2017-08-03 Thu

Switzerland is known for its local, regional, and national folk festivals which have also been featured on Swiss stamps. The Folk Customs definitive stamp set was released in 1977 and more denominations of the same set were released in 1982 and 1984. The names of folk festivals are mostly in the local dialect.

Catholic areas of Graubunden are known for carol singing during Epiphany. The 5c stamp of the aforementioned set celebrates Sternsingen or Star singing, native to the village of Bergun in the Albula valley. A group of children are shown on the stamp. One child holds an illuminated star or “Stern” decorated with Christian symbols that can be cranked and rotated. An older version of the celebration features the star created from an umbrella.

The 10c denomination stamp depicts the Zurich festival of Sechselauten. A bell is rung at 6 p.m. on the Monday after vernal equinox to mark the onset of summer. Various guilds of Zurich wear historic costumes and parade through the city to a large public square, where a “Boogg” has been erected over a huge pile of wood.

The “Boogg” is a snowman made of wood with a hat and broom. Its stomach is filled with explosives. The pyre is set ablaze and the guild members ride their horses around it till the belly explodes to welcome the summer. The big card shows the pyre and the galloping horses. The two spires of the Fraumunster are depicted on the background.