When?

14. May 2025, 9.15 h 

Where?

Hall 3.1 

What?

To inaugurate the exhibition, an opening ceremony will be held in Hall 3.1 (entrance area). Further details will follow in due course.  

Aperitif sponsored by the Bern Philatelic Society.

When?

14 - 17. May 2025

Where?

Hall 3.0 

What?

Under the motto "Royal Philatelic Collection meets Switzerland", we are delighted to be able to present part of an iconic stamp collection from The King’s personal Philatelic Collection at the Bernaba.

Thanks to our main sponsor, Corinphila, His Majesty King Charles III, the British Monarch, has agreed that part of his legendary personal stamp collection may be presented at the Bernaba. This is a great honour for Bern, for philately and for Switzerland. This is the first time that permission has been given by His Majesty for His Royal Philatelic Collection to be shown in Switzerland. A magnet for the public and certainly a unique opportunity to discover and admire precious treasures from the Royal Philatelic Collection in Bern. 

Partially sponsored by: Erich Bärtschi

Picture © Hugo Burnand 

When?

14 - 17. May 2025

Where?

Hall 3.0 

What?

We are delighted to welcome the prestigious 20th Universal Postal Union (UPU) International Competition Class to Bernaba in 2025! This unique competition offers postal administrations from around the world the opportunity to showcase their outstanding stamp collections and philatelic innovations.

About the competition class:

Since 2008, the UPU, in cooperation with the International Federation of Philately (FIP), has provided a platform for postal administrations to showcase their latest stamps and philatelic products in a creative and competitive environment. The competition class encourages international exchange and the promotion of stamp collecting.

What you can expect:

• Impressive collections: Admire exquisite stamp collections that represent the diversity and creativity of global philately.
• Innovative presentations: Each participating postal administration will present a panel of 16 A4 pages (or 285 x 240 mm) consisting exclusively of philatelic material from the last four years.
• Shopping opportunities: Take the opportunity to purchase selected stamps and philatelic products directly on-site via QR codes that lead to the e-shops of the participating postal administrations.

Competition groups:

• Group A: Countries with less than 30 stamps per year.
• Group B: Countries with 30-69 stamps per year.
• Group C: Countries with more than 70 stamps per year.

Evaluation criteria:

• Use and application (30 points)
• Originality and quality (25 points)
• Technical quality (30 points)
• Philatelic interest and support for humanitarian causes (15 points)

This competition offers a unique opportunity to discover and appreciate the diversity and creativity of global philately. Don't miss the chance to see interesting exhibitions and experience the impressive stamp collections!

For more information, please visit the official UPU website (https://www.upu.int).

When?

14 - 17. May 2025

Where?

Hall 3.0 

What?

To send a letter, it must be accompanied by a message. Nowadays, personal handwriting is being lost in the digital world. The calligraphy station gives visitors the chance to discover and experiment with writing in days gone by, using the writing utensils of the time.
 
Workshop station by: Fritz Tschanz, Signau

Sponsorised by: Spenglerei11 GmbH

When?

14 - 17. May 2025

Where?

Hall 3.0

What?

Switzerland's first postage stamp was not only produced using the lithography process, but also its first federal stamp. At this workshop, visitors can get their hands dirty and find out more about this ancient printing method.
 
Workshop post by: www.dwsp.ch

Sponsored by: GVB Cultural Foundation 

When?

14 - 17. May 2025

Where?

Hall 3.0

What?

Until the 19th century, paper was made exclusively by hand, before paper production became increasingly industrialised. This high-quality paper was mainly used for lithographic printing. During this workshop, visitors will be able to see how paper was produced in those days and make their own.
 
Workshop post by: www.printage.ch

Sponsored by: Merkurdruck 

When?

14 - 17. May 2025

Where?

In front of the BernExpo site

What?

A piece of cultural heritage finds its way back to its homeland after a hundred years. The Schangnau postal coach is a two-horse vehicle that could tell many stories. Between 1904 and 1925, it carried mail, passengers and the classic "Kemmeriboden Merängge" between Wiggen and Kemmeriboden. Now, it will run for four hours a day on the BERNABA'25 outdoor site and will be available to the public for rides.
 
To find out more about the Post coach: www.postkutsche-schangnau.ch

Sponsored by: KPT 

When?

16. May 2025, 19.00 h 

Where?

BernExpo plenary hall 

What?

The traditional prize-giving ceremony will bring be the highlight of the event. There is room for 420 guests. Tickets can be booked at [email protected] for CHF 175. 
Details of the event will follow in due course.

Aperitif sponsored by: Corinphila Auktionen AG 

When?

16. May 2025, 14.00 - 16.00 h 

Where?

Conference room 7 

What?

Meeting of the AIJP, the World Association of Philatelic Authors and Journalists, open to everyone, with two presentations:
1. Hans Schwarz: Rarities of Swiss Philatelic Literature
2. Wolfgang Maassen: Rarities of international philatelic literature - ex library Tomas Bjaeringer

No registration necessary.

When?

16. May 2025, 09.00 - 12.00 h 

Where?

Conference room 7 

What?

A training programme or forum for exhibitors and interested parties with the aim of dealing with (non-)everyday topics.
 
9.00 Welcome (Rolf Leuthard)
9.15 Postal history/pre-philately Switzerland (Andreas Grünewald)
9.45 Aerophilately: Airmail Switzerland - China (Fritz Kirchhofer)
10.15 Short break
10.30 A different exhibit/L'Organisation International du Travail (Arnold Ottonin)
11.00 Thematic philately (Kurt Märki)
11.30 Aperitif for seminar participants and members

Programme as PDF