Archery Festival in Korea, May 2007: way forward

[Aristotle]

Tikanis, Aristotle?

How about a Greek team joining next time?

T

Poly kala (very good) dear Thomas!
We all hope that 2008 will be another nice Organization for Traditional Arhery in Korea. Our discipline seems to gain day by day new people here in Greece, despite ignorancy of Authorities (only "Olympic" Archery is acceptable).
Next year, I believe that could be possible to show the ancient Greek bow to our Fellows in Seoul.

[Bill Metcalfe]

Thank you Stephen for opening the topic. I have been involved in the organization of knapping events for eighteen years and have had as many as two hundred people arrive from 27 states. I cannot even begin to imagine the details that were involved in the arrangents for an international event like this. None of my events have ever gone as smothely as the festival did.
I would have been very happy to have been able to attend the presentations and try to shoot as well.
My demonstrations were very limited because of the material that was eaten be the mail system. I f invited again I will start out many weeks sooner.
The translaters made the event something that will be near my heart forever. they made everything happen smothely and on time.
I agree that the event will probably not have the same effect if held yearly. Bi annual should be fine. even tho I at my advanced age may not have enough left to go. However the Japan contingent gave me hope.
It was very nice to be able to place faces with the ATARN contacts..
Live well had help others do the same Bill

[Thomas Duvernay]

Dear Friends,

I just returned from the mini-seminar in Seoul. I will comment on it in detail later, as I need to get some sleep. Also, I just had sad news that my dad's younger brother died of an apparent heart attack, so I'm a bit rattled at the moment.

One thing I will mention right now is that this thread became part of the seminar! It was included in one of the presentation papers. So, they are listening

T

[Thomas Duvernay]

I'll give an overview of what went on at the mini-seminar and will probably add comments as I think of them.

I headed up to Seoul early Saturday morning and arrived there about four hours later. I then took the subway to the KMA and met Prof. (Col.) Kim at the Hwarang Hall (guest house). I was checked into a suite, as the smaller rooms were all filled. I should mention that we covered most of our own expenses, as there was no outside support; my costs, including transportation and lodging, was over $100 for two days and a night. The Saturday dinner was covered. It was worth it, as we discussed issues that needed discussing.

I should also mention that this seminar was not affiliated with the WTAF organization. It was composed of Korean Archery Culture Research Association (KACRA) members; the only WTAF people there were me, Prof. Kim, Mr. Lee Keon-ho, and Dr. Choi Jin-hee.

Prof. Kim discussed the festival, and had included both pictures and video from the event. There was unanimous opinion that the festival should be held every two years and not annually. Mr. Lee Keon-ho was the discussant with Prof. Kim.

Dr. Choi was the presenter on the proposed new organization. One of the things discussed was the name. The domain WTAA has been taken with all the major suffixes (com, org, net, etc.), so Dr. Choi said Kay Koppedrayer suggested WOTAA (WOrld Traditional Archery Association). In Korean, they pronounced it "Wa tta", which means "coming". The name was well-received.

I was the discussant with Dr. Choi. There were many items discussed during this time (and even more discussion went on at dinner and afterwards). I'll highlight a few points.

1. There is a need to establish traditional archery centers in each participating country. The center can be that country's HQ for WOTAA.

2. The org will need to eventually become an official entity, but even an unofficial, Internet-based org at present will be enough. Becoming official in Korea presents some hurdles, but they can be solved over time.

3. WOTAA can promote each country's national archery internationally and promote int'l archery domestically.

4. Eventually, int'l members will need to agree on rule standardization, although that would not be a priority now.

There were many other bits and pieces that were discussed througout the night and even the next day. I proposed a major archery center in Korea, where int'l archery training could take place, including having bow and arrow masters conduct crafting seminars.

As for the website, I was talked into being the webmaster. However, I can only oversee things; other members will have to step up and actually take charge. We envision the web site having multi-lingual pages, with members from each country being the webmaster for that archery culture.

As for the video I talked about above, Prof. Kim suggested it be provided to members upon joining. Dr. Choi, I believe, will look into it being professionally edited.

In a small session after dinner, it was suggested that a festival of some type (probably less formal than the WTAF) be held in Mongolia. However, members would probably need to bear most costs personally. It's something maybe to discuss with our Mongolian brothers.

Prof. Kim stressed how valuable Stephen's contribution was to the WTAF and that it would not have been possible without his help. Likewise, Stephen's and ATARN's support will be crucial to future festivals and WOTAA.


