The BUDO Festival in Toruń from 1994 to 2016

Abstract

The history of the Budo Festival - martial arts and combat sports demonstrations - dates back to 1994, when, as an integral part of the First Days of Japanese Culture in Toruń, the First Budo Festival was held. The Days of Japanese Culture, and with them the Budo Festival, were held in Toruń until 2012. After the Days of Japanese Culture were no longer organised, the Budo Festival was held for four more years, until 2016.

Popularisation and promotion of the martial arts element of Japanese culture became one of the two main objectives of organising the Budo Festival in Toruń. The second objective was the educational element, which involved showing the cultural context, the history of martial arts, the benefits of training them and the rules that apply to them.

The shows attracted experts and enthusiasts of the subject, as well as people simply wanting to watch an interesting spectacle. Many of them returned for subsequent Festivals, and there were also those who, having become more familiar with a particular martial art, found themselves training in clubs. During all editions of the Budo Festival, 30 martial arts and combat sports clubs took advantage of the opportunity to promote and present their skills.