Hubert von Goisern & Inexil: an album of traditional Tibetan songs recorded together with members of the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts as an expression of solidarity with the people of Tibet. Hubert von Goisern writes: "Many times I lost hope of achieving anything, as omnipresent communication problems tested our limits of imagination. However, together we found a way. Mutual respect and admiration along with our shared commitment closed the chasm between our cultures. We became one in pride and power. May this music foster courage for encounter." Read more about HvG's involvement with the Tibetan cause ...

24th March 2008

While 2008 is the Year of the Rat for the Chinese, in Tibet one speaks of the Year of the Earth Mouse.

When I was travelling in Tibet some years ago in the lobby of my hotel in Lhasa I read a Chinese propaganda magazine written in English. Inside it I found, in an article about Lenin, this unbelievable statement: "a nation that is not ready to fight for its freedom by force of arms deserves enslavement." This sentence made me decidedly unsympathetic towards Lenin. The same goes for the Chinese high-ranking officials, who evidently derive the right from the peacableness of the Tibetans to oppress them and exploit their country, just as Lenin would have it. Despite all statements no historical Chinese claims to Tibet can be made.
According to which era you look at the borders were moved here and there from time to time. In the 7th century for example, as good as all of today's China was a part of Tibet and there is an agreement carved in stone in 1794, which clarifies the sovereignty of both countries in both languages. When Mao Tsetung came to power in 1949, one of his first crimes was to march into Tibet and annexe the country; or, as he called it - liberate. (From the Tibetans?) According to conservative estimates Mao took the lives of 20 million people during the time of his rule. Many believe the number to be twice as many. Like Lenin Mao has not been buried, neither in the metaphorical nor the literal sense. Both are embalmed pilgrimage sites. It is high time for both of them to be below ground.

And it is high time that the tragedy in Tibet be acknowledged. I am appalled but not surprised by the recent developments, because it was forseeable and no secret that the Olympic Games would be an occasion for the Tibetans to bring attention to the human rights violations in their country. After more than 50 years oppression by China the despair on the Roof of the World is as omnipresent as the bondage of and discrimination against the native population. It is thus hardly surprising that one person or another balls his fist or starts throwing stones. Measured against the Tibetan victims of the past (more than 150,000 alone died through execution; around 200,000 in jails and labour camps) a few broken windows and burned cars are chicken feed. And even this probably would not have happened if the one person who, more than any one else among us, stands for dialogue and the renunciation of the use of force was not so obtrusively disavowed.
The demonisation of the Dalai Lama, officially called "a wolf in sheep's clothing" by China, is an unparalleled insufferableness. The attitude of most Austrian politicians towards this subject is also unbearable. Right up as far as the Federal President there is only a degrading bow down to the economic power of China in order to not damage trade relations. And at every state visit from the "Middle Kingdom" preemptive obedience is demonstrated in that the Home Office nips any criticism in the bud with police power.

The Olympic Committee was reproached for having only thought in economic terms when awarding the Games to Peking. That may be so, but let's be honest, if one acts according to the august ideals of the Olympic thoughts, where could the Games be awarded to in good conscience? Certainly no country that could also afford to hold them too.
Peking "deserves" the Games no less than Berlin, Moscow, Los Angeles or London. For this reason I believe a boycott is wrong.
However what I do wish for are functionaries and athletes with an awareness that the Olympic Games have a political dimension. Since the Classical world they have served as a political forum too. Perhaps someone will find the courage to hold up the Tibetan flag.
The annexation of Tibet cannot be denied or silenced away and is unfortunately also not to be meditated away. Tibet is not China and the Tibetans are not Chinese. They have their own language, their own script and their own way of life. So may it not just be the Year of the Rat, but also of the Earth Mouse.

Can we as individuals contribute to the resolution of the conflict? Yes. Write to your government representatives, to the European Commission, to the Olympic Committee ..., tell them that one should address the problem and not creep away with the argument that it is not the concern of a sporting event.

