Archery Festival in Korea, May 2007: way forward

[Michal]

Hi Andrzej,
i have a couple of pictures of you shooting in costume. Send me as PM your adress and i will send you CD with all my 400 pictures.
Michal

[Thomas Duvernay]

I just received an e-mail from the organizer, Mr. Won. They are fully intending on going ahead with a 2008 WTAF, even with the Olympics being in the same year.

[Stephen Selby]

Wel,, if he has the money, well a nd good. Plenty of people will be happy to come.

S

[Knight of Dissonance]

Personally I have no problem going to Korea each year. The festival was such an incredible event! Too get to meet all the people, share experiences and all. But one thing I really missed way a more detailed presentation of the techniques used. For me it would have been great to have presentations by every country where they explained their style of shooting in detail. There are so many styles (especially thumb draw) which would have been great to learn more about.

And yes a better opportunity to shoot more would be just perfect. To have a shooting range where we could have gone to freely would have been excellent. Where one could go and shoot whenever one had time.

[Fox]

Just to echo:

1) everyone including myself are very grateful to the organiser, very generous offer and very successful in all aspect to get all of us together.

2) whether it is annual or biannual, it would be great if financially viable.

3) i suggest we need
a) a place we can have some semi permanent booth to display our materials, some time to be allocated to man the booth and so everybody find some time to walk around, look and chat; (say set the booth outside the big conference room, then we can chat after dinner etc.)
b) a demonstration of own archery style plus explanation together, instead of just shoot and go;
c) install practised range but a field safety manager must be employed and simples rule of shooting set solely for safety reason
d) try to spend the day time for field session and evening for conference.
e) during the competition, different groups can simultaneously shooting four sets of target (however any groups, any target in future, shoot simultaneously as far as possible to save time, instead of one group shooting one target,) then people no need to wait too long, also save time for conference.
f) no overlapping of significant event, i.e. the bomb fire party and the future ahead conference, both are very important but most people not knowing that they are running parallel.
g) spectator number is low and would the event be taken place with large amount of spectator.
h) publicity I don't know if any press etc were invited to see all of us etc.
i) horses available at the centre and just wonder horseback archery display may be possible.

Having said above, I thank many other things are very very good, lodging, food, the bomb fire party, how they arrange room, interpreters for each group, hospitality.......

I wish I could have shot better and sure will return anytime if allowed.

Fox

[Bede]

I agree with Fox's ideas.

One of the most rewarding things for me was the discussions I had with the other people at the event. Many I had met here on ATARN and seen their opinions and shared their knowledge. Talking to them, I discovered the depth of their experience as well as their knowledge. I also discovered a lot of good humour and inclusiveness. Archery, no matter how serious, is fun. From a research point of view, it is one of those things where you can learn about something and then try it out. You can really test your knowledge.

This was my first chance to see a large group of Korean archers shoot and I was impressed by their form and accuracy. I had met some very good Korean archers in the past and it is not possible to form a good idea of the ordinary level of Korean archery from seeing only the top level.

I had also seen Bhutanese archers shoot before and this time I saw a group shooting and had an impression of their general style as opposed to their individual styles. It was the same with the Mongolians. Seeing a group of people shoot was enlightening.

In the case of the Japanese, I was very impressed to see how they adapted their close distance style to longer distances while maintaining its integrity and strength.

My Turkish friends were a delight to see because I had so hoped that Turkish archery would be reborn in its home and start to flourish again.

It was very good to see the renewed flourishing a Chinese archery and the support of Tibetan archery too. China is a big country with many traditions of archery, both Chinese and from other cultures within its borders.

The various European styles are healthy at home and growing well. The English and Scandinavians have related archery styles and distinctive personalities in their traditions. The Hungarians are another group who have actively recovered their traditions and made a big impact on the rest of the world.

Of course the various North American traditional styles have passed into the background consciousness of the whole world through movies so it is really interesting to see the real thing. It is much more impressive than the movies. Another good thing is how North Americans, who are not of Native American descent, are just as interested and keen at promoting the traditional styles.

I am in that situation myself. My ancestors have not been archers for several centuries. I became interested in Asian styles and have been lucky enough to be able to learn something about various traditions. When I started thirty years ago, I never thought I would be able to meet people with so many skills in a forum like the Festival and exchange ideas.

Incidentally, this was not meant to be a list of the things I enjoyed. There were many others besides those mentioned here. What I am trying to say is that there were so many things to see and do of great value to the participants that we should support and contribute ideas for the continuation of the initiative our Korean hosts provided.