More later as I think of things...


T

[Stephen Selby]

I am glad there were so many positive views on the Korean event and I appreciate the kind remarks made about ATARN's role.

As for ATARN itself, we can maintain an unaffiliated, apolitical role for the 'Network'. We should keep ourselves as an unstructured, constructive anarchy, willing to help anyone without political strings. We need to beware that many of these international sporting / cultural initiatives eventualy become politicized. (That was probably already a political statement )

Beware of Chairmen, Prsidents and Secretaries.

Anarchy rules ok.

S

[stunhjs]

Hello ~ every archers!

First of all, I do not know how much I have to say thank you to Mr.Stephen Selby for making like this discussion post and I would like to say thank you to all of panels and arcers around the World. I am also wondering how all of you have been doing...

I still remember all memory of 2007 WTAF in my mind vividly, which all of us made succesfully. I should have taken part in this forum more earlier..

Well, let me express our view which the Korean Organizing staff for the WTAF is thinking for the WTAF 2008...

First shot : I don't mind to hold WTAF in 2009 year cause of opening 2008 Olympic in the Beijing. But, Korean Government will undertake supporting WTAF on condition that we hold WTAF every year for 3 years. So, we have to no choice nothing but holding WTAF 2008 next year. With doing like that, we think that we can improve and revitalize WTAF...

Second shot : We really wish you can help us sincerely.

Last shot : After 3 times of WTAF, we can decide frequency and location for the WTAF with archers representative of each country.

Thank you so much!

I bless you keep to be happy and healthy. Take care~

Best wishes,

Mr.Won.

[Andrzej Abratowski]

(That was probably already a political statement Razz )

yes Stephen it was very political
personally, I'm not a fan of official federations like sport federations

Chairmen, Presidents and Secretaries

etc. etc. etc.
but on the other hand, there was no possibility organising such festival without official association - no supports, no sponsorship.

I think that the name WOTAA is very fine.
But I have some questions:
what role may be fulfil such world association in fact,
do we really need it,
and if yes what would be an interest in establish WOTAA in more countries?

In many countries there are a lot of small or a bit bigger traditional archery associations and unofficial groups or even single persons, dissimilar to sport federations. And I think it (diversity) is a power of traditional archery, though sometimes is hard to reach an agreement

Today even if decide to start, I would prefer very loosely federation of societies, groups and persons. Korea with its good organization and strong associations may fulfil leading role.

But may be our ATARN constructive anarchy is and further would be better and sufficient - these questions need reflection.

Korean Government will undertake supporting WTAF on condition that we hold WTAF every year for 3 years

Greate! and thank you

Andrzej

[Aristotle]

Good news from Greece!
A magazine of a very wide circulation "RED BELIEVERS" (the official magazine of the Champion Football Team of Greece "OLYMPIAKOS") in its last edition (July 2007) printed a very nice article well illustrated concerning 2007 W.T.A.F.





http://www.horsebackarcherygr.com/press3.htm

Furthermore, another Greek magazine asked me about 2007 W.T.A.F. and a second publication is expecting during summer.
2007 W.T.A.F. inspires Greek Press!

[Aristotle]

2007 W.T.A.F. INSPIRES GREEK PRESS

I'm positively surprised upon viewing the interest of the Greek Press concerning 2007 W.T.A.F.! In a place where average "journalism" means mostly scandals, crime, corruption of politiciens, is a very optimistic sign to discover that events like 2007 W.T.A.F. attracts the interest of Greek journalists!



In its recent edition "MANI, yesterday, today, tomorrow" [ www.mani-ekdoseis.gr ] this wide circulation's magazine includes a very nice article about 2007 W.T.A.F. in Korea.
Besides written-journalism, a TV Programm in Athens presented a dedication to Archery including a reference to 2007 W.T.A.F.
Really, I'm very happy not so much for the publicity of a very serious international event than for the publicity itself of Archery in my Country.
Kindly requested all participants to inform if any publicity in other Countries as well.

[Thomas Duvernay]

Yasu, Aristotle

That's great about the press coverage the WTAF is receiving in Greece. You've been a great representative of the Eastern Peninsula on the Western Peninsula


Thomas

[Aristotle]

Yasu, Aristotle

That's great about the press coverage the WTAF is receiving in Greece. You've been a great representative of the Eastern Peninsula on the Western Peninsula


Thomas

Yasu, Thomas!
A great Organization needs great Organizers and great ...workers like me!
Thank you!