Hubert von Goisern, Salzburg - Easter 2008

Losar 2007 Tseten Zöchbauer and Hubert von Goisern celebrate the Tibetan New Year in Vienna. Read more...

Kleine Zeitung 22nd May 2005

The Dalai Lama should have been honoured with a "personalised stamp" on the occasion of his 70th birthday in July. That it is not to be has left a nasty taste in the mouth of musician Hubert von Goisern. An interview.

Foto: Sommer

Without wishing to give reasons, Michaela Homola, spokesperson for the Austrian Post Office, declared that the so-called "personalised stamp", with which Tibet's Dalai Lama should have been honoured for his 70th birthday on 6th July, will not be printed. The Chinese Embassy has greatly intervened, explained human rights activist Heinz Stoff, who commissioned the stamp. An explanation that Hubert von Goisern finds so unacceptable, that he decided to be a speaker for the stamp.

With your annoyance at Austria's Post Office in mind, I would first like to know: what can you say about China?

I have never been to China. When I think about the country, the first things that come to mind are philosophers: Confucius, Mencius, Lao Tse. A country of great thinkers. It is also said that the origins of the harmonica lie there. But like every nation, you could also say like every people, China also has its inglorious chapter. Like the era of Mao Tse-tung, in which the cultural revolution also raged, while ten million people died, many even estimate the number to be 20 to 30 million. In this dark period of time, came the forcible annexing of Tibet (1949/50) and the following destruction of Tibetan culture.

Which continues today ...

It's understandable that China doesn't like to be reminded of the situation in Tibet. A good many chapters of the past are unpleasant for us too. Here in Austria too, one once succumbed to the charm of a dictator and it is debatable whether we could have been ready to look in the mirror today without pressure from outside. Seen this way, I understand the Chinese Embassy's efforts to obstruct the publishing of a stamp with the Dalai Lama. If their officials didn't do it, a rebuke would come by return from Peking. What I don't understand is the obedience of the Post Office administration in complying with this wish. This timidity shames the whole of Austria.

But China surely also has opportunities to get revenge?

Chinese interventions also preceded the Dalai Lama's visits in Bad Ischl, as well as those in Graz. The then mayor of Graz, Alfred Stingl, had to fight with massive intervention from the Chinese. Stingl was threatened with, among other things, the withdrawal of an order worth millions with Simmering Graz Pauker AG. He remained firm. An attitude which has become very rare with politicians, especially when economic aspects come into play. Simmering Graz Pauker then nevertheless got the order, although the city welcomed the Dalai Lama. I am convinced: respect, especially from such a proud people as the Chinese, is not won by bowing and scraping.

But the proud attitude of the Tibetans does not seem to impress their dominator very much.

I don't know how one can lead the situation in Tibet to a solution that is pleasing for everybody involved. I don't agree with the activists from "Save Tibet" in everything and I also had a good many stout arguments with representatives of the exile government. But I know that the Tibetan people as well as the country of Tibet suffer horrifically under China's bondage. I know that China inflicts enormous damage to its own reputation with its obstinate attitude. And I also know that the Dalai Lama does not deserved to be demonised.

For what does he stand for you?

He is the leader of a people that are standing with their backs against the wall and have been doing so for 50 years. A people whose culture, music, language and way of life threaten to disappear - yes, the people as a whole are dwindling. So it comes that his country is exploited and destroyed. Other societies answer such a situation with weapons, bombs, violence. Not the Tibetans. Despite everything they are the most peace-loving people I have met on my many journeys. And the Dalai Lama contributes significantly to that. This exemplary person and his people deserve our deep respect, solidarity and support. If not, then we say that Lenin was right when he said: a nation which is not prepared to fight for its freedom with weapons deserves slavery.

Annelies Pichler

Dolomiten 12th April 2005

Photo: "D'Yoe

Bozen (bv) - There is currently an impressive display of black and white photos from Tibet in the foyer at Bozen University. Yesterday, exiled Tibetan Tseten Zöchbauer told the children of the Bozen Marienkindergarten stories about people from the Roof of the World. The Tibetan, who lives in Vienna, was musically supported by Hubert von Goisern on his guitar (see photo). Today, there is something very special to be seen: the Tibetan monka who accompany the Bozen show are breaking up their sand mandalas and giving them to the water, that is, the Eisack. Meeting point for all those interested is at 2pm in front of Bozen University.

