ON NEW PATHS
One of the things I’ve learned in editing GstaadLife is that new paths don’t always announce themselves. They’re not necessarily bold decisions or dramatic departures. Often, they appear quietly—hidden in plain sight, waiting for us to notice them. That idea surfaced repeatedly while working on this August issue.

In her latest Expat Adventures, Anna Charles writes about discovering a hillside trail in Gstaad she had unknowingly walked past for twenty years. It’s a lovely, modest story, funny too, but what struck me most was the feeling of recognition. How easy it is to overlook what’s familiar, right there in front of us. How rarely we stop to examine the contours of our routine. Her piece made me realise that change often starts not with a new destination, but with a shift in attention.

At the other end of the spectrum is the departure of Christoph Müller, who, after nearly a quarter of a century, is stepping down as Director of the Menuhin Festival. While reading the interview, what struck me wasn’t just the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind, but the way he speaks of the futur —with curiosity, humility, and a quiet return to things he once set aside, like his cello.

For someone who spent years elevating others into the spotlight, Christoph’s own next steps feel both grounded and open.

And then there’s the literal landscape. Our feature on Alpine flora might seem a world apart, but it too is about attention. About how we look at things. The Blumenweg or the trail to the lake of Lauenen are not “new” in any sense, and yet they offer a new experience each time we walk them, if we walk with intention. If we stop to read the signs, notice the blooms, and maybe learn a name or two along the way.

There’s a quote by Hermann Hesse that Christoph mentions: Und jedem Anfang wohnt ein Zauber inne — “There is magic in every beginning.” I’ve liked that line. It suggests that whether we’re changing direction or simply shifting our gaze, something quietly significant may be waiting.

Wishing you a summer of unexpected turnings and gentle surprises.

Jeanette Wichmann
Editor in Chief