Norway 2026 - Folk Costumes (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)

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Technical Details:
Issue Date: 02 March 2026
Designer: Design: Magnus Rakeng,
Photos: Ole Ekker / Norsk Flid
Printer:Joh. Enschedé Security Print
Process:Offset
Size:30 x 38 mm


About Folk Costumes (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage)

More Than Just a Festive Garment

On 5 December 2024, the use of traditional Norwegian folk costumes – bunads – was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This recognition highlights the “bunad” as a living tradition, a craft, and a social practice deeply tied to personal and national identity in Norway.

UNESCO defines intangible cultural heritage as living traditions and knowledge passed between people, including rituals, crafts, and social customs. The bunad nomination began in 2017, led by five key organisations. The application was based on expert knowledge, surveys, and input from craftspeople and wearers across the country. It was approved at UNESCO’s 19th international meeting in Paraguay, where Norwegian representatives in bunads drew significant attention.

The bunad symbolises local and regional identity and is worn by people of all ages and backgrounds. Over 70% of Norwegian women and 20% of men own a bunad, used for celebrations such as Constitution Day, weddings, baptisms, and confirmations. With over 450 types, many bunads are inherited or handmade by family members, involving traditional techniques and materials like Norwegian wool. The UNESCO listing honours both the wearing and the craftsmanship.

This recognition brings responsibility: authorities, organisations, and individuals must work to preserve and pass on the tradition. The bunad is inclusive, with both traditional and creative expressions, and now stands as a globally recognised cultural heritage to be protected and shared with future generations.

Liechtenstein 2026 - Dance Theater

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Dance Theater

With the “Dance theater” series of permanent stamps, Philately Liechtenstein explores the expressive power of dance as a fusion of movement, art, and emotion. The four designs capture different moods and forms of contemporary dance, illustrating how the body, music, and space engage in dialogue with one another.

The “Rock murmurs” stamp (face value CHF 1.20) explores the connection between movement and nature. Power, rhythm, and grounding merge into a choreography reminiscent of the dynamics of alpine landscapes.

“La Principessa” (face value CHF 1.90) focuses on the poetic and narrative side of dance. Expression, elegance, and vulnerability combine to create a stage character that bridges tradition and contemporary interpretation.

“Barefoot & Brocade” (face value CHF 2.50) plays with contrasts such as closeness and distance, freedom and discipline. Here, dance is experienced as a physical expression of inner emotions and personal stories.

“In Green” (face value CHF 3.10) embodies energy, community, and creative transformation. Movement becomes the visible rhythm of inspiration, encounter, and shared experience.

The series explores central themes of dance: movement as an expression of passion, courage, and creativity, as well as a resonant space for emotions, community, and artistic freedom.

Our new self-adhesive definitive stamps are dedicated to “Fasnacht”(meaning carnival), a tradition that is actively celebrated in Liechtenstein. “Fasnacht” comes from Middle High German and literally means the night before the start of Christian Lent. With these colorful stamps, we want to highlight this tradition that is typical of the region. Shortly after the turn of the year, many venues are decorated and the first masked balls and parades begin. One highlight is the international “Parade” (face value CHF 1.00) in Schaan with over 1,600 participants. In earlier times, on Fat Thursday, young people would try to lure housewives away from their “Soup pot” (face value CHF 1.20) and steal the pot or the roast. This custom is hardly practiced in Liechtenstein today.

On the other hand, the “Guggamusik” (face value CHF 1.90) is very popular. These are music groups in elaborate costumes who provide loud and eerily beautiful accompaniment to many events and organize big concerts. There are no limits to the imagination when it comes to costumes and “Masks” (face value CHF 2.50). Carnival newspapers such as “Wingertesel,” “Räbahobel,” and many more are also eagerly awaited, as they delight in poking fun at the misfortunes and funny incidents of the past year.

Thailand 2023 - Thai Heritage Conservation Day: Nora Dances

 

Thailand 2023 - Thai Heritage Conservation Day: Nohra Dances..
A traditional dance-theatre from Southern Thailand.

