Hello you all!
Though, even if i am one of the guys who have organised this event, i was asked and/or suggested to write a review about this on SFI several times. Since nobody else has found the time to do this (no pun intended), i will now. ;-)
On the 12., 13., 14. and 15. of September, Gladius et Codex - Historical European Martial Arts, held their first anniversary and used this opportunity to organise a
HEMAC Liechtenauer Event. This seminar was based on "invitation only", therefore no public advertising has been made but still 43 people from all over Europe used their "birthday invitation" and celebrated this special weekend with us. As teachers, Matt Galas from Mons, Belgium and Jörg Bellinghausen from the vicinity of Bonn in Germany have been invited to give lessons on their interpretation of Liechtenauer. More details will follow.
As special guests we were able to welcome Odin Lindgaard from North-Norway Lofoten, Bart Walczak from Cracow, Poland and Hans Heim and Claus Drexler along with their "gang" from Ochs Munich, Germany. Also we had Benjamin "Lonely Dog" Rittiner from Bern, Switzerland as guest from Dog Brother Martial Arts and Charlie Markli, 13th Khan Muay Thai and President of the Swiss Muay Thai Association.
Day One, 12. September
On the first day, due to special arrangements with Dr. Senn the curator, we have been able to visit the famous weapons collection of the Zurich Landesmuseum in the depot and to handle quite a few good pieces:
- A onehanded sword from the 9th century found in a lake with the typical "viking style" found all over europe at this time.
- Two onehanded swords from 1150-1250.
- A one-and-a-half-hand sword from the 1380ies of type Sempach.
- A twohanded Bastard sword from inbetween 1460 - 1490 with a hilt and pommel named as a flemish type by Oakeshott, but with the typical "Wolf" blademark from Passau, Germany.
- Three Federschwerter from around 1520 which can be seen in P.H. Mair and J. Meyer
Dr. Senn, Jörg Bellinghausen and Marlon Hoess-Boettger inspecting the 1 1/2 Hand Sword from Sempach
Odin Lindgaard, Bart Walczak, Claus and Barbara in front of the layed out swords
Day Two, 13. September
On the second day, the main event began and was started with an opening speech followed by a Powerpoint presentation by myself (Marlon) about the history of Liechtenauers teachings and our current grade of knowledge about him.
After that, Jörg Bellinghausen opened the first practical session with an introduction into the Legers, the basic footwork and sword handling, etc and went over into teaching the five strikes along with some basic counters and counter-counter actions. His workshop went under the topic of Liechtenauers "Vor" concept.
Furthermore, Matt Galas in his workshop which was under the topic of Liechtenauers "Nach" concept, showed us how to Nachreisen, Absetzen, Versetzen and some basic principles which are used in Liechtenauers "defensive" techniques.
Bart executing a "Krumphau"
The evening was spent together at a dinner in the old Zurich armoury, which walls are still stuffed with harnesses, pole weapons, Rapiers and - well - machine guns and assault rifles of modern type, giving the end of a very great first day just the right ambiente.
Day Three, 14. September
The third day began with a demonstration by Jörg and Matt about the working from the bind and all concepts included like winden, duplieren, mutieren etc. All this was covered hands-on afterwards in Matts second workshop.
Matt and Bart showing the basic principle of "Uberlaufen"
Following this, Jörg gave a workshop about the "ringen am schwert" (wrestling at the sword) and half-swording.
Hans Heim and Matt doing halfswording
Jörg showing halfswording "on" Hans
The day was concluded with a question&answer, a lot of thank yous, bittersweet farewells and good blesses until the next meeting in six weeks at the festival in Bayreuth.
Day Four, 15. September
The Seminar concluded with a second visit to the Landesmuseum for those who haven't been able to join in on Friday. This time we also were able to handle a Katzbalger from 1500; a beauty in its own.
Conclusion
Well, what can i say? A great birthday...
(triple smile)
Some links:
The official gallery (more pics added soon)
Gladius et Codex, Zurich, Switzerland
A review by Ochs
HEMAC
All the best, yours sincerely, Marlon
P.S.: Forgive my english right now, but it has been a long day...
Gladius et Codex Anniversary and HEMAC Liechtenauer Event (long loading) -
09-22-2003, 02:50 PM
Sweet! -
09-22-2003, 02:55 PM
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