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Transformation

12 July — 31 August 2024

Cycle «Change II» 2023 — 2025

The Menuhin Center Saanen Association is to become the bearer of the great artistic and spiritual heritage of Yehudi Menuhin in the Saanenland. Lord Menuhin, the world-renowned musician, educator and humanist, founder and for almost 40 years mentor of Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy, has left behind a great musical and spiritual legacy.

The vivid presentation in the historic Chalet Salzhüsi in the centre of Saanen is intended to express thanks and recognition.

Contact

Menuhin Center Saanen
Dorfstrasse 61
3792 Saanen
Switzerland

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YEHUDI MENUHIN PHILOSOPHERS' TRAIL

Lord Menuhin (1916-1999), the world-renowned musician, educator and humanist, left behind a great legacy. An admirer proposed to dedicate a philosopher's trail to the honorary citizen of the municipality Saanen even before the death of Lord Menuhin. The local authorities agreed, and the Rotary Club Gstaad-Saanenland consent to plan and finance the Yehudi Menuhin Philosopher's Trail with the support of the community.

Directions

Starting from the “Kapälliplatz” in Gstaad, stroll in the direction of Saanen until you reach the gallery “Atelier d'Artiste”. Go by the railway underpass in the direction of “Gschwend” and walk alongside the Saane. A quiet, shady path leads from there along the river to the “Stiftung Alpenruhe” – a home for the disabled with a cafeteria and a petting zoo. Then, walk to the “Chouflisbach” stream, which takes you back to the Saane. Follow the path until you reach the village of Saanen. After a (very much recommended!) visit to the Museum Saanen and the Menuhin Center Saanen, your walk ends at the nearby Mauritius Church. Approximate walking time is 1 hour.

1
Every living moment is a new departure, an end and a beginning, a coming together and a separation.

2
A way of life that excludes the realm of the unknown and the mysterious is simply not in harmony with life itself.

3
If we want to become something new, we must maintain the old we have inherited.

4
Everyone should in some way be creative, irrespective of the quality of that which he creates.

5
Our life needs a goal; it is up to us to choose the right path for it.

6
The highest goal of our life is to always give our best and to share the good and beautiful things with others.

7
Humour and the ability to laugh at oneself are essential in life.

8
Life itself is our sculptor: Whether for the good or the bad, we are carved and moulded into a particular shape. Otherwise we would remain blocks without a base. 

9
Life isn’t complete. It’s what we make of it. If we miss it, someone else will, and we will be its slave

10
A society without its dreamers can never be free.

11
Searching and the route we take are more important than making a find.

12
In reality, infinity is merely the distance to the heart of a stranger. Eternity is the moment of cognition.

Yehudi Menuhin (1916–1999)

The memorial "Menuhin Center Saanen" was created by Dr Rolf Steiger in close cooporation with:

Municipality of Saanen as the owner of the property

Gstaad-Saanenland Tourism as tenant of the property

Gstaad Menuhin Festival & Academy

IMMA (International Menuhin Music Academy)

Rotary Club Gstaad-Saanenland as creator of the popular Yehudi Menuhin Philosophers' Trail

The current responsable body of the "Menuhin Center Saanen" lies with the "Verein Saaner Freunde der IMMA".