Colegio Militar Branch, Brazil / Feb 2003 Contributor: Branch Master Evandro Schuster

Nation's Party in Porto Alegre

In Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, there is a traditional festival, which has been happening once a year, for 11 years (and the first one does not count because it was experimental). It's called "Festa das Nacoes"(Nation's Party), where people get together to show the culture, handicraft and gastronomy from different countries. Its last edition was on November 22nd to 24th, and the culture of 22 countries was presented in a great stage located at the parking lot of Bourbon Shopping. There were 42 presentations, including dances, music and arts from the whole group of countries. In Martial Arts, 3 countries made presentations: Japan, with Shorinji Kempo; Brazil, with Capoeira and Korea, with Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do.

The great family of Shorinji Kempo participates every year. And our first participation was in 1991 in another Shopping Center at Porto Alegre called Iguatemi. In the invitation to Colegio Militar Branch, the organizers say: "the presence of Shorinji is a must". In Canoas, a little town near from Porto Alegre, a similar Party was created 5 years ago. And also there, our group has been invited since the first one edition.



This year, representing Colegio Militar Branch, 15 kenshis made presentations of Kihon, Dantai Embu and Female Self-defense. Before the main presentation, Branch Master Evandro Schuster and Guaiba Branch Master Jose Ricardo made their Embu. After this, all the kenshis practiced kihon and hokei. Than Kyu kenshis made an enthusiastic Dantai Embu followed by Female Self Defense. This part called the attention of the public; the girls performed the techniques with lady's handbag and umbrella, making people see that it "really" was self-defense! They were attacked by kenshis representing a thug. At the end, Branch Master Evandro Schuster and two Kyu Kenshis performed a Dantai Embu followed by Shuteki Toho. Besides this, during the presentation, the host read a small text about Shorinji Kempo's foundation and the 6 principles of Shorinji Kempo(Ken Zen Ichinyo, Riki Ai Funi, Fussatsu Katsu Jin, ShuShu Koju, Go Ju Ittai and Kumite Shutai).


After the presentation, a lot of people came to us asking about a lot of things. They ask about difference between Go Ho and Ju Ho techniques, about competitions (if there are) and how could be possible to a small person subduing other who is much strong and big. So, we all made our best to explain the characteristics and the principles used in Shorinji Kempo. As well how we do practice and what is the real purpose of Kongo Zen Shorinji Kempo. Perhaps, we did reach our goal of propagate Shorinji Kempo to many people as possible. I say this just because 3 persons came to our Branch after the event. And they are members from the Shorinji Family, today!

GASSHO.

 

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