IFHEMA Cup and 2021 General Assembly: Letter from the President to the Member Federations

Brussels, September 21, 2021

Dear Members,

The Autumn Equinox is a good moment to welcome you all into the new IFHEMA working year 2021-2022, in what we all hope(d) to become the ‘post-pandemic period’. Sadly, the future appears still to be full of uncertainties: Corona is far from just over, many HEMA organisations struggle to make sense of their present and their future situation. IFHEMA tirelessly continues to work with its partners to (re)build our community in the face of this adversity, in the first place by establishing a schedule for a few important initiatives and activities that may help provide HEMAists around the world some grip & positive perspective for the year to come. Let me give you a short overview.

  1. IFHEMA Cup
  2. GA08 (our next General Assembly)
  3. Cooperation and activities

The most urgent of these is the upcoming IFHEMA Cup. Many of you wonder whether it will happen. There are still some uncertainties, but chances are good that it will take place. As soon as we get full confirmation of this edition’s host and co-organiser, our German member federation DDHF, a large scale information campaign will be launched. But in order to allow you to start already with preparations, the key points to note follow below.

 

  1. IFHEMA Cup

IFHEMA attaches really great importance to the IFHEMA Cup 2021. It will be the first important international event to take place since the start of the Corona pandemic. We got a strong mandate from the last General Assembly to develop a new format for organising a national teams based HEMA-competition, starting from a solidly XXI-century gender-inclusive philosophy, as well as from the idea that technicality in fighting should be rewarded on an equal par with scoring hits. With our German member federation DDHF, who generously hosts the Cup 21, we have been working out this format, on which more details will follow soon.
But because of the ongoing Corona situation, it is not yet completely sure that the event can go ahead, due to quick evolution of the application of Corona safety criteria in Munich, Bavaria’s capital, our Cup venue. Bavaria recently relaxed its criteria considerably, but the planning of the use of the city’s sports hall is still subject to negotiation by DDHF with the city council. Our German member federation is doing everything it can to secure the date chosen as closely as possible to the date determined by the 2020 General Assembly: either the weekend of 27-28 November or the weekend of 3-4 december 2021. The likelihood that the Cup will go ahead is thus very high, but not yet completely certain. That certainty should be reached at the
latest by the end of this month. A Plan B in case of last minute cancellation of the event pending ad hoc Corona emergencies by the local or national authorities is to postpone the Cup to 2022.
IFHEMA decided to provide (limited) financial support to the international judging team set up by DDHF in cooperation with Austria and Hungary. We are also trying to support members who face real difficulties to participate, by keeping participation fees and/or the prices of accommodation as low as possible.

Cup format: basic outline
DDHF has done a fantastic job in developing a basic concept that includes all the crucial elements required by the GA07 mandate. Fruitful mutual debate and in depth preparatory experimentation on their side has led to a pioneering new, inclusive “people fight people” concept, that opens up tantalising possibilities and can prove pioneering as a potential benchmark for national team competitions in fight sports worldwide in the years to come.

More specifics on the Rule Set, gear requirements, practicalities etc. will follow over the coming weeks through the Cup organiser, DDHF.

The basic features of the Cup format are:

Longsword:

  • a single team of 5 per country, 3 male, 2 female participants
  • method of composition of teams is an internal member affair, but should be fair and transparent
  • teams fight teams, not individuals, and will be classified and rewarded as such
  • there is no a priori gender separation, but individual athletes can opt in or opt out for ‘mixed’ or not in their individual fights. Fights will be composed accordingly by the competition organiser
  • display of technical competence in fighting is rewarded on the same par as scoring hits

Rapier:

  • a single team of 4 per country, 2 male, 2 female participants
  • method of composition of teams is an internal member affair, but should be fair and transparent
  • teams fight teams, not individuals, and will be classified and rewarded as such
  • there is no a priori gender separation, but individual athletes can opt in or opt out for ‘mixed’ or not in their individual fights. Fights will be composed accordingly
  • display of technical competence in fighting is rewarded on the same par as scoring hits