The series is the Thai Heritage Conservation Day 2022 issue, released on 2 April 2022. All four stamps depict different poses from Nora, also called Manohra or Nohra.


3.00 THB (Blue) - Tha Thephanom (ท่าเทพพนม)
3.00 THB (Pink) - Tha Khihnon Ron Ram (ท่าขี้หนอนร่อนรำ)
5.00 THB (Yellow) - Tha Phra Thewada (ท่าพระเทวดา)
5.00 THB (Green) - Tha Phrom Sih Nah (ท่าพรหมสี่หน้า)

What is Nora?

Nora is much more than a conventional dance. It is a form of dance drama/performance art, combining:
- highly energetic and acrobatic dance
- singing and musical performance
- storytelling and legends
- elaborate hand and finger movements
- colorful beaded costumes
- distinctive crowns/headdresses
- bird-like wings and tails
- very long curved metallic fingernails

It is particularly associated with Southern Thailand.

Thailand 2023 - Thai Heritage Conservation Day

 

India 2024 - Joint Stamp Issue India-Romania: Folk Costumes

 

France 1940 - National Relief, Charity Stamps

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 02 December 1940
WM: None
Sheet Size: 25
Design: Jules Piel, Pierre Munier, Georges Léo Degorce et Henry Cheffer
Engraving: Jules Piel, Pierre Munier, Georges Léo Degorce et Henry Cheffer
Perforation: 13

Wartime Issue ''Harvesting, Sowing, Gathering Grapes, Cattle

Guatemala 2011 - Traditional Costumes

 

Pakistan 1993 - Dresses of Pakistan, Traditional Costumes

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Date of Issue: 10 March 1993

The stamp set features traditional costumes from Punjab, Northwest Frontier Province, Sindh, and Baluchistan.

Solomon Islands 1991 - Christmas

 

Comoros 2002 - Traditional Costumes

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Djibouti 1993 - Costumes of Normadic Women

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Palestine 2002 - National Costumes

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Algeria 2025 - The Women's Ceremonial Costume In The Eastern Region Of Algeria

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Technical Details:

Algeria Post: a new issue entitled "Women's Ceremonial Costume in Eastern Algeria" in the form of a souvenir sheet and 3 postage stamps with a total face value of 195.00 DA. This costume was inscribed in 2024 on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

Design: Zineb Bahri / Yasmina Boukhari 

Face value: 120 DA (Block) - 25 DA x 3 (Stamps) 

Dimensions: 102 x 96 mm (Block) - 48 x 34 mm (Stamps) 

Bristol paper leaflet including the philatelic information sheet and a detachable 

First Day Cover: 35 DA Leaflet dimensions: 420 x 150 mm 

First Day Cover: 10 DA (Online sale only) 

Printing process: Offset 

Printer: Bank of Algeria Printing Works

The Women's Ceremonial Costume In The Eastern Region of Algeria

The Algerian woman has played a pivotal role in preserving heritage and maintaining customs and traditions, which are an essential part of the national identity. She has actively contributed to passing down traditional Algerian attire through generations, ensuring that it remains a living testament to the nation's rich cultural heritage. Algerian women, whether in urban or rural areas, proudly wear traditional garments during various celebrations, showcasing the craftsmanship and creativity of Algerian artisans who have meticulously woven these garments according to long-standing traditions that reflect the deep-rooted authenticity of Algerian heritage.

Traditional Algerian attire consists of a variety of distinctive elements that highlight the country's cultural diversity and artisanal richness. These include the Gandoura, the Mihafa, the Caftan, the Qatt, the Qouït, the Lahaaf, the Chechia, the Sarouel, the Dakhila, the Louqa, the Mendil, the Ghenour, and the Belt. These garments are adorned with intricate embroidery techniques such as majboud, fetla, konteel, tell, tarsi', and ta'ammar, which add to their beauty and elegance.
To enhance the luxurious appeal of these outfits, they are often complemented by traditional jewelry made of gold and silver. This includes the Chechia with the Sultani, Djabin, Khit Errouh, Manakech, Mechref, Mokhbel, Sekhab, Mahzema (belt), Harz, Hebzim, Masaïss, Maqays, Khalkhal, and Rdiif.

