Seasonal beauty
Each of the seasons has its own special appeal, as celebrated by these four new stamp designs one for each season. Four seasons, four moods: in Switzerland, the spectacle put on by nature every year can be divided into four chapters, with each season having its own special feel. In a bold and colourful style, the new stamp set highlights how the different seasons are experienced in Switzerland. The stamps combine elements from nature, the animal world and human activities in harmonious and dynamic designs.
Spring
Spring sees the return of life. Typical harbingers such as crocuses begin to sprout early in spring, bringing colour to gardens. Soon after, birds start building their nests. Notwith standing milder temperatures beckoning outdoors, spring’s particular appeal is in its erratic and unsettled weather, with frost, snow or rain. But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. And with a little luck,
there may even be a rainbow on the horizon.
Summer
Bright sunshine, a dip in the cool water, then a refreshing ice cream this stamp show cases summer at its best. With over 15 hours of daylight, the warmest season also gives us the longest days. At the same time, lasting around 93 days, summer is also our longest season here in the northern hemi sphere. The difference in the length of the seasons is explained by the Earth’s elliptical orbit. If it were exactly circular, all four seasons would last around 91 days.
Winter
Fresh snow, fun on the slopes and chat over the fondue a Swiss winter’s day par excellence. During the cold season, ski resorts
small and large welcome winter sports enthusiasts, while in the cities the various Christmas markets make for a festive atmosphere. And it’s hard to imagine winter without convivial evenings over fondue or raclette. In 2022, according to the Swiss Milk Producers organization, per capita consumption of cheese in Switzerland was around 23 kilograms.
Autumn
In September, as the wind slowly changes, autumn begins: the forests turn shades of red, orange, and gold. This is also when some forest animals such as squirrels start preparing for winter, busily collecting nuts and seeds and stashing them in various places to tide them over. Their keen senses of smell and direction give them the ability to find their stashes again later. And anything they do forget will only benefit the forest, as new vegetation later grows from the provisions they left behind.
