Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

On Thursday the 22nd of December, the Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization (EPOS) had a brilliant presence at the Noesis planetarium of Thessaloniki, in perhaps one of the great events of the year, organized by the founders of Pisches (Ictheis) Baby swimming Thessaloniki. The event hosted a plethora of activities ranging from the areas of technology, therapy, creative art labs, nutrition, theater, dance and music.

The participation for EPOS was shouldered by the recently constituted Shaolin Cultural Center of Thessaloniki “True Way” with master Vasilopoulos Ioannis and the demo team of the center. The team participated not only with interactive Shaolin Kung Fu workshops in a specially designated area, but also with an active role in the event’s main program.

The team has set of with a pioneering narrative live performance of the history of Shaolin, while soft music accompanied the presentation of the soft fist of Shaolin – Shaolin Rou Quan [chin.: róuquán 柔拳],the art which later on the well known Tai Ji Quan was created from.

The benefits upon exercising on those arts were mentioned and the fact that many world health organizations recommend them as well as Qi Gong. In this occasion, it was elucidated what Kung Fu is all about, what exactly its role is and that essentially it aspires at self cultivation rather than merely self-defence.

Weaponless routines from Shaolin Gong Fu were followed, while the enthralled audience had the opportunity to hear about the martial virtue of Shaolin – Wu De [ chin.: WǔDé 武德], which comprises the keystone of practice in all Shaolin arts.

Later on the accredited master of EPOS Mr Vassilopoulos Ioannis presented a routine with Jian (straight sword), maintaining thus undimmed the audience’s interest.
The on-stage epilogue was given by an interactive Shaolin Qi Gong [chin.: qìgōng 气功] and Rou Quan especially prepared for children but welcomed adults too. Soon enough, the highly energetic children, successfully adhered to the program, which was in a form of a fairy taile. The play of infinite movements, coveted them and finally managed to adopt to all cognitive levels, while the demo-team helped all the way through in a highly discreet manner.

“The Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization would like to thank the event coordinators who were no other than the founders of Babyswim Thessaloniki Ictheis, for their trust and wholeheartedly wishes them all the best of auspiciouness at keeping up their efforts. The Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization will be by their side and partner in other similar initiatives, stated the founder of EPOS Mr Stavridis Jordan.

It should also be mentioned that part of the event’s income were allocated to two organizations, the orphanage Μelissa and Ilitominon.