These inherited cultural pieces represent a rich legacy that continues to thrive, thanks to the creativity and skill of Algerian artisans who have preserved these crafts across generations.

We particularly highlight:

The Caftan: The Qadi Kaftan of Algeria is one of the oldest traditional garments from the city of Constantine. It reflects the remarkable craftsmanship and creativity of Constantine's renowned embroidery, known as "Fetla" and "Mejboud" ("Tarz")., which features the distinctive fetla and majboud embroidery techniques. This authentic embroidery, meticulously crafted by the skilled hands of Constantine's artisans, is characterized by its precise designs and elaborate embellishments.

Originally, the Algerian kaftan was a men's garment worn by judges and high-ranking officials. Over time, Algerian women adopted it, modifying it to suit their femininity and elegance, transforming it into one of the most iconic traditional women's garments.

The Caftan is made from a variety of luxurious fabrics, such as silk, velvet, velour, cotton, and wool, giving it an elegant and distinctive appearance that combines sophistication and comfort.


The Melehfa: This is a wide, wrap-around garment that was originally unstitched and secured at the shoulders with two silver brooches. The excess fabric is folded over the chest and pulled back, while the waist is cinched with a long belt made of colorful wool rope or a silver belt.

The elegance of the melehfa is complemented by traditional accessories. The head is covered with a "Ghenour" (turban) or shawl, adorned with a "Djabin" crown fixed on the forehead. It is often paired with mouchref-large circular earrings decorated with simple geometric engravings-along with bracelets and rings that enhance the beauty of the arms. The khalkhal (ankle bracelet) is worn to add charm and grace to the ankles.

The Gandoura: is a long dress made of satin or velvet, embroidered with motifs inspired by nature, such as floral and animal patterns, using techniques like golden thread (majboud), fetla, tell, or decorative stitching.

Its accessories include a conical head covering embroidered with golden threads or embellished with decorative elements, a jabin crown or a chain with a medallion, a chachia soltani, and khit rouh. The ensemble is further adorned with luxurious earrings made of pearls or amber (skhab), along with various aromatic necklaces. The neck is graced by a "Mokhbel" necklace, made of pearls, silver, or gold. The waist is accentuated with a gold or silver belt known as mahzama, while the arms are adorned with bracelets and the legs with khalkhal. These accessories are typically crafted from pure gold or silver.

In December 2024, during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, the festive women's attire of Greater Eastern Algeria was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This inscription is a tribute to this valuable cultural heritage and globally acknowledges the historical and artistic value of Algerian women's attire.acknowledgment of the historical and artistic value of Algeria's traditional women's attire.

Cambodia 2024 - Khmer Traditional Dance

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Tunisia 1962-1963 - Traditional Costumes

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Mongolia 2024 - 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Switzerland

Technical Details:
Issue Date: 20 May 2025
Stamps Size: 40x40mm
Sheetlet Size: 135*85mm

Mongolia 2025 - Intangible Cultural Heritage

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Technical Details:
Issue Date: 19 December 2025
Stamps Size: 30x40mm

Stamp Size: 108x78mm (SS)
Sheetlet Size: 150*110mm (SS)

Mongolia 2025 - 70th Anniversary of The Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between Mongolia and The Republic of India

Technical Details:
Issue Date: 14 October 2025
Stamps size: 31x58mm
Sheetlet size: 170*120mm

Montserrat 1984 - Christmas

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Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 12 November 1983

Perforation: 14

Montserrat 1983 - Christmas

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 18 November 1983
Perforation: 14

Solomon Islands 1997 - Christmas

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 24 November 1997
Perforation: 13¼ x 13½

