Classes (2.1 – 2.9) each exhibit can have one to eight frames.
In Youth Philately Class (2.10) the number of frames are as follows:
Age group A: Min. 2 and max. 4 frames (32-64 sheets);
Age group B: Min. 3 and max. 5 frames (48-80 sheets);
Age group C: Min. 4 and max. 5 frames (64-80 sheets).
9. Medals, Prizes and Diplomas
The non-competitive exhibits in class 1.2. will be awarded with exhibition medals.
Grand Prix Mare Balticum 2024 is awarded by the Jury to the highest scored exhibit of the Competitive Classes;
Grand Prix National is awarded by the Jury to the highest scored exhibit in the National Group (exhibits treating Estonia);
Grand Prix International is awarded by the Jury to the highest scored exhibit in the International Group (all other countries and areas);
If two or more exhibits share the same highest score, the Jury votes for the Grand Prix winner in a secret ballot.
All Grand Prix awards are valuable pieces of art. Grand Prix can be awarded only if the exhibit concerned has scored enough points for a Gold medal (90 points or more).
One-frame exhibits are awarded with One Frame Exhibit certificates, with points achieved and exhibition medals.
For multi-frame exhibits (shown in two to eight frames) in classes 2.1 – 2.9 and 2.11 the following medals are available: Large Gold (95 points or more), Gold (90-94 points), Large Vermeil (85-89 points), Vermeil (80-84), Large Silver (75-79), Silver (70-74), Silver Bronze (65-69) and Bronze (60-64 points).
For the Youth Philately class (2.10) the following medals are available: Vermeil, Large Silver, Silver, Silver Bronze and Bronze.
All multi-frame exhibits in the Competitive Classes are also given a certificate informing about achieved medal level and points awarded to the exhibit.
Exhibits not awarded a medal will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Exhibits in classes 2.1 – 2.11 can, in addition to the medals, be awarded special prizes by the Jury.
10. Jury
Exhibits in the Competitive Classes will be judged by a Jury appointed by the Organizing Committee. Jury Chairman and majority of the jurors shall be FIP qualified. The Jury can, without consulting the exhibitor, transfer an exhibit from one Competitive Class to another, however, always to the benefit of the exhibitor. The Jury is, in its evaluation, independent of earlier results obtained by the exhibit. The decisions of the Jury are final and cannot by appealed.
The work of the Jury is carried out according to the FIP Regulations for Evaluation of Exhibits (GREV and SREVs).
If the Jury discovers manipulated, fake or improved items in an exhibit without a proper description of this fact in the exhibit, it may be downgraded, at least, by one medal level. A report on this will be sent to the General commissioner, the exhibitor and his/her respective National Philatelic Federation.
11. Obligations for Exhibitors
All communication between an exhibitor and the Organizing Committee shall go through the National commissioner. This does not apply to invited exhibits.
Every sheet of an exhibit shall be inserted in a transparent protective cover. The sheets must be numbered consecutively, at the front bottom left or right hand corner to be visible to volunteers and jurors.
The letter „e“ or „E“ should be marked next to expertized items. Certificates in original or copy must be placed at the disposal of the Jury either by inserting them in protectors behind the appropriate pages, or by depositing them with the National Commissioner.
No other material than exhibit sheets shown in frames, will be accepted (except Literature Class exhibits). No item mounted on sheets can be thicker than 5 mm.
12. Delivery of Exhibits and Mounting
Exhibits from countries outside Estonia must be delivered by the National Commissioner to the bin room of the venue at a date and time to be agreed with the Organizing Committee. The National Commissioner will directly afterwards be mounting the exhibits, and after exhibition has closed the National Commissioner will also dismount the exhibits. Where no National Commissioner has been appointed, individual arrangements must be made directly with the Organizing Committee.
Exhibits from Estonia can be delivered by the exhibitors themselves.
Exhibits in the Literature Class (2.11) shall arrive to the exhibition, not later than 01.07.2024. Mailing address will be notified in conjunction with information about acceptance of the exhibit.
If an exhibit is not delivered, or mounted, within the time limits given above, the exhibitor is not entitled to participate in the exhibition. The frame fee is not refundable.
13. Dismounting of Exhibits
Dismounting of exhibits will start immediately after closing down the exhibition on Sunday July 28th. Dismounting by an exhibitor himself/herself has to be assisted by a member of the exhibition staff. The exhibitor concerned shall notify this in the application form and has to report to appropriate commissioner before dismounting and after dismounting the exhibit.
14. Customs Regulations
Information about required customs declarations and other documents will be given by the General commissioner.
15. Security Matters and Insurance Requirements
Exhibitors are responsible for securing appropriate insurance for their exhibits for the entire time that the exhibits are out of their hands. The Organizing Committee is not responsible for such insurance, and all expenses in securing insurance are the responsibility of the exhibitor. The Organizing Committee will not be liable for any loss of or damage to any exhibit, in whole or in part, whatever the cause.
16. Additional Information
Additional information, which is important for all participants in the exhibition, will be published only on the website of the exhibition (www.marebalticum.ee). Therefore, it is important to monitor coming updates.
17. Changes and Inconsistencies
The Organizing Committee is entitled to modify these Individual Regulations. The National Commissioners and exhibitors should be informed about this as soon as possible if it occurs. Information will be given only through the official website of the exhibition.
The Organizing Committee is also entitled to make final decisions in matters that cannot be resolved through these Individual Regulations, or through regulations mentioned in section 2.
The exhibitor accepts these Individual Regulations and is obliged to comply with them by signing the Application Form.
Any judicial demands should be delivered to the Organizing Committee by 29.07.2024 at the latest. Those judicial disputes should be handled according to Estonian Law in an Estonian court.
If the English and the Estonian version of the Special Regulations are contradictory, the English version overrules the Estonian version.

Contact information of the Organizing Committee:
Oliver Hanschmidt
Chairman of the Organizing Committee and General Commissioner

e-mail: info@marebalticum.ee
phone: +372 5555 1016
website: www.marebalticum.ee