More details concerning rules are worked out presently. An international team of judges is being prepared by DDHF in cooperation with our Austrian and Hungarian member federations, to be able to implement the system in a well-prepared, competent manner. Details on format & rules will be communicated asap through a web page prepared by DDHF dedicated to the Cup, as well as through direct instructions to the Team Captains.
We are also preparing jointly a draft for a more general framework that might become the basis for future IFHEMA Cup organisers. This evidently will be subject to further discussion with our members on the basis of what we learn from our experiences this year.

Appropriately enough, given that IFHEMA is a country-based organisation, the IFHEMA Cup will thus be more akin to — if you indulge me in the tennis comparison — the HEMA “Davis Cup” than to Wimbledon.
It is in any case going to be something entirely new and tantalising! I therefore call our members to start preparations for composing their teams, and confirm to our Secretariat their will to participate and the name and email address of their Team Captains. This list will be communicated to the DDHF, which from then on will communicate with you directly. The contact person on the organisers’ side is Thomas Bögle, DDHF’s Vice-President, who will stay in touch with the participating teams through the unique channel of the respective Team Captains. The Secretariat will reach out to you soon to coordinate the collection of their names.

TO DO:

  • Confirm ASAP your Federations’ intention to participate in the IFHEMA Cup 2021
  • Assign a national Team Captain
  • Communicate both your intention and the name + email address of your Captain to the IFHEMA Secretariat. This list of names + contact details will be passed on ASAP by the Secretariat the DDHF, this years’ Cup host and organiser
  • Communicate directly with the organiser’s coordinator of the CUP 2021 for instructions (Thomas Bögle, Vice-President of DDHF)
  • Compose your teams
  1. Coming Working Year and General Assembly 2021-2022

A second point, on which more information will follow soon, are the plans for the coming Working Year, apart from the IFHEMA Cup. The first important point is the General Assembly. We shall start the revision process of IFHEMA’s By-Laws. The idea is to accommodate the membership criteria of IFHEMA to countries with more than one representative HEMA structure, rather than just one, as was requested by GA07.
Also, the decision process on some points should become less burocratic. The idea is not to vote on a change of By-Laws already this year, but to have an in-depth discussion about specific proposals, so as to see clearly the advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. The goal is to come with a final proposal for voting to the GA of 2022.

A third point is cooperation. IFHEMA is setting up with Roger Norling’s HROARR and with Roberto Gotti’s museum. Partners like those can help spread information and communication in the first case, and be a support for activities in the second area define in our By-Laws: cultural heritage. The plan is to set up a major cultural event in 2022 with the Gotti museum as a partner.

A fourth and final point is the Code of Conduct Commission. That has been somewhat delayed, but the plan is to get it back on track with a view to a draft proposal for the 2022 GA.

IFHEMA is determined to help bring new post-Corona perspective to the HEMA community by working as concretely as possible with and for its members. We count on your enthusiastic cooperation, and look forward to seeing you all in Munich for a splashy competitive IFHEMA Cup in a festive glow!

Sincerely yours,

Karin Verelst

Sportive or competitors’ licences

Dear friends,

Due to a enquiry from one of our member federations whose subject is mentioned above, we are to inform that, regarding “competitors’ licences”, IFHEMA issues no such documents, nor prescribes anything in this regard.
In case of need, please contact your national federation.

Hemathlon 2019

 

This is the major HEMA event in Greece that will be held in 2019. Lectures, workshops and tournaments.