1.10 - Oni Mako
1.40 - Ysabel Dancing Women Bamboo Stick
1.50 - Pan Pipers From Small Malaita
1.70 - Western Bamboo Band

Belgium 2005 - Musical Instruments, Harmonies and Fanfares

Technical Details:
Date of Issue: 31 October 2005
Sheetsize: 5
Design: Michel Provost
Engraving: Offset
Perforation: 12

0.50 EUR - Bass Drum
0.50 EUR - Bugle
0.50 EUR - Sousaphone
0.50 EUR - Clarinet
0.50 EUR - Tuba

Philippines 1982 - Folk Dances, The 25th Anniversary of Bayanihan Folk Arts Centre

Technical Details:

Issue Date: 10 November 1982
Perforations:13 x 13¼
Watermark: RP KK (Sh)
Color: Multicolor
Printing Method: Offset lithography

Romania 1996 - Cultural Heritage, Traditional Masks

Date of Issue: 31 January 1996
Designer: Emanuela Bolgar

Alderney 2026 - Alderney Milk-A-Punch Tradition

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Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau will release a set of stamps celebrating Milk-a-Punch, one of Alderney’s most distinctive and enduring island customs (stamp issue date: 1 April 2026).

Each year on the first Sunday of May, complimentary glasses of Milk-a-Punch are offered in the island’s bars to locals and visitors alike, marking the arrival of spring and the turn of the agricultural year. Rich, frothy and warmly spiced, the drink is made with milk, eggs and rum, and blended with sugar and nutmeg to create a celebratory mixture often compared to eggnog, though with a character entirely its own.

More than a seasonal beverage, Milk-a-Punch is a link to Alderney’s rural heritage, reflecting a time when farming seasons shaped daily life and communities gathered to mark the shift from winter to summer.

The tradition developed from the long-held practice of moving cattle out to summer pastures at the start of May. Islanders would head into the fields, milk a cow and create a communal drink from whatever ingredients were to hand.

Tradition recalls that eggs - including seagull eggs in earlier times - were cracked into the fresh milk, rum added and nutmeg sprinkled on top before a toast was raised to the new season, a ritual closely tied to the land and community life.

Though once known elsewhere in the Channel Islands, the custom endured most strongly in Alderney. Today, while the drink is no longer prepared in the fields and recipes have evolved, the spirit remains unchanged as islanders and visitors gather each May to share the traditional punch together.

The stamps

This special issue illustrates the story and evolution of Milk-a-Punch:

75p – Celebrating the move to summer pastures: islanders in traditional clothing milk a cow in a lush Alderney field.

97p – The original recipe: eggs added to fresh milk with rum and nutmeg.

£1.45 – A toast to the new season: islanders raise mugs of frothy Milk-a-Punch among spring flowers.

£1.54 – From the fields to the pubs: a split scene linking countryside preparation with a modern pub gathering.

£1.90 – Free Milk-a-Punch Sunday: a cosy Alderney pub where patrons enjoy complimentary punch.

£1.95 – Milk-a-Punch May tradition: a close-up of the drink with its traditional ingredients.

Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: - “Milk-a-Punch is a unique part of Alderney’s cultural heritage, bringing the community together each spring in a celebration of tradition and identity. We are delighted to honour this much-loved custom through our stamps.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar) 1999 - Ethnological Wealth - Folk Costumes from Posavina

Technical details

Issue Date: 26 March 999
Designer: Ivica Šiško
Printer: Zrinski d.d. Čakovec
Size: 35.50 x 24.14 mm
Values: 0,40 BAM

About Ethnological Wealth - Folk Costumes from Posavina

Posavina, the Sava River valley, is the area along the right shore of the River Sava, from Bosanska Gradiška to Brčko.

The folk costume of the Croats in Posavina developed since the second half of the 19th century in close relation with neighbouring regions, and was particularla under the influence of Croatian Posavina and Slavonia. It goes as far as calling the inhabitants of the villages down the river Bosna in the neighbourhood of the Bosanski Šamac Šokac, which is the name given to the inhabitants of Baranya. It can be classified into two groups: the folk costumes of the ‘real’ Posavina and the ones from the upper regions, called Gornjaci. The basic part of the men’s and women’s folk costume is the shirt called rubina. This is an Old Slavonic term that is still used in Slavonia.