[Hilary Greenland]

Firstly a big thankyou to the organisers for a successful first festival and to all those who made it so enjoyable. I learnt a great deal and feel, like Bede, that the sense of inclusiveness was special.

Logistically it was one amazing task, and I was immediately struck that I could not see the UK doing anything like the same, when our Olympic archers (recognised by the establishment whereas the traditionalists are not) struggle for support and sponsorship. Korean generosity made this possible and while it is essential to keep up the momentum, I agree that two years is more sustainable if the sponsorship can be so arranged. Perhaps between the main festivals a 'peripatetic' festival could be arranged moving 'round elsewhere in the world -spreading the workload somewhat and allowing countries with less chance of major sponsorship to contribute.

I think the newly formed World Traditional Archery Archery Association could have a vital role in maintaining the momentum generated by this event. Does anyone have any news regarding it's proposed activities? A website would be a great start where the various (non-commercial) individual traditional archery sites and organisations could link and exchange information, news and events etc. as well as advising of progress and activity at the Festivals. It could hopefully develop some worldwide 'clout' and even shame some governments into doing the same as the Koreans!

I've been inspired by this event, as have many others. I think something really important for worldwide archery traditions has happened.

A big virtual handshake to the new friends I met at the Festival!

[Aristotle]

Dear Comrades in Archery,
I would like to thank, firstly, the Korean Authorities and the Organizers of 2007 W.T.A.F. for their excellent hospitality and knowledge they offered me during last festival in Korea.
Furthermore, I would like to thank all of you for the unforgetable moments and experience in Seoul.
This first attempt to unify traditional Archers from all the World was very successful indeed! The only I wish is to have the opportunity to meet us next years in same place. I think that this Organization has to held in Korea permanently because its Organizers (despite some difficulties) gave the strongest evidence that they are enough experienced to repeat successfully such attempt in future.
The Greek Horseback Archery Team "CENTAURS KASSAI" has already dedicate a page to aforementioned event, with the hope that, upon visiting it, sweet Archery-memories will be back to your mind!

http://www.horsebackarcherygr.com/2007wtafkorea.htm

Kindest regards to all of you, from Athens-Greece!

[Orda Khan]

That's a nice website Aristotle, the festival must have been wonderful judging by the pictures.
I notice Kassai bows and was wondering did you use these there? Were modern materials acceptable?

[Aristotle]

That's a nice website Aristotle, the festival must have been wonderful judging by the pictures.
I notice Kassai bows and was wondering did you use these there? Were modern materials acceptable?

Thank you very much!
Yes, I use "KASSAI" bows. All of them are made after a thorough archaelogical research according original measures. Their materials are natural (wood/leather/horn etc.) but some glues or vernishes are of modern technology. All "KASSAI" bows in Horseback Archery are absolutely suitable and reliable.

[Orda Khan]

Sorry Aristotle, I should have been more clear. I use a Kassai 'Deer' Hun model myself and I thought perhaps there would be some objection to the glass fibre limbs. Obviously there was not, which is great news.

I loved the traditional costumes, this event looks really well organised. Thanks for sharing the photos.

p.s. Your website is in 'my favourites'

[Aristotle]

I use a Kassai 'Deer' Hun model myself and I thought perhaps there would be some objection to the glass fibre limbs

In Horseback Archery we need (at least for the beginners) very light and strong (fast) bows some bow-models meet those standards using modern materials. This is not the common rule of bow-construction.
Upon visiting following link you will discover the whole "KASSAI" bows-catalogue:
http://felszerelesek.lovasijaszat.hu/fe ... ups&lang=2
Thank you very much for your appreciation of our website!

[Thomas Duvernay]

Yasu, Aristotle It's good to have you here.

This coming weekend, we will have WTAF seminar version 1.5...

I will be meeting with Prof. Kim Ki-hoon (Korea Military Academy) and several other Korean WTAF'ers this coming Saturday at the KMA. There will be two presentations and discussions (I hope my translations are correct):

1. WTAF Results and Issues

Presenter: Kim Ki-hoon
Discussant: Lee Keon-ho

2. WTAA Foundation Viewpoint and Tasks

Presenter: Choi Jin-hee
Discussant: Thomas Duvernay

I'll let you know how it goes.


T

[Aristotle]

Yasu, Aristotle It's good to have you here.

Υasu, Thomas and Nicholas!
It's nice for World Archery to have you among!
This semninar will be very interesting. Anxiously awaiting your newest.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to translate at the least the conclusions of previous seminar held during W.T.A.F. enabling Greek Traditional Archers to enjoy that brilliant Organization.

[Thomas Duvernay]

Tikanis, Aristotle?

How about a Greek team joining next time?

T