Klingsor's last summer - Hermann Hesse in Ticino

After unsuccessful attempts to maintain his family life on Lake Constance and in Switzerland, and after difficult years during the First World War, Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) decided to leave everything behind and start afresh. This new beginning was in Ticino in 1919. The protagonist of the first story of that time, Klingsor, brilliantly embodies the poet Hermann Hesse, who discovers the magic of the colors of the south for himself and from then on uses them as a new means of expression. The magical landscape of the Collina d'Oro with its chestnut woods, typical villages and grottos are key motifs in the story. Montagnola was to be Hesse's home for the rest of his life, which he captured in bright colors in numerous watercolors and where famous works such as 'Siddharta' and 'The Steppenwolf' were created. Hermann Hesse initially lived in the Casa Camuzzi with the famous 'Klingsorbalkon' and the 'Klingsorspiegel', but in 1931 he moved with his third wife Ninon to the somewhat more remote Casa Rossa. Hermann Hesse found his final resting place in the Gentilino cemetery. In this course, we want to relive Hesse's new beginning in Ticino with pictures and words.>> This event is the second of two on the subject of 'Hesse'. The first, Tracing Hermann Hesse - his time at Untersee, will take place on Friday, 06.06.2025. <<

Course director: Dr. Glück, Elisabeth. The speaker is an art historian, lecturer and tour guide.