Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization
少林希腊文化組织

The Greek Shaolin Cultural Organization had a bright participation in another innovative initiative during the official program of the 16th Environment Festival in the Balkan Botanical Garden of Kroussion, on Sunday 11 June 2017. The event took place with the support of the central Macedonia region. EPOS responded directly to the call of Dr. Malupa Helen for the presentation of Shaolin Soft Arts.

The coordination of this action was held by the Director of the National Club of Northern Greece Mr. Vasilopoulos Ioannis of the Thessaloniki Cultural Center "True Path", assisted by his students Mavridou Sophia, Paipati Chrissi, Stergiou Electra-Anna and Radovich Adriana, who offered the best for the smooth conducting of the educational presentation.

The event was proclaimed by the Deputy Mayor and Culture Commissioner of the Prefecture of Kilkis, Mr. Tsantakis Dimitrios, who enthusiastically attended the program and with whom the group had the opportunity to discuss about Shaolin arts and the possibility to participate in other similar events in the future.

The program began with a brief presentation of Shaolin culture, how much it has been misunderstood by the West, and that its Soft Arts are an integral part of its 1500-year history, which UNESCO recognized on 1 August 2010 as a Cultural Monument of Humanity and Classified as a World Heritage Site. At the narrative, student Paipati and Mauridou, presented Shaolin Soft Fist, Shaolin Rou Quan which later appeared as the famous Taiji Quan. Young and older were invited to participate and so the room was transformed into an age bridge, getting together young adults, parents and children.

Surprisingly, for the first time, an group armed skill of Shaolin Rou Jian straight sword was presented, promoting even more Shaolin arts and impressing the prosperous audience.

At the end of the program there was an interactive presentation to Shaolin Qi Gong, which also involved young and old. The members of the team once again contributed the best and always with finesse in order for all to be able to experience all the beneficial benefits of the exercises.

The director of Balkan Botanical Garden of Kroussion, Dr. Malupa Eleni thanked the contributors by stating.

"The purpose of the Balkan Botanical Garden is first and foremost to love all living creatures in nature, and it is a great pleasure to see that Shaolin arts eventually aim at it."

The event was covered by ERT Kilkis and other local media.