As the summer season draws to a close, Gstaad once again becomes a stage for some of the world’s most compelling cultural voices. The Gstaad Cultural Encounters, held every August at the Gstaad Yacht Club, continue to enrich the region’s intellectual landscape with a carefully curated series of talks that bridge art, architecture, philosophy, and social impact. This year’s edition, already underway, features four standout evenings, each offering a unique lens on the future of culture.

Two remarkable events remain on the calendar, offering residents and visitors alike the chance to engage with figures at the forefront of contemporary thought.

On 18 August, Italian entrepreneur and fashion icon Brunello Cucinelli takes the stage for an intimate conversation on “Humanistic Capitalism and Cultural Responsibility.” Widely known as the "king of cashmere," Cucinelli has built a global luxury brand rooted not just in craftsmanship, but in ethics. His business model is a rare blend of commercial success and social purpose, shaped by the belief that profit must go hand-in-hand with dignity and cultural stewardship. His reflections are likely to resonate deeply in today’s complex world and to inspire anyone interested in meaningful entrepreneurship.

The final event, on 25 August, features Arturo Galansino, Director General of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi in Florence. With the talk titled “New Renaissance in Florence,” Galansino offers insight into how a Renaissance palace has been transformed into one of Europe’s most dynamic platforms for contemporary art. Having curated blockbuster shows featuring Ai Weiwei, Marina Abramovic´, and Jeff Koons, Galansino brings a deep knowledge of art history paired with a forward-looking curatorial vision. His lecture promises to illuminate how tradition and innovation can co-exist to remarkable effect.

The series opened on 4 August with Simon Njami, the Paris-based curator and novelist whose trailblazing work has reshaped the perception of African art on the global stage. His talk, “New Horizons,” offered a call to rethink institutions and narratives, encouraging a shift away from Eurocentric paradigms.

On 11 August, the focus shifted to Southeast Asia, where Thai philanthropist Marisa Chearavanont and architect Stefano Rabolli Pansera presented “Nature Meets Metropolis”, a dialogue on the ecological and urban visions behind the Khao Yai Art Forest and Bangkok Kunsthalle. Together, they illustrated how art can foster both urban transformation and environmental healing.

Founded by Rita Caltagirone and Cindy Schönrich, the Gstaad Cultural Encounters series has become a mainstay in the region’s summer calendar, not just for its calibre of speakers, but for its ambition: to elevate Gstaad from alpine idyll to cultural catalyst. With each encounter, the series confirms that the most powerful ideas can flourish anywhere, even at 1,050 metres above sea level. Through these conversations, Gstaad becomes both a reflective sanctuary and a launchpad for a more connected and meaningful cultural world.

JW