NEWS
2nd stamp edition from 09 May / 05 June
Europa – Peace
This year's Europa stamp is dedicated to the theme of peace and will be officially issued on 9 May 2023. In a stamp competition, the association of European public postal operators (PostEurop) chose the "Together" motif (face value: CHF 1.80) by designers Linda Bos and Runa Egilsdottir from Luxembourg as the winning stamp.
The two designers created a new peace symbol for their competition entry. It shows interlocking hearts inspired by the Celtic love knot. By adding hands with intertwined fingers, the motif conveys the message of mutual respect. The range of colours used represents all the nations of the world.
Liechtenstein's competition entry, designed by Isabella Gassner and entitled "Hopeful" (face value: CHF 1.80), will appear at the same time as the second special stamp.
Her motif is intended to renew hope for peace. The colourful motif shows a child carrying the fragile Earth as a balloon while holding a lollipop in her other hand, symbolising the taste of peace. The girl looks towards a peaceful future where a colourful rainbow and a dove of peace await her.
100 Years of the Lawena Power Plant
100 years ago, the foundation stone was laid in Liechtenstein for the country's general electricity supply. On 11 January 1923, the then Prince Johann II approved a law establishing the national company "Landeswerk Lawena". This was the origin of the Liechtenstein power station, which today remains responsible for all matters relating to Liechtenstein’s electricity supply.
The electrification of the Principality took place in stages. As early as 1880, initial measurements were taken with a view to the possible realisation of a hydroelectric power plant. Although the Liechtenstein Parliament passed a resolution in 1914 to use the water of the Lawena Valley to generate electricity, several years passed before the project could be implemented.
Finally, in 1927, the construction was completed and the power plant was put into operation. Since then, water has been rushing through a 2,058-metre-long penstock with a gradient of about 880 metres towards the powerhouse.
To mark the anniversary, we are dedicating a special souvenir sheet with three stamps to the Lawena power plant. The stamps "Waterwheel" (face value: CHF 1.10), "Switchgear" (face value: CHF 1.80) and "Turbine" (face value: CHF 2.30) show three sections of a black-and-white photograph of the interior of the power plant.
SEPAC-Traditional Markets
Traditional fairs have been held in Liechtenstein in autumn for many years. At these fairs, livestock breeding cooperatives and farmers' associations hold agricultural shows. Owners of cattle, horses, sheep and goats present their animals to the public and to juries of experts. The latter award prizes to the best looking four-legged animals in various categories. The sale of farm produce and everyday products is also a permanent feature of the markets.
Our special stamp "Stäger Breemimarcht" (face value: CHF 1.80) is Liechtenstein's contribution to this year's SEPAC issue. The association of the twelve smallest postal operators in Europe issues a stamp on a common theme every year, in 2023 on the theme of "Traditional Markets".
The motif by photographer Klaus Schädler depicts a market scene from 1977 in the hamlet of Steg in Triesenberg. The "Breemimarcht", as it is called in dialect, has been a tradition in the mountain village since 1938. In the municipality of Eschen, the Unterland fair has been held since 1927, while the markets in Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein, were mentioned as early as 1592.
Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023
This year's Special Olympics World Games will take place in Berlin from 17 to 25 June 2023. Around 7,000 athletes with intellectual and multiple disabilities will compete in 26 sports. Liechtenstein will participate as one of the 190 delegations.
The special stamp "Joy of Sport" (face value: CHF 1.80) is intended to spread the message of the Special Olympics throughout the world. Designer Luigi Olivadoti depicts four sportsmen and sportswomen on the stamp using the Olympic rings and colours as a model.
With its colourfulness and the cheerful figures doing gymnastics, the stamp underlines the joy felt by all those involved in the common sporting activity.
The non-profit foundation and recognised sports organisation Special Olympics Liechtenstein stands for an inclusive society, characterised by mutual respect and acceptance.
Its goal is to create communal experiences, joy and recognition through sport. Around 140 athletes use the various sporting opportunities to keep fit, improve their performance and have fun together on a regular basis. Some of the athletes will take part in the international competition in Berlin.
Panorama – Cultivated Land
Agricultural land characterises a large part of the landscape in Liechtenstein's valley region. Nevertheless, the population of this small state has less than 400 square metres of arable land per capita at its disposal compared with the global average of around 2,000 square metres per capita. As a result, much of the food needed here is produced abroad.
Our new panorama stamps in the se-tenant "Global Field Vaduz" and "Field Gamprin" (left and right, face value: CHF 1.10 each) take up this theme and draw attention to the fact that sufficient green and arable land will continue to be needed in the future so that we can supply at least part of food needed from our own resources.
The Weltacker Plus initiative was launched with this in mind. It sets incentives for regional, diverse and resource-conserving food production in Liechtenstein. At suitable locations, valuable crops for food are grown on selected organic farms and made accessible to consumers. Flowering strips for bees round off the diversity of crops in the fields.
