“Stage (artistic) fencing”
Artistic fencing has long gone beyond the boundaries of theater and film sets, has ceased to be only the discipline of theater studios and universities and the exclusive privilege of theater artists, cinema, actors and stuntmen. Art fencing has become the property of a wide range of enthusiasts and fans, an exciting and extremely spectacular sport.
Artistic fencing is a harmonious fusion of the perfect fencing and artistry technique, light and music, directorial concept and embodied image, hard work in the training room and the magic of the stage … This combination allows his fans to rise to the heights of sportsmanship and to a high level art.
Artistic fencing is not a single combat. Pre-rehearsed solo and group (synchronous) exercises, staged fights with two participants (duets) and staged group fights (from 3 to 8 people) are submitted to the court of spectators and the panel of judges. Performance of athletes is evaluated by the panel of judges. The result consists of an assessment for fencing technique (basic technique, level of mastery of weapons, compositional complexity, etc.) and assessment for performance (artistry, emotionality and expressiveness of performance are taken into account, the choice of weapons, plot, costumes and presentation design is stated in the declared time era).
The history of art fencing as a sports discipline began in our country not so long ago – in May 2004, A.D. Movshovich, professor of the Department of Theory and Methods of Fencing, A.F. Fencing) in the French city of Sables d’Olonne (Sables d’Olonne).
In 2004, we first learned that there are 3 time periods and 4 categories in which competitions have been held in Europe for more than 15 years. In the same year, active work began on the development of artistic fencing in our country, the creation of clubs, the development of training methods for athletes and coaches, the rules of the competition …
The first artistic fencing tournament was held in Moscow in 2006. The number of participants confirmed the great interest of Russians in the new type of fencing, and the question of creating a structure coordinating the development of artistic fencing throughout the whole country became a question of its own. The first step in this direction was the creation of an artistic fencing commission under the FFR, led by a famous director of fencing scenes of cinema and theater, a former rapier, famous actor V.Ya. Balon. The next important stage in the development of art fencing was the recognition in February 2008 by the Federal Agency for Physical Culture and Sports (Rossport) of artistic fencing as a new sports discipline. And now art fencing competitions are included in the Unified calendar of sporting events in Russia, and competition participants have the opportunity to receive sports ranks and titles.
In order to more successfully unite efforts to develop art fencing in the same 2008, the FFR decided to create an artistic fencing federation (MOO FAF). Through the efforts of the FAF, Russian Championships, art fencing festivals, various tournaments, scientific and practical conferences and seminars for coaches and referees are regularly organized and held. 10 regional branches have already been created, methodological literature is being developed, active popularization work is underway, international contacts are being established.
The level of training of Russian athletes is very high, and this is noted by all our foreign colleagues and rivals. From all international competitions, Russian art fencers are returning with medals. At the last World Championship, the Russian fencing team won three gold, one silver and one bronze medals.
The FAF sets itself the task of developing and popularizing artistic fencing in Russia, strengthening the authority of Russian art fencing in the international arena, organizing a wide competitive movement throughout Russia, helping coaches, judges and athletes to improve their skills and participate in competitions within the country and abroad. The FAF plans to create a wide network of regional branches, develop local art fencing, create children’s and youth sections and clubs, and much more.
