Archery Festival in Korea, May 2007: way forward

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Wed May 16, 2007 2:25 am

Please use this topic for constructive suggestions, evaluation and ideas for promoting traditional archery worldwide on a sustainable basis.

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Wed May 16, 2007 2:35 am

So
I shall respond to my own post:

- the Festival was a valuable event which opened the eyes of participants to many new possiblities.
- the Korean Government and sponsors provided generous financial support: this was a visionary policy.
- the Festival should be repeated; but not annually. Every two or three years is a possiblity.
- part of the success of this event was due to the excellent preparations made by the organizers for translation between English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean. Good translation in our difficult subject is important.
- the interpreters gained valuable experience in our subject. We should keep track of these good people so that we can use them again.
- communication bewtween the organizers concerning the timetable of events and the travel/transport arrangements needs to be strengthened. Many partipicants did not have experience of international events and they needed special attention beyond what can normally be anticipated: it was not always the fault of the organizers.
- there can be many economic, social and political reasons why it is not possible for valued members of the traditional archery community to leave their countries and travel overseas. We need to consider out-reach to them as well as bringing people together in one place.

S

Thomas Duvernay · Post by **Thomas Duvernay** » Wed May 16, 2007 2:55 am

I agree, Stephen. Regarding the interval between festivals, I think if they are held every other year (odd-number years), then we won't have as many conflicts with other international events such as the Olympics and World Cup. With that in mind, we should think forward towards 2009

T

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Wed May 16, 2007 3:27 am

Some people have said that this was a Korean Traditional Archery meets ATARN event due to the large number of ATARN members who managed to attend. However, there were many more areas represented aside from our own and everyone involved should be proud of the result.

It was really good to meet those ATARN contributers too. Usually you have conversations with friends. We had conversations that created friends. My greatest regret was that I could be in three places at once to take advantage of all the opportunities available.

M Hardman · Post by **M Hardman** » Wed May 16, 2007 4:35 pm

I would love to attend one of these festivals, but Korea would be a bit of a way for me (and quite a few others I'd imagine) to travel. Perhaps rotate the festival round countries interested in traditional archery?

Mike

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Thu May 17, 2007 2:20 am

It would be difficult to get, say, the Korean Government to sponsor the event outside Korea. If you can get the Bristol City Council to sponsor the next one, you're the man!

Michal · Post by **Michal** » Thu May 17, 2007 8:29 am

Stephen thanks for the opening this discussion.
If i may say:
1) i agree with frequency 1 per 2-3 years. To make a good horn bow (and so get some new experiences) took not less than one year, as far as i can say. And exchanging of such experiences i consider to be the main purpose of the festival. Competition is, i think, only one of, lets say, attractions in the festival.
2) It would be nice if theoretical part i mean seminars and presentations should be accented. Although "Traditional archery" is very wide concept, but for most of us, if i could say, is the leading idea to go to the roots oft the archery and re-establishing of ancient, and almost forgotten technologies of bowmaking or practissing.
I have good experience with poster sessions from medical conferences i attended. The posters with presentation of some "fresh" results are placed in the public room so everybody could read them when has time. And than there is some time schedule, when the authors are standing front of theirs posters prepared to explain and discuss. Some kinds of informations about traditional archery should be presented this way.

Finally i would like to say, that theese days in Korea, for myself, where something like "pretaste of archers paradise"

)
Human life is short, and full of missunderstandings, but there are some extraordinary moments when you are touching something diferent. May be the idea, that bow and arrow connects earth, heaven and human, is really valid.
sincerely
Michal Goetz, Czech republic

M Hardman · Post by **M Hardman** » Thu May 17, 2007 3:28 pm

Whoops, my skimming really is bad, I kinda missed the bit about korean gov sponsership

Well, if anyone was interested in doing a festival in little ol' England then it shouldn't be so hard to get something started. Many different history festivals have sprung up here over the past years. The yearly history fair in warick for example. Things like that are usually very popular among people here (or at least the people I know). Of course, I have no idea about logistics

Mike

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Fri May 18, 2007 1:12 pm

The organisers are already making plans for next year's festival, according to an email they sent out. -j-

Thomas Duvernay · Post by **Thomas Duvernay** » Fri May 18, 2007 2:58 pm

Yeah, that's also what I received. I'm sending you a PM, Jack.

T

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:38 am

I said very clearly, including to the politico at the top, Mr Won and Col. Kim, that I did not think this event was sustainable on a yearly basis. What's more, next year will be approaching the Beijing Olympics and many of the people from China will be able to get away easily. Same goes for Hong Kong, where we're hosting the equestiran events.

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Sat May 19, 2007 12:04 pm

Maybe Mr. Won has fiscal reasons, use or loose type thing. I would encourage anyone who had a chance to go. Life should be so good as we were treated. -j-

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:43 pm

I can see both points of view. If a small group goes, they would have to put a lot of effort into recording what happened so the rest do not miss out. I hope some of the videos being taken will be made available as DVDs. I only managed 25 minutes of video and 350 photographs (half in the National Museum of Korea). Next time I will bring more power adapters.

On the other hand, if we alternate big and small festivals and increase the Korean participation, there might be a viable alternative.

Thomas Duvernay · Post by **Thomas Duvernay** » Sat May 19, 2007 2:06 pm

I'm all for people coming over for any size event--even if a handful of interested people come for an informal gathering, we can spend all our time shooting

This time, come on down to my neck of the woods...

T

Andrzej Abratowski · Post by **Andrzej Abratowski** » Sat May 19, 2007 5:23 pm

First thanks for idea of the incredible event, for inviting me and thank you all for miraculous, magic atmosphere during World Archery Festival.
For me the most important was the opportunity to meet almost all people who I only know through internet, e-mail and web. Next it was see so many ways of traditional archery in one place and see traditional archery masters. And last but not least to see the beautiful Korea.

Thanks Korean archers, it was great work.

World Festival should be, not should, it must be continued. It is clear. Problem is how often. I agree with Stephen that every two years would be the best choice. And the festival, in my opinion, should have one day more for participating in all events. This year I could participate only as shooter without any chance of hearing seminars because I have marked ?shooter?. It should be clearer explained. In the over hand the spontaneous meeting in bow maker room was strangely interesting and fruitful.

May be such system would be good: one year world traditional archery festival, next year some continental (or covering smaller range) festivals?

A
PS I'm looking for pictures with me in national costium during shooting