The women’s skirt has soft, dense folds round the neck that fall radially to the shoulders, back and breast and backwards. The sleeves on the shirt are wide and free at the beginning then are gathered round the wrist in tiny folds. There is embroidery on the sleeves, along the length of the sleeve and along the skirt at the back and all round the length of the hem. The shirt is also embroidered in front, on the breast. The sleeves are not sewn on but they start at the neck and go down to the end of the arm, in the raglan cut. What makes the men’s shirt, rubina, characteristic is the fact that the shirt is worn above the wide pants, gaće, reaching down to the knee and it is similar in cut to the women’s shirt. The pants are wide and, depending on the region, more or less richly decorated along the lower hem, like shirt. A part of this costume is a lambskin vest, kožuh, with applications of multicoloured leather decorations and tiny mirrors. The motives are of herbal pattern. The women’s costume also has diagonally woven aprons with long tresses, laced on the bottom with the shedding technique. Unmarried women have an embroidered small cap, počelica, on their heads, characteristic of all the costumes of Croatian Posavina. They also wear hoops of different shapes on their heads, as pads for the head covering.

The cover for head is in the lengthened shape of a longer cloth, like a towel and is called krpa, a cloth. In the case of young girls this is called krpica (small cloth) or the local word jagluk, covering only the crown of the head, while the tresses fall down over the forehead. The remaining part fall down the back with its total length. There was a decoration tucked behind the ear, made of multicoloured wool shaped into tiny balls, like a flower. A specially interesting feature in the region are the costume parts worn on the heads of the married women as well as the way of doing their hair in plaits in the case of young unmarried girls. Both men and women wear low leather footwear known as opanak. The stockings are decorated by tiny white beads that can also be found on the cufflinks. For all the home-woven linen for shirts, pants and head coverings there is a characteristic feature called jumačenje, executed in cotton and silk, an embroidery made in the shedding technique. The clothes were dyes with laundress’ blue or copper vitriol and were either blue or greenish. Flax, hemp, wool and cotton were used for the manufacturing clothes.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croatian Post Mostar) 2005 - Folk Costume from Kupres

Technical Details:

Issue Date: 20 February 2005
Designer: Davorin Briševac
Size: 25.56 x 35.50 mm
Values: 1.50 BAM

About Folk Costume from Kupres

Kupres is situated on the hill with 1190m altitudes. Women’s folk costume from Kupres belongs to dinarian type of folk costumes. Folk customs consists from 20 different parts, clothing, jewelry and garnish.

The material, which is used for manufacture of clothing and jewelry of Kupres folk costume, are mainly homemade (wool cloth, flax, cotton).

Shirt is made from meleza (combination of flax and cotton) and it is rich with embroidery.
Jelek (waistcoat) is made from black silk and it is decorated with red, green and yellow ribbon and decorated with embroidery.
In wintertime, over shirt and waistcoat its dressed gown from domestic wool cloth also decorated with embroidery and silk. In summer time, over waistcoat and shirt its dressed ančarma (wool cloth dress without sleeves).

Apron and belt are also woven from wool. Socks and strapped soft-soled footwear are worn on legs. Women wear red homespun cap and white wrap, which can be all white or with embroidery.

Jewelry of women’s folk costume is multifarious and on costume are often appeared silver coins as decoration.
Around neck women wear rešma or đerdan (necklace) made from silver coins with the cross in the middle.

Also, in hands women carry recognized Kupres bag, and part of the jewelry are also crown, šklopac (knife), towel and mašice (poker).