Find the Hellenic Federation of HEMA Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/hemathlon

Visit Website https://hemathlon.com/

 

A brief word from our President

5… Five. A really nice round number. 5th GA, practically 5 years and IFHEMA does not only exist, but even managed to grow in numbers, through regretfully losing a member on the way. After Sweden joining last year and Russia increasing our ranks this year, we are 14 members strong. On the way we also managed to create an IFHEMA dedicated tournament, the IIC, that had its second event this year in Lisbon, and we are looking forward to not having such in every second or third year, but yearly: for 2019 Toulouse in France, for 2020 Győr in Hungary will be host of both the yearly General Assembly and the IFHEMA International Cup. Seeing the success of this year’s event in Lisbon with 130+ athletes I am very optimistic and looking forward visiting the venues.

 

Until then we continue our work. While Falko Fritz from Germany (former Vice President) and Matyas Miskolczi from Hungary (former Treasurer) are leaving the board after being part of this journey straight from the very beginning, we welcome new members in the person of Karin Verelst from Belgium (Vice President) and Filipe Martins from Portugal (Vice Secretary) to the present group of Wiebke Etzold from Germany (Secretary), Dieter Bachmann from Switzerland (Treasurer) and Gábor Németh form Hungary (President). Falko and Mátyás have left huge shoes to fill being solid and devoted members of the Executive Committee. They are stepping down with the firm promise, and I won’t doubt it for a minute, that they won’t disappear into the mist but stay around to offer support for the cause of IFHEMA in one way or another. I am grateful for all their hard work and contribution and really appreciate any help they can offer in the years to come. Thank you!!!

It is worth looking back at these 5 years, because they are not without achievements. But we also need to look forward and take those matters into account, that come as a kind of warning sign from the past years.

It is worth looking back at these 5 years, because it is not without any achievements, but we need to be even more forward looking taking those mattersinto account, that come as a kind of warning sign from the past years. In short: ensure, that IFHEMA is visibly, clearly working towards goals that are meaningful for its members and the HEMA community in general. However, we are looking at a chicken and egg problem: the members are hopeful (at least I assume), that IFHEMA will grow and fulfil its purpose. Yet, IFHEMA will not be growing simply because we wish it would.

 

I see three challenges for the coming years: 1) identify, how we can extend our reach and involve more groups into IFHEMA, one way or the other. Whether it comes through membership or meaningful, strategic alliances, it is somewhat secondary. 2) convince the member federations to dedicate more resources to IFHEMA: work in the commissions, bring our social media alive by sharing news and making noise, express expectations to which they are also willing to dedicate resources and allow our patronage, now only in name at least, for any event that is meant for HEMA public beyond borders. 3) engage the HEMA community: primarily those of our members, but not in an exclusive manner. I expect and partially experience, that there is scepticism towards IFHEMA: either people don’t understand, what IFHEMA was founded for and they don’t even care, or it is not actively promoted among or members.

 

What can IFHEMA do for you? For now, it is rather the case and please rather consider: For now, and in this situation, please consider: “What can I do for IFHEMA?” It is our kid and it’s still small. We need to nurture and help it grow so in the future it can really be the institution, that represents HEMA in all manner according to the values and goals that the HEMA community itself holds dear. Sure, it is cool to say, but sorry to bring it to you: none and nothing is born ready, not even you.

 

You are not yet there you say? In experience, in organizing, in whatever. Does not matter. We will never really be “there”, because there are always new goals to pursue. But we will definitely never get there if we don’t act on it.

 

You don’t have time? That I understand: we all have our family and our work to consider first, then our free time activities, our own club and own federation. I hope there is still some time there that you can offer to this cause. Or look for those, that are willing and can do and bring them on board.

 

You have doubts, concerns, dreams. Perfect! Please, share them, and do so in a constructive way. I have great ideas, but I would rather act on what is important for you. My task is not to bring my own dreams come true, unless they match that of the community.

 

I thank you, if you have been on board and you decided to stay. I thank you if you are only joining and want to be part of it. I applaud you, if you offer us your ideas, time, devotion and trust. I thank you, if you took the time to read this trough and you find your message within.

 

With this, I would like to wish all of you and your beloved ones Happy Christmas! May the New Year find you in joy and good health.

 

Stay Well!

