Luxembourg: 40th Collector's Fair in Ettelbrück + Special Hot Air Ballon Flight

This cover below commemorates the first balloon mail flight in Ettelbrück, Luxembourg, carried by the balloon "Feierwôn LX-BOT" (with a cachet from the flight on the back). It was issued on the occasion of the 40th Collector's Fair in Ettelbrück, held on March 9, 2025. The cover is franked with a stamp celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the hot air balloon Feierwôn (1975–2025). The name Feierwôn is a reference to the song by Luxembourg poet Michel Lentz, which was written in 1859 to mark the first train journey from Luxembourg railway station. The ballon which made the flight was not the original one from 1975. Today’s Feierwôn is already the fifth replica.

Stamp:

50 years First Flight of the Hot Air Ballon "Feierwôn" - Issued: 11-03-2025

Switzerland: Eurovision Song Contest 2025

In May 2025, the Eurovision Song Contest takes to the stage in Basel, returning to its country of birth – the first Eurovision was held on 24 May 1956 in Lugano. The very first winner was Lys Assia, a world-famous singer and actress from the canton of Aargau, who won the first contest for Switzerland with her song “Refrain”.

Many thanks to Hansjürg for this nice Cover mailed from Lugano on the first day of issue!

Stamps:

Eurovision Song Contest 2025 - Issued: 06-03-2025

Pro Patria - Post Signs (from a set of 4) - Issued: 27-05-1981

Greenland: Narsarsuaq

Narsarsuaq is a settlement in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland. It had 123 inhabitants in 2020. There is a thriving tourism industry in and around Narsarsuaq, whose attractions include a great diversity of wildlife, gemstones, tours to glaciers, and an airfield museum. In 1941 the United States built an air base at Narsarsuaq code-named Bluie West One (BW1). (Bluie was the Allied military code name for Greenland.) Thousands of planes used BW1 as a stepping stone on their way from the aircraft factories in North America to the battlegrounds of Europe. The importance of the airport can also be seen by the runway in the cancellation of Narsarsuaq. But the airport is due to be closed in late 2026 when Qaqortoq Airport is scheduled to open.

Stamps:

2x Kofoed´s School Nuuk (+Additional Value) - Issued: 18-10-2017

France: Street Art - "Acrobats + The Juggler"

Stamps:

Street Art - "Acrobats (bloc stamp) + The Juggler" - Issued: 08-03-2025

Many thanks to Eric!

Germany: 30 years Lufthansa nonstop Flights Munich <-> Tokyo

In November 2024, Lufthansa marked the 30th anniversary of its direct flight connection between Germany and Tokyo. The milestone highlighted three decades of strong air travel ties between the two countries. To commemorate the occasion, a special flight took place on November 18th 2024. The covers below show both the flight LH 714 from Munich to Tokyo and the way back on flight LH 715 from Tokyo to Munich.

LH714 from Munich-airport -> Tokyo, Japan

Stamp:

Special personalised Stamp "Airbus A350-900"

LH715 from Tokyo -> Munich-Airport

Stamps:

International Exposition "EXPO 2025" - Osaka, Kansai (full set) - Issued: 12-04-2024

Poland: The 80th Anniversary of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University

Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (MCSU) (Polish: Uniwersytet Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie, UMCS) is a public research university, in Lublin, Poland. It is named in honour of Marie Curie-Sklodowska. The University was founded on October 23, 1944, by the Lublin Committee during the Second World War. Since then, It has expanded to be the largest university in Eastern Poland, with over 12 Faculties in Lublin, and a satellite campus in Puławy. The University has nearly 16,000 students, who study in over 90 disciplines. Out of those 16,000, over 1,600 are international students, who represent almost 45 countries.

Stamp:

The 80th Anniversary of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University - Issued: 21-10-2024

Many thanks to Roman!

Germany: The 250th Anniversary of the Clausthal University of Technology

In 2025, the Technische Universität (TU) Clausthal is celebrating its 250th anniversary. Founded in 1775 as a mining school, the university has a long history in engineering and natural sciences and is now also active in areas like sustainability and digital technologies. To commemorate this milestone, the Deutsche Post has issued a special commemorative stamp (as can be seen below). The design reflects both the university’s mining roots and its current focus on innovation. TU Clausthal is planning a number of events throughout the year, including lectures, exhibitions, and academic conferences. 

Stamp:

The 250th Anniversary of the Clausthal University of Technology  - Issued: 01-03-2025

In addition to the stamp and First Day Cover, Deutsche Post also issued an official First Day Sheet, featuring background information on the TU Clausthal and the design of the stamp:

Many thanks to Nadja Wischmeyer for sending me both, the cover and the nice information sheet.

As part of the celebrations, Deutsche Post also issued a special Anniversary Cover featuring the TU Clausthal stamp with a first day cancellation from Bonn. Inside the cover was a postcard, which can also be seen below.

 

Vietnam: Dog Breeds of Vietnam

Stamps:

Dog Breeds of Vietnam  (full set) - Issued: 10-10-2024

Many thanks to Andrei!