The Closing Ceremony of the Sixth International Festival of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts – Binh Dinh 2016: Hope to meet again at the seventh festival

Binh Dinh Gia Martial Arts School (Ha Noi) performed at the closing ceremony Photo: LE CUONG

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh, Vice Chairman of Binh Dinh People’s Committee, Head of Organizing Committee highly valued the spirit to gather the origin of national and international martial arts schools and overcome difficulties to participate in the sixth festival. He also expressed his thanks to all agencies and units, creating favorable conditions for the success of the sixth festival, contributing to the development of Vietnamese traditional martial arts in the world.

Chairman of Binh Dinh People’s Committee Ho Quoc Dung gave memorial flags and flowers to congratulate martial arts schools with the first, second and third prizes of the Open Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Tournament in 2016. Photo: VAN LUU

Many special performances of martial arts were shown at the closing ceremony, helping audiences come to know the strength of Vietnamese traditional martial arts. During the ceremony, martial arts sects, schools at the sixth festival showed their special performances, proving the diversification of Vietnamese traditional martial arts.

International martial arts athletes performed at the closing ceremony. Photo: VAN LUU

Audiences were really touched and admired the performance of athlete Minh Phúc from Binh Dinh Martial Arts Training Center for the homeless and handicapped in Ho Chi Minh City. Without his two legs and left hand, he successfully completed his performance with axe and with his impressive acrobatics. The performance made by the elderly athletes from Ba Ria Vung Tau also attracted a lot of audiences. 

Handicapped martial arts athlete Minh Phuc and his performance with axe. Photo: VAN CUONG

The Organizing Committee also meets the requirements of international martial arts schools to be performed at the cradle of Vietnamese traditional martial arts. At the end of the ceremony, photographs were taken together, and shaking hands was also done, showing their emotion and happiness when participating in the sixth festival.

The sixth festival has come to an end with memories and all participants want to meet together at the seventh international festival of Vietnamese Traditional Martial Arts.

* Also at the closing ceremony, the Organizing Committee handed recognitions for martial arts athletes with high achievements at the Open Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Tournament in 2016. Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts School received the first prize; Khanh Hoa with the second prize and Quang Ngai with the third prize.

Mr. SALMI MAKHLCEUY, Van Lang Vo Dao Martial Arts School: I spend time recording special and beautiful performances

Mr. Salmi Makhlceuy, 27 years old, Van Lang Vo Dao Martial Arts School has practised traditional martial arts for 2 years. He showed his performances with the moving by his 5 toes and acrobatics, etc. The image of a foreigner with his agility and flexibility was admired and praised by many people.

Mr. Salmi Makhlceuy

This is the first time Mr. Salmi Makhlceuy participated in the festival, so he was really delighted. With the interpretation by his fellow athlete, we come to know that he really admires the beauty of Binh Dinh Province. Mr. Salmi shared, “I spend time recording special and beautiful performances at this festival. I will share these records with martial arts athletes in my country so that they have opportunities to learn from these special performances”

Ms. DUMAMA DERNOUSSI, an athlete from Van Lang Vo Dao Martial Arts Schools (Morocco): I come to know the history and culture of Vietnam through traditional martial arts.

She said, “My husband and my kids have practised Vietnamese traditional martial arts for many years. The passion of my husband and my kids has spread to me very naturally. I started practising martial arts in 2013. Martial arts not only help me to improve my health but also come to know about Vietnam history and culture. 

The performance of Mr. Dumama Bernoussi (the son of Mrs. Dumama Dernoussi) attracted many audiences. Photo: HOAI THU

If we practise regularly, we achieve good quality of Vietnamese martial arts. I will share with my family, relatives and friends in Morocco about the beauty of landscape and people of Binh Dinh, Vietnam.

According to THICH TAM CHIEU, Head of Kinh Van Anh Martial Arts School, we learn a lot about the quintessence of other martial arts schools

Our martial arts school has participated in the festivals in Binh Dinh many times since 2008. This time, our school  has 17 people, most of whom come here the first time and they are really delighted.

An attractive performance by athletes of Kinh Van Anh Martial Arts School (Hue). Photo: TRAN HOA KHA

 When participating in the exchange between martial arts schools, our martial arts school is scheduled after others. However, we are happy to wait until our turn. Special performances by Kinh Van Anh Martial Arts School always attract a lot of audiences. After many times to participate in the festivals, we learn a lot about the quintessence of other martial arts, especially special performances by typical martial arts schools in Binh Dinh martial arts land.

 Master KIM SON TINH, Tay Son Ngoc Diep Martial Arts School (Binh Duong Province): The festival is held, we continue to join!

 Not only do I but also many people feel regrettable for this year's festival when exchanges between martial arts schools are held at the same time (on the morning of August 3, 2016). Martial arts schools are away from each other, so we cannot participate in the exchange at two places though we have tried our best.

 We come to know that most martial arts schools have narrow space, limited infrastructure and lack of necessary conditions to welcome many people, but these martial arts schools are still very considerate. Master Kim Son Tinh said, “If I have to stand in a crowded and narrow space, the weather is hot and no chairs for me, all are not a problem. Moreover, the speciality of Vietnamese traditional martial arts in general, Binh Dinh traditional marial arts in particular is that martial arts athletes can perform in “garden” places. The most valuable thing is the sincerity and hospitality of the host; the organizing of the host is thoughtful and professional.”

Many people say that this festival does not attract many audiences compared to previous festivals, but I do not think so. We have to know the main purpose of our visit. For me, this festival has smaller scale and unattractive contents, etc., it does not a matter. We hope to join again. If the festival is held, we continue to join!

 Mr. FILIPE SAUSE, Viet Vo Dao Martial Arts School (Portugal): “Zero – Sure & I will continue to join”

Mr. Filipe Sause said twice “zero, zero” (no, no) when talking about difficulties; at the same time, he confirmed twice “sure, sure” when asking for his return to join the next festival!

The dissatisfaction or inconvenience if any, regardless of martial arts issues, they are only sideline stories. The purpose of my visit is to set foot to the land of Vietnam traditional martial arts; be seen and meet people who are preserving and developing their martial arts. We want to make friends and exchange with other martial arts schools in the world. All have gathered for this great festival.

Thang Nguyen (source: baobinhdinh.com.vn)