Abstract - The Cracow Festival of Martial Arts
The Festival of Martial Arts in Cracow has been organized annually since 2001 by Mr Rafał Przybycień, the physical education teacher in Private Primary School nr 7 in Cracow (Społeczna Szkoła Podstawowa nr 7). The aim of the festival is to make martial arts more popular among children and teenagers, showing the positive influence of martial arts on the personality and individual fitness of those who train. Among the participants of the festival there are the representatives of different martial arts from Poland and abroad. The festival is targeted at the children and teenagers from 5 to 15 years old but there are also older groups (masters).
The participants of the festival one by one present on the mat previously prepared arrangements of exercises and shows of self-defence. The presentations are awarded both with applause of the large audience and cups. The participation in the festival crowns the all-year work on improving one’s fitness and martial arts skills.
During the period of 5 years 900 martial arts students presented their styles deriving from Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Brazil and the Philippines.
In 2004 the Festival was of an international character and it was a part of celebrating the European Year of Education Through Sport. Masters from Poland, England an the Czech Republic presented their skills. The main attraction was the Hapkido show presented by Sam Plumb 7 Dan, the President of the European Hapkido Alliance from England. A year later the special cup was founded by prof. Jacek Majchrowski – the President of Cracow.