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar) 2003 - Folk Costume of Rama

Technical Details:

Issue Date: 20 August 2003
Designer: Marin Musa
Printer: Grafotisak d.o.o. Grude
Size: 25.56 x 35.50 mm
Values: 0,50 BAM


About Folk Costume of Rama

Rama is the name of a region and river in Bosnia.Today, the river practically no longer exists and most of its basin is covered by Lake Rama.Rama is divided into Upper and Lower Rama.The folk costumes of Rama, particularly those worn by women, are distinguished by their beauty and authenticity, fashioned from coarse, simple wool and hemp fabrics.

Fabrics of wool and hemp were woven on a special type of loom possessed by every household.The basic fabrics were decorated with multicolored cross-stictch embroidery, pieces of homespun and coins.

A shirt of white linen was decorated with embroidery around the edges.

Over the shirt was worn a ćurdija, similar to a coat without sleeves, from woolen material.The ćurdija came down to below the knee and was decorated with pendants from homespun, colored embroidery, shells and coins attached to the fabric.

Marriageable girls adorned themselves with jewelry, kitnja. On their heads they wore a cap, fez and kerchief. Silver coins were sewn on the fez.

Over the fez was worn an embroidered kerchief, krpa.These kerchiefs were identical for unmarried girls and young married women.The kerchiefs worn by older women had less ornamentation.

The ornaments on kerchiefs were of enormous size and the color of dark cherries. Over shirt was worn a woolen apron, pregnjač or pregač.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Croatian Post Mostar) 2024 - Ethnological Treasure

Technical Details: 

Issue Date: 09 October 2024
Designer: Zoran Vlašić
Printer: AKD d.o.o. Zagreb
Size: 25.56 x 35.50 mm
Values: 1.30 BAM

About Ethnological Treasure

Folk costumes, especially women's costumes, are an immense treasure that must be cared for and preserved for future generations. The folk costumes of women from the Žepče area are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful Croatian costumes in central Bosnia. The stamp shows the old headdress of a married woman that was once placed on her head on the first morning after the wedding. First, the koturača - a concentric ring of vine branches wrapped in colourful cloth - was placed around the fez on the head. Then a colourful cloth scarf, called ćenar, was placed on the koturača and tied at the back of the head. Then, braids were braided onto the koturača and the ćenar and tied at the back of the head, and a cloth was placed on top - a scarf woven from cotton in two threads" and decorated with embroidered or woven ornaments. Richer women also placed a ducat chain „under the cloth".

The FDC shows a typical Croatian ladies’ belt in Bosnia - pâs, made of multi-coloured silk, woven “in four threads” - with silver filigree buckles at the ends - pafte or pavte, decorated with precious stones.

(Marinko Jurić)

Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar) 2022 - Ethnological Treasure

Technical Details:

Issue Date: 09 October 2022
Designer: Manlio Napoli
Printer: AKD d.o.o. Zagreb
Size: 35.50 x 25.56 mm
Values: 1.10 BAM


About Ethnological Treasure

Džoka is a part of men's and women's costume, a short sleeveless cloak made of finer fabric, as a component of the costume of the local people of earlier times, especially the people of western Herzegovina. Today, it resembles a waistcoat that protects the back. Original specimens of this garment are rare and belong to the ethnological treasure of Herzegovina. What is special about this original cloak shown on the picture is the multicolored cord, which is sewn onto the fabric by hand and creates a perfect harmony of colors and shapes.

The picture shows the „chest part” of this waistcoat, in the photo of the old Association of Saint Anthony of Padua, founded in 1872 in the Franciscan monastery in Mostar. At the time, the Association was the sponsor of numerous social, cultural and educational events in Herzegovina. In all the years the Association existed, but also today, in the last 30 years since the renewal, the renewed Association under the name HKUD “Sv. Ante - Cim" Mostar, great attention has been paid to the preservation of the ethnological treasures of the Croats in these areas.

In addition to the postage stamp itself, there is also a seal with the original appearance of the Association’s first seal, a shield with cross and spike, as a symbol of the religious and busy life of the citizens and the Association at the time. The first day cover bears the memory of the Association’s handwritten rules of 150 years ago.

(Marinko Jurić)