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Visit to Hung Ga historical sites   
Grandmaster Chiu Chi Ling and the International Chiu Chi Ling Hung Ga Kung Fu Assn, supported by the Chinese Government, organized an incredible journey in the Southern China. Representatives of each nation from the Association and many other people, participated in the trip: Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland and USA . This trip focalized the attention on the historical and technical aspects of the Hung Ga Kung Fu. Many southern styles (Naamkuen) were created and developed in these places. The tour started from Hong Kong, where we had the opportunity to train and participate in the Seminars of Sifu Chiu Chi Ling. We attended the technical part of the seminar in the Kowloon park and the theorical one in our Sifu's clinic/gym: and old kwoon with old photos, weapons and rudimental shots. It looks like an ancient Hung Ga Museum. This proves that Chiu Family and Hung Ga style are deeply bound from more than 100 years. Chiu Kao and Sin Ying recently passed away, when they were 100 and 98 years old. In the beginning Chiu Kao was a Wong Sa Wing's pupil, then with his wife Sin Ying, they became disciples of Lam Sai Wing (a Wong Fei Hung's pupil). In the gym, we had the opportunity to see old photos, certificates and trophies. Now Chi Chi Ling and his brothers keep on disclosing the Hung Ga style. At last the trip starts: we moved on a touristic bus, followed by three Chinese journalists. We have the first stop at the Southern Shaolin Temple, Naam Siulam Ji in Putian. This temple is situated on a wonderful mountain. It was recently rebuilt on the ancient ruins with the same original structural peculiarities. Monks welcomed and performed an exhibition for us. Then it's our turn. The second stop was the Siulam Temple in Quanzhou. This temple is also situated on the ancient ruins but the rebuilding is not finished yet. Also this time, monks and other Kung Fu Masters welcomed us: everywhere Sifu Chiu Chi Ling hold in high regard. A local TV troupe shoots the monks' exhibition, much more traditional than the other one. Right after we performed something else.   
In this great scenery, I was glad to perform an ancient ceremony of Hung Ga Style: with the Baaisi, a pupil becomes a member of his Sifu's family. The monks were sorrowed by our departure, and after saying goodbye we moved to Fashan. This town is very famous for the martial arts because many Kung Fu Masters were born here. This time, a government representative, a TV troupe and the local Hung Ga school (training inside the museum) welcomed us. They were very skilled. After a little exhibition, we entered in the museum. Inside, there is a huge pavilion dedicated to the Sitaigung Wong Fei Hung, Hung Ga Master and great hero: he was a legendary character, in fact nowadays many movies are dedicated to him. Visiting this pavilion, I understand why Sifu Chiu Chi Ling is so admired: a lot of photos represent the Wong Fei Hung's followers, Grandmaster Lam Sai Wing, Mok Gwai Lan and the Chiu family.  After visiting the section
of the great Wing Chun Master, Yip Man, we moved to the Chin Woo Association of Foshan: we gave each other some presents
and then we observed their exhibition. The next stop was Xiqiao, where Wong Fei Hung was born. As usual, people
welcomed us and some martial artists performed a lion dance.
We stopped there for few moments, then we came back to Hong Kong. We stayed there for the last days and we had a party for Sifu Chiu Chi Ling's birthday. There were a local Tv troupe, many old sifus of every style: they were happy to be all together in that party as a big family. During this great event, I payed attention to two aspects: first of all, the old sifus exhibited with an incredible vitality and fighting spirit. It seems they were in a friendly competition: everyone wanted to show his own style as the best one. The second thing was a great respect andadmiration for Grandmaster Chiu Chi Ling: he is an important character of the martial arts scenery, and particularly for the Hung Ga. We entered in a big restaurant in Nathan Road (Mongkok, in the land part of Hong Kong , called Kowloon). The hall was just prepared for the party, but Sifu Chiu Chi Ling added other flags and standards. There was also a video station showing the tour's shootings with a great soundtrack. 
Many old Sifus came for the event: some of them with their pupils. There were many journalists coming from Hong Kong and Popular China. 
The party started with the ritual lion dance performed by the Swiss kwoon, and by the other western schools, such as:
Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, USA. There were also two Hong Kong's pupils. The exhibitions was accompanied
with the frenetic rhythm of the drum and cymbals, played from the older sifus. They had an incredible vitality, expressing
joy and cheerfulness.
During all the evening, many sifus performed something: forms of every style (Pagwa, Taiji, Zuiquan, Southern Tanglang, Wing Chun, Hung Ga, Choy Li Fat, Lama, Jowga, Wushu and many others). This exhibition was very long, it lasted for about three hours. We then had dinner, followed at the end by a cake and group photos. Grandmaster Chiu Chi Ling talked with everyone and, often the exhibition restarted. When the party ended, all the western pupils stood in front of the door and thanked all the incoming people. This is the real Hung Ga family. But there was also a karate master, Goju Ryu. For the good result of this tour, we had to thank Sifu Chiu Chi Ling's wife, Virgina, and his son, Kevin. ----------------------- |
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