Der Witz

Since 2012, the Appenzeller wit has been recognized as an intangible UNESCO cultural heritage. It gained widespread attention with the opening of the Appenzeller Wit Trail in 1993. However, as early as the 15th century, the Appenzellers used their quick wit and humor to resist the desires of the abbots of the St. Gallen monastery. This wit, often compared to sharp poison arrows, brought down authorities who stood above the common people.

With the rise of tourism in the 18th century, the Appenzeller wit experienced its heyday. It was guests who, upon returning home, enthusiastically shared stories about the original people between Lake Constance and Säntis, thus cementing the stereotype of the small, quick-witted, humorous, and cheerful Appenzeller. The wit is closely linked to tourism, and the book amusingly explores the background of this connection.