19 September 2012. The arrival of the monk and hermit Gallus by the Steinach River 1,400 years ago had an enormous impact. But how important is the City’s, the Canton’s and thus also the University’s patron saint for our economy and society today? Five different speakers will provide answers to this question.

Five views
On 26 September Dr. Kurt Weigelt, Director of the St.Gallen-Appenzell Chamber of Industry and Commerce, will launch the lecture series. He will examine the topic of “Gallus and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce – But here, as ever, things turn out differently from what we think. (Wilhelm Busch)”. A week later, on 3 October, Prof. Dr. Thomas Bieger, President of the University of St.Gallen, will answer the question, “Gallus – What can international managers learn from him?” On 10 October Prof Dr. Ulrike Landfester, Vice-President of the University of St.Gallen, will focus on creative processes in connection with Gallus: “Should you fall over on the way: Gallus and creative stumbling”. On 17 October, Mayor Thomas Scheitlin will analyse the topic of “Gallus – the hermit and the city”. With “Gallus at the round table of religions”, Markus Büchel, Bishop St.Gallen, will close the lecture series on 24 October. All the lectures will begin at 6.15 p.m.

Gallus – a myth is alive
Stories which like a myth are continually retold and varied, pass on the character and significance of St.Gallen’s saint and patron. His legend and cult have remained alive in texts, images, rites, feast days, politics and everyday life by constant “updates” of the meaning to the present day. But what has Gallus to do with us? At the Municipal Gallus Celebration in the Pfalzkeller on 16 October, Prof. Dr. Werner Wunderlich will be considering the saint and looking for answers to this question. He will receive musical support from the Collegium Musicum Ostschweiz.

Picture: Gallusjubiläum