Photo: "D"/eg

Dolomiten 11th April 2005

Bozen - During his time out from the stage, the Austrian singer Hubert von Goisern became acquainted with Tibet. Since yesterday, the Austrian has been telling of the country in Asia in South Tyrol, as part of the regional council's "Lost Tibet" initiative.

First stop was the film club, where the film Wia die Zeit vergeht showed Hubert von Goisern on stage, afterwards there was a Tibet discussion with von Goisern and the exiled Tibetan Tseten Zöchbauer. Both are telling Tibet stories this morning (Aula Magna of the Realgymnasium Klebelsberg in Bozen) and tomorrow (10.30 Uhr, Bibliothek Haslach).

In the picture (from left): Hubert von Goisern with Heidi Hintner (organiser), Stefan Untersulzner (Regional council), Tseten Zöchbauer, Tibet expert Wolfgang Niederhofer and Herbert Denicolò (Regional council Vice President).

Stadtzeitung Kitzbühel April 2002

The former chief rocker of the Alpinkatzen released himself long ago with individual, cross-cultural music projects and sensitive film scores (Schlafes Bruder) and is one of the few public people in Austria who doesn't beat about the bush with media critical and economically "delicate" statements on the subject of Tibet and Chinese occupation: since the middle of the Nineties, the man from Aussee has been successfully endeavouring to find representation here in Austria for the concerns of the disappearing Tibetan cultural community.

He found time for a detailed interview at the "making of" the "Peter Aufschnaiter and Tibet" exhibition in Kitzbühel: with his chosen kindred spirit Aufschnaiter, Hubert von Goisern shares the pleasantly modest aura of a man who has gone many ways alone and early on discovered spiritual independence as a condition for a free view on things of the world.

Just returned from a four week Africa tour, he seems exhausted but concentrated. Dressed in a black and white patterned wool jacket and accompanied by his almost meditatively good natured husky half-breed, Bongo, who beds down with his nose on his master's laceless heavy "Goiserer" mountain boots, he lights a rollup despite a small cold. As if personal distance to his opposite would be unpleasant for him, he offers me the familiar form of 'you'.

The mountains shape the landscape of Tibet as well as the Tyrol, the homeland of Peter Aufschnaiter. How important are mountains in your life?

They're enormously important to me. It's certainly also down to the fact that I have grown up among them - if I had been born at the sea, I would probably be as intimately connected to water, or a nomad will certainly feel similarly towards the desert. It's just the mountains for me. When I don't see them for a long time, I miss them. The flattest area I've lived in was Toronto, where I became almost a little depressed because I missed the mountain so. Someone recommended going up the Toronto Tower - that was it, but not really ... (smiles)

What do you find appealing about mountain climbing?

Climbing a mountain, when you're struggling a little and sweating and concentrating totally on breathing, you leave behind a lot of superfluous ballast - everyday problems, which are very small and insignificant behind you, like the cars in the valley below. You always climb a bit further up, approach a peak and you can look down at the lower mountains, it's almost like a purification. Right in the times when everything must economically paid off, and what isn't "profitable" is simply rationalised away, it's good to do something as aimless as climbing a mountain and going down again.

When did your interest in Tibet begin?

I read about Tibet very early on and at the age of 14, I was given a little brass globe, first of all I looked to see what there was in the world, and everywhere you can go.

The mountains were painted brown on it and I turned the globe to see where the highest mountains are and there I saw Tibet: the brownest spot on the sphere.

When were you in the Himalaya for the first time?

Seven years ago. When I flew there in 1995 with Tseten Zöchbauer (note: head of the Tibetan culture centre in Vienna), I was initially fascinated by the bleakness and vastness of this country and shocked by the situation in which the Tibetans who are still there must live. Tseten, who is Tibetan and who emigrated to Europe at the age of two, for a long time had enormous worries about returning, but I was able to reassure her: since she is a Swiss citizen and I am a public character, there would be a great media furore if anything should have happened to us. That was our protection.

