BACOPA Celebrating Wolfgang KUBIN’s 80th Birthday in Café Museum

On January 9, 2026, BACOPA Publishing House celebrated the 80^th birthday of Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kubin in the traditional Café Museum in Vienna. Kubin is a renowned scholar, poet, translator, cultural mediator and China expert.

Since 2015, BACOPA Publishing House published 17 titles by Wolfgang Kubin. A further 11 works by him were done by other publishers. In addition, a total of 34 interviews, conversations and films have been created since 2016 that document his literary and sinological work. From 1975 to 2025, Wolfgang Kubin has produced an extensive body of work. In December 2025, OSTASIEN Verlag published the list of publications 1975–2025 with 142 pages, edited by Martin Hanke.

More than 50 guests from home and abroad came to the event in Café Museum. In addition to the lecturers Prof. Dr. Richard Trappl, Dr. Friedrich Zettl, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kubin himself and Mag. Walter Fehlinger were presented with a film by Prof. Fred Turnheim as part of the evening. A particular highlight was the reading of a personal letter from Austria’s former Federal President D.Dr. Heinz Fischer. The cellist MMag Jing Gatke provided the musical arrangement for the evening, creating a dignified atmosphere with her sensitive playing.

Following is the speech held by Mag. Walter Fehlinger from BACOPA:

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed Professor Kubin!

Eighty years—that’s quite an achievement, a real accomplishment. Especially considering your unquenchable creative drive, Professor Kubin.

I am delighted that we can celebrate you here today at Cafe Museum – just a few steps from the Vienna Secession – following your celebration in Beijing on December 17^th.

Around 125 years ago, the founding of the Secessions—along with those in Munich, Vienna, Berlin, and other cities—provided impetus for the dawn of modernism under the motto: “To every age its art. To art its freedom” („Der Zeit ihre Kunst. Der Kunst ihre Freiheit“).

This, of course, also applies to literary freedom—because literature is art, and books are more than just printed paper or, as we know, a blog post online.

I am referring here to the worrying developments in Western, democratic countries, such as the “book ban” in the USA by conservative forces and in Europe by more left-leaning forces, and the fearmongering against other countries, such as currently against China.

Pointing the finger at other countries and saying, “Look, there are even stricter restrictions and censorship there,” is, in my opinion, a distraction from our own problems, because I believe that in all countries,—regardless of the political system—society should stand up for artistic freedom if it is important to them.

Dear guests, I ask you: Must a publisher, in this case myself, agree with all the content of a work?

Of course not! The same applies to Professor Kubin’s books. My freedom lies in whether or not to publish them.

I don’t want to discuss Professor Kubin’s significance now, as Professor Richard Trappl will have more to say on that.

One thing is certain for me, however. Professor Kubin: Being half Austrian yourself, and with your life’s work, you will join the ranks of Arthur von Rosthorn, Erwin Ritter von Zach, Jakob Rosenfeld, Richard Frey (better known in China as Fu Lai), Professor Gerd Kaminski, and Helmut Sohmen—all Austrians from diverse fields—in building bridges between our countries.

For me, you are a lateral thinker. This term is quite controversial these days, with rather negative connotations.

But what does the dictionary say about it?

It describes a “person who thinks independently and originally, and whose ideas and opinions are often not understood or accepted.”

So, someone who polarizes, who addresses many things directly and openly, which doesn’t exactly win you friends, Mr. Kubin, either here in German-speaking countries or in China.

I ask you, what’s wrong with that? Trying to please everyone, telling everyone what they want to hear? If necessary, we are happy to swim against the current.

Given the increasing discussion in the West about a future confrontation between the West and the East, and especially with China, I consider your contributions, Mr. Kubin, very important for keeping the various channels of exchange open.

That is one of the reasons why we publish your books.

It wasn’t so long ago that I met you in person in Vienna in 2014, and since then we have published quite a few books together – some of them bilingual. Excerpts have also been published in China.

At the book table, which is being managed by our colleague, Ms. Kristine Hauswirth, you will find – in addition to a selection of books – also signed art cards with motifs by Dr. Friedrich Zettl, which you are welcome to take.

Books and cards can be personalized with a dedication after the celebration upon request.

Dear Mr. Kubin, unfortunately, my wife couldn’t be here today. She sends her warmest greetings to you and everyone present and wishes you all the best belatedly, along with this bouquet of flowers.

As always, I’m sending a bottle of schnapps from an Upper Austrian farmer, naturally in reference to your book, “The Story of a Hip Flask.”

Before I conclude, I would like to read you the congratulations from former Federal President Dr. Heinz Fischer.

Let’s raise a glass to you!

I wish you a pleasant evening, and we will now begin with cellist Ms. Jing Gatke and Johann Sebastian Bach.