Philcolux - Exphimo The Philatelic Association Philcolux 'Association Luxembourgeoise de Philatélie Constructive' was founded on October 4th, 1955 in Luxembourg. The 1st president was Georges Heischling, in 1971 he was succeeded by Willy Serres, and from 1999 Roger Thill precides the association. Very early, the responsables were decided to organize stamp exhibitions. On the 16th of May in 1959 the first Exphimo - EXPosition PHIlatélique MONdorf opened his doors for the public in the spa town of Mondorf-les-Bains in Luxembourg. Theme of the first Exphimo was 'Flowers'. Many other exphibitions under different themes should follow: Europa, Aviation, Victor Hugo, Railways, Music and International Augusto Massari price, Printing, Religion, Navigation, Cars, Agriculture, Wine, Ornitology, Sports, Chess, Heraldry, Geology, Economy, Money, Zoology and the Philatelic Exhibtion for one frames with the whole spectrum of topics. The Exphimo is organized in collaboration with specialized international thematic groups. Some of them have been present at the Exphimo for more than one occasion - they insisted to come back, to celebrate the anniversay of the group, held meetings a.s.o. Philcolux has organized till now 60 stamp exhibitions under the denomination of Exphimo. For the 50th edition, most of the ancient thematic groups gave as the honour to participate with some collections. It was a pleasure for us as organizers. During those 60 shows, we have been glad to give the possibilty to more than 1.700 different collectors to show their collections. More than 1000 of them came from different countries as Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, United States, Finland, France, Great-Britain, Greece, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Portugal, Italie, Norvay, Sweden, Switzerland, Czeoslovakia, Ukraine, India and of course, from Luxembourg. Imagine how many work has been realized an how many pages have been shown. For the following years we will be glad to organize the Exphimo with the 4th one frame competition and open philately, the 60th edition will see the Birdpex 8 and in 2019 we are honored to organize once more the Augusto Massari price. Every Exphimo is a highlight! It is amazing to see the people coming from all around presenting their artworks. A specifity of Exphimo is to present many collections of the same topic. This way, it is possible to compare the different collections, the way, how in the different country's people arrange their collections. As organizer, we also try to have, apart the Luxemburgish jury, a jury member from abroad with specialized knowledges of the specific topics. Every Exphimo is a highlight! It is amazing to see the people coming from all around presenting their artworks. A specifity of Exphimo is to present many collections of the same topic. This way, it is possible to compare the different collections, the way, how in the different country's people arrange their collections. As organizer, we also try to have, apart the Luxemburgish jury, a jury member from abroad with specialized knowledges of the specific topics. When it is possible, we try to get, apart of the stamps, also other non-philatelic events or exhibitons as for example paintings, bookprinting, geanology ... this in order to welcome non philatelists to our show and get them interested to our hobby. Of course, it wasn't possible to realize such an event for 58 years without the help of many other actors, especially I think about the City Council of Mondorf-les-Bains, which put at our disposal the localities, the Post Philately Luxembourg, providing the special handstamp and the 'post office' at the exhibition, the Luxemburgish Stamp Federation - FSPL, the different international Philatelic associations of the BdPH (Bund Deutscher Philatelisten), more than 20 different groups have participated til now, the AFPT (Association Française de Philatélie Thématique). Thematic collectors from Switzerland and Austria as well as our friends from Wetteren in Belgium and many other international phiatelic groups. In the association managment we are only 6 persons for the moment. Even if we are only few persons, everyone makes his job and therefore it is possible to manage to organize every year a new Exphimo. No Exphimo is like the one before, every year is a new challenge. Knowing that you have people to trust on during the year but also during the exhibition is very important. We welcome new voluntarys. It is also very important to feel in a big family, to get the help from the philatelic associations from abroad, to know many people with common interest. Some become not only philatelic friends, no some get more personal friendships lasting for a lifetime . That is motivating! Get motivated as well and have a look at our homepage www.philcolux.lu Roger Thill President of the Philcolux