Congratulations to the Italian historical fencing

We offer sincere congratulations to Associazione italiana Maestri d’Arme (AIMA) and Società di promozione dell’Arte dell’Armi (SPADA) for their success at promoting historical fencing (scherma storica) in the modern Italian society.
We were happy to read the news of SPADA becomming officially attached to the Italian Fencing Federation and of the AIMA successful bidding for the Italian Fencing Federation to recognize AIMA teachers and titles.
Furtmore, more congratulations are in order, because of the news that scherma storica will feature as the guest combat sport at the 2019 European Games as presented by the Italian delegation. We eagerly await further news in that regard.
We wish the organizers and all participants further success and much joy in their work.

The Executive Committee of IFHEMA

Statement from IFHEMA Executive Committee

IFHEMA upholds key values of transparency, good governance, responsibility and striving to contribute to better societies. These are a part of our mission statement and rules, which all members and offices have publicly committed to and on which they base their activities. We strongly encourage all HEMA practitioners to subscribe to them.
We firmly reject any form of discrimination based on gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, background, culture and ethnic origin. We reject every socially unacceptable, irresponsible and unethical activity, and condemn actions against human dignity.
HEMA originates from European history and traditions, but as a martial art, sport and modern concept, following the philosophy in spirit of which it was and is revived, HEMA is open for all and inalienable from anyone.

With friendly regards,
IFHEMA Executive Committee

Gabor Nemeth, President

Hungarian Championship 2018

Hungarian Longsword Fencing Federation (MHS) held its national championship in federschwert and padded longsword in Budapest.

22 fencers from four clubs registered to fight for the title in the discipline of the steel federschwert, while the padded longsword pools welcomed 21 fencers. After a day of hard and tense competition, managed by the expert MHS crew, the results list as below:

Federschwert:
1. András Módos (Kard Rendje)
2. Péter Regenyei (Ars Ensis)
3. Richárd Pávay (AULE)
4. Péter Faragó (Ars Ensis)

Padded longsword:
1. Máté Nagy (Ars Ensis)
2. Csaba Erdei (Ars Ensis)
3. Réka Gulyás (Ars Ensis)
4. Márton Kovács (Ars Ensis)

Congratulations to the winners and all participants of the championship!

The next tournament of the Hungarian Federation should be the Bicornio in August. More info to follow.

Message of the Executive Committee

Dear HEMA communities,

with our first short message we would like to present the newly elected Executive Committee for the period of the next two years. We are confident, the challenges ahead of us and how we will tackle them will offer a fair chance to evaluate our actual contribution in the coming years.

We would like to take the opportunity to welcome Portugal among the members of this young Federation. All signs indicate that we can be optimistic about the future steady growth of our ranks as countless federations – and not only in Europe – show interest applying for membership. Of course all these federations need to be aware, that we have strong, definite values, which we expect all members to respect and firmly uphold as their own.

For the remainder of the year, we ask all of you to pause a bit and consider how far we have already gotten since our foundation in 2014. Yes, there is still much to be accomplished, but we always have to find time to celebrate and appreciate what we have so far achieved.

With this we would like to wish all of you and your beloved ones good health and peaceful, blessed Holidays.

With friendly regards,
IFHEMA Executive Committee

Gabor Nemeth, President

Falko Fritz, Vice-President

Eugenio Garcia-Salmones, Secretary

Matyas Miskolczi, Treasurer

Dieter Bachman, Vice Treasurer

Third Session of the General Assembly of IFHEMA

Delegates of IFHEMA member federations shall convene in Hamburg on 3 December 2016 for the third session of the General Assembly.

Their mission is to represent their respective federations, so that they can build the future of their organization together.
The host of the event is the German IFHEMA member, DDHF, while the on-spot organization is managed by the well known local HEMA club, the Hammaborg.

The Executive Committee is in charge of the preparation of the Agenda, the key document for the General Assembly. As always, all preparations are undertaken in cooperation with the member federations and committees.