How did the two of you meet?

I met her in 1994 in Saalfelden, when she asked me if I would like to take on the "patronage" of her youth theatre troupe. After a short consideration of whether such a responsibility would work for me with regards time, I accepted and we have been close friends since then.

How did your journey proceed?

When we arrived, I firstly had to acclimatise to the fact that the average height above sea level there is about 3500 metres. You can barely sleep for the first two weeks and you feel the lack of oxygen so strongly, that everything seems like a vision. Under these conditions, the experience of the occupation was even more terrible.

When you consider how barren the Tibetan landscape is, it's really absurd that such a country is occupied. It's like someone deciding to occupy the Großglockner in order to exploit natural resources, but considered with a certain detachment, the Chinese have achieved some things in terms of infrastructure and it is also undeniable that the social situation was not only good before the invasion. I also noticed it when I was in Dharamsala (exile of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in north India): there is an unbelievable hierarchical system there, with old-established noble families. I endured enormous fights with the then director of the Tibetan Cultural Institute.

About what?

I wanted the musicians with whom I worked on the record (InExil, Ariola, 1998) to have an equal share in the sales, whereupon someone said that he must get everything in order to distribute it as director of the Institute. Then there were, to exaggerate, twenty nosepickers and four people, who are really wonderful musicians and who took the effort to record the album - a process for which creativity is needed for several weeks. I thought that only the four who want something and can also do something should also profit from it. He didn't understand that and machinated against me until he dropped. It was my good fortune to meet the Dalai Lama, who supported me, but it took weeks for the director of the Cultural Institute to stop opposing me.

What impression did the Dalai Lama make on you?

He's really super! One of the most important personalities of our time and a really, really wonderful person, who doesn't have it easy either because he is at the top of a very distinct hierarchy, which is often very pedantically and traditionally shaped. He is very interested in everything, unbelievably open and, despite his divine attribute, only regards himself as a person among people. But in the Tibetan household in Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama's word is irrefutable, as it is said in the Catholic church too, "the Pope cannot be wrong!".

In one of his books, he expressed himself critically about the practice of consulting the oracle, because in the Tibetan tradition, this ritual is called upon for every small thing, whether you should now turn left or right. When asked, the theologians said that it's an error in translation!

Are you a practising Buddhist?

What I really like is the respect with which Buddhists meet every living thing - and the dead too - but I wouldn't call myself a Buddhist, nor yet a Christian.

(considers) Or rather: I'm as much as a Buddhist as I am a Christian. In Buddhism there's the theory of the three vehicles with which you draw closer to God. It gets difficult when you are asked to worship the vehicle itself, as is called for in the profession of faith in the church, because I think it can't be that way ... I am even of the view that I am past the stage of needing a religion in order to believe in the divine.

Aha! ...

But that doesn't concern everyone, but it does me. There are many people who need it, because it is very difficult nowadays to believe in God without religion. I sometimes wish for something so united, like before, when I still liked to go to church. I felt happy there, praying with others and feeling this solidarity. That's the word: solidarity.

I think basically the two religions have many elements in common, but to the best of my knowledge, and that is very limited, there has never been a war waged by Buddhists in order to spread their confession, like with Christianity or Islam. It is not a missionary faith and that makes it more likable for me.

And how do you feel as an Austrian?

Well, fortunately at the moment, you can say "I'm European". That's an advantage which slowly becomes a trap however: when you're now away in Africa for three weeks, you become more conscious of how the "European Fortress" is expanding.

But basically I think you will find the same percentage of idiots and of wonderful, friendly and intelligent people wherever you go.

Simon Schreyer

Thanks Simon

Kalachakra The Dalai Lama came to Graz for the Kalachakra 2002 ceremony - promoting peace and tolerance - and Hubert von Goisern was there to present some performances by musicians from the TIPA. Read more...