Edouard DAYAN, Director General of the UPU, Christoph NEUHAUS, member of the government of the Canton of Berne, and French, Italian and Romanian diplomats posted in Berne (picture) kicked off the philatelic exhibition "Stamps score a goal" last night in the presence of some 50 guests.
The UPU is presenting this exhibition of 2,000 football-related stamps from every corner of the world as Switzerland, along with Austria, gets ready to host the Euro 2008. The exhibition is also part of the UPU's celebrations marking its 60th anniversary as a specialized agency of the United Nations. Berne, where the UPU has its headquarters, will host three play-off games beginning on 9 June.
Over the years, almost 7,000 postage stamps devoted to the "beautiful game" have been issued. Many of the exhibits owe their origins to the collector's twin passions for football and philately. For example, the exhibition includes the collection "Football, a fascinating game!" compiled by Maxime VALDENAIRE. This French youngster's stamp collection presents the early days of the sport, and its 17 rules, before focusing on various championships. Also on display are the collections amassed by Maxime's parents, Françoise and Jean-Marie VALDENAIRE, devoted respectively to all the phases of a football match and the history of the Euro since its beginnings in 1960.
In addition, the UPU is showcasing the stamps issued for Euro 2008, and there will be a display of special circular stamps – a favourite with many collectors – issued by UPU member countries over the years. Finally, there is a collection devoted to the World Cup.
The exhibition runs from 4 to 20 June 2008, in the Restaurant Zum Äusseren Stand, the building which was the birthplace of the UPU in 1874, in the centre of Berne's Euro 2008 Fan Zone.