On August 25, 2015, the Martials Arts Federation for World Peace hosted a Martial Arts Festival. The event drew over 600 spectators, who filled the gymnasium at the Cheongshim International Youth Center. In this Tong Il Moo Do (Martial Arts) event, 80 martial artists prepared a special dance and drumming performance.
Martial Arts Federation President Pyeong Rae Moon emceed the event, and Martial Arts Federation Chairman Kwon Jin Moon gave an opening address, through which he said, “Martial Arts Festival is a platform upon which we must all make the resolve to form a solidarity for the unification of North Korea and South Korea, the hope of our people, and open an era of unification.”
He urged everyone saying, “In order to successfully achieve a peaceful unification and become the leading force in the Pacific Rim Era and a world based on the culture of heart, we must train our minds and bodies, attain body and mind unity and grow into mature people that excel both at martial arts and in literary work…. Let us become future leaders who contribute to the realization of a world of peace through martial arts.”
Director Lee Gi Seong offered an opening prayer, and FFWPU-Korea Chairman Ryu Kyeong Seuk gave a message of encouragement. After talking about the history of Martial Arts Federation, which has expanded its foundation to forty nations today, Chairman Ryu said, “As martial artists that have both trained mind and bodies and character, I sincerely hope that you creatively and actively respond to the changes of this new age and work toward bringing about harmony and unity in this twenty-first century.”
In the following martial arts demonstrations, teams of young Unificationists re-created a story in their movements, demonstrating resolve and strength. The True Love Peace School team then gave a demonstration, followed by a martial arts performance by four UPA cadets using sticks and displaying discipline and courage. The Japanese Cheon-Bu-Eun-Go team also presented a special performance The Seonjeong-Seonhwa Brothers International Team followed with a performance, their storyline conveying that they will pierce through the darkness and move on to become hope. Finally, martial art demonstrators of the Martial Arts Federation presented the essence of Tong il Moo do including the four-position foundation and give and receive action, by forming harmony between soft circular movements and strong strait-line movements.
All participants then stood up and sang together “Sarang He,” followed by loud cheers from the audience. This event, full of meaning and talent, was a beautiful, artistic and skillful display of determination to grow as a generation of leaders aligned with God’s vision and providence.
