Hermann-Hesse-Tage Gaienhofen

Hermann Hesse in Gaienhofen — the literary connection to the place

Gaienhofen was Hermann Hesse's (1877–1962) first place of residence as a writer. From 1904 to 1907, he lived with his first wife Maria „Mia” Bernoulli in the house „Erlenloh” (now the Mia- und Hermann-Hesse-Haus, Museum); between 1907 and 1912, he lived in a house he built himself above the village. In Gaienhofen, he wrote Peter Camenzind (which brought him literary breakthrough), Beneath the Wheel, Gertrud, and Rosshalde — works that are now part of the school curriculum. The village on the western Lake Constance, opposite the island of Reichenau and not far from Switzerland, features in several of his novels.

The Hermann-Hesse-Tage — annual literary encounter

The Hermann-Hesse-Tage are an annual series of lectures and readings organized by the municipality of Gaienhofen, in cooperation with the Tourist Information office and the Hesse Museum Gaienhofen. They bring Hesse researchers, actors, literary scholars, and publishers to the place where Hesse lived. The 2026 edition runs from October 9th to 11th with the subtitle theme „How Hermann Hesse's literary work reflects contemporary social issues” — disability, gender roles, wisdom of old age, the age of AI.

Program 2026 — three days, six main events

The event kicks off on Friday, October 9th at 7 PM with a „Talk show with Hermann Hesse” — Hesse actor Dr. Andreas Belwe embodies the poet in an interactive dialogue format, accompanied by jazz music. Saturday, October 10th begins at 10:30 AM with a lecture by Prof. Dr. Andrea Bartl on the portrayal of disability in Hesse's work; at 2 PM, Prof. Henriette Herwig will speak about gender roles in Gertrud and Rosshalde. From 3 PM to 6:30 PM, staged readings will take place in Hesse's former study with literary refreshments. The evening program at 7 PM features a staged reading and accordion music. Sunday, October 11th at 11 AM, Dr. Volker Michels — long-time Hesse editor and publisher of his collected works — concludes the festival with a lecture on wisdom and aging in Hesse's late works.

Gaienhofen — Lake Constance peninsula Höri

Gaienhofen (approx. 3,300 inhabitants, Konstanz district, code 08335) is located on the Höri peninsula on the western Lake Constance — opposite Steckborn (Switzerland) and Reichenau. In the 20th century, the Höri was the chosen home for numerous artists and writers (Otto Dix in Hemmenhofen, Erich Heckel in Hemmenhofen, Hermann Hesse in Gaienhofen). Today, it is a particularly scenic and quietly touristy part of the Lake Constance region.