In May 2011, the Confederation paved the way for the gradual phasing out of nuclear energy with its Energy Strategy 2050. The aim is cut down on the use of fossil fuels as much as possible and to reduce dependency on other countries. Just three years after the announcement of this agenda, renewable energy is making an appearance on a special stamp to reflect Swiss Post’s shared commitment to sustainable energy sources. Since 2008 it has obtained all of its electricity from renewable energy sources and, since 2012, entirely from Switzerland. Of this, five percent is "naturemade star" certified green electricity produced by wind turbines on Mount Crosin in the canton of Jura and from various farms, small businesses and small ecological hydroelectric power stations throughout Switzerland.

Dizzy heights

Another special stamp continues the nature-related theme, although this time it concerns tourism rather than energy. The stamp showcases the Pilatus cogwheel railway, which steamed into life on 4 June 1889. It took 600 men 400 days to build – undoubtedly a pioneering feat in those days. It is still the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and is regarded as a masterpiece of engineering. For 125 years, it has transported visitors from all over the world to the dizzy height of 2,132 metres above sea level to reveal an unforgettable panorama over the lakes and mountains of central Switzerland.

Musical Europe

This year, Europe’s postal organizations are publishing "Europa" special stamps depicting images of traditional national musical instruments. Bernese graphic artist Marc Weller has designed two special stamps for Swiss Post, each with a face value of one franc. On one stamp, he scales down the Alphorn from its original length of 3.4 metres to a stamp-sized version measuring just 40 x 32.5 millimetres. No other instrument reflects the Swiss people’s love of their homeland better than the Alphorn. The second stamp features another instrument that is thought of as typically Swiss, although its roots actually lie in ancient Persia: the dulcimer. It is said that travelling musicians first brought the instrument to our country. The very first mention of the dulcimer was in 1447, in a Zurich "Ratsbuch" (council minutes). Today, the most widespread form of the instrument is the Appenzell dulcimer, which has a trapezoidal shape.

Valuable cultural heritage

Swissness is also embodied in the new Pro Patria series of stamps. Over the next few years, the foundation Pro Patria has set itself the goal of providing financial and non-material support to Switzerland’s 400 or so local and regional museums in their quest to share the country’s valuable cultural heritage. The latest special stamps with surcharge portray a Basel larval mask from the Binningen local museum, an apprentice watch from the Museum Hôtel-Dieu in Porrentruy, a medieval hurdy gurdy from the Willisau Musical Instrument Collection and a Marseille roof tile from the Museo del Malcantone in Curio.

Emotional sporting event

The "Special Olympics National Games 2014" special stamp reveals an athletic side to Swiss Post. The special stamp with a face value of one franc is dedicated to what is probably Switzerland’s most emotional sporting event. The Special Olympics National Games are being held in Berne from 29 May to 1 June 2014, when around 1,500 athletes with disabilities will compete in 13 different sports. The emphasis is not on performance and competition. A love of sport, the courage to take part and being well-prepared for the event are the only entry requirements.

The smallest of the biggest

Swiss Post has issued three special stamps on the topic of "Cities of Switzerland" every year since 2012. The previous issues from 2012 and 2013 gave rather an unusual insight into the six biggest Swiss cities. This year, it’s the turn of the smallest of the biggest: St. Gallen, Lucerne and Lugano. Three students from the graphic design course at the Basel School of Design have drawn their own impressions of the three cities.

Subjects of the 2/2014 stamp issue – valid from 8 May 2014

• Renewable energy – special stamp at CHF 1
• 125 Years Pilatus cogwheel railway – special stamp at CHF 1
• Europa – National music instruments – special stamps: "Dulcimer" at CHF 1 and "Alphorn" at CHF 1.
• Pro Patria – Local museums – special stamps with surcharge: "Binningen BL" at CHF 1.25 (0.85+0.40), "Curio TI" at CHF 1.25 (0.85+0.40), "Porrentruy JU" at CHF 1.50 (1.00+0.50) and "Willisau LU" at CHF 1.50 (1.00+0.50)
• Special Olympics National Games – special stamp at CHF 1
• Cities of Switzerland – special stamps: "St Gallen" at CHF 1, "Lucerne" at CHF 1 and "Lugano" at CHF 1

Available from www.swisspost.ch/philashop and from Swiss post offices.

You can find detailed information in the current issue of the stamp magazine, "Focus on Stamps": www.swisspost.ch/focusonstamps