(Macao,January 22, 2013) – The Venetian®
Macao
organised its second community activity for its visiting Shaolin warrior monks,
who are performing World’s Shaolin Temple
at the Venetian Theatre until January 26. The integrated resort invited the Macao
Shaolin Martial Arts Culture Association to host the world-renowned kung fu
practitioners Tuesday at the association’s education centre in Macao, a week after successfully organising a similar event
with local youth from another martial arts group.
The integrated resort is taking the opportunity provided by the Shaolin warrior monks’ short-term stay
in Macao to
allow more local martial arts enthusiasts to experience first-hand the
legendary Shaolin Kung Fu and the essence of traditional Chinese martial arts
up close. The Venetian Macao aims to play a
role in promoting one of the most respected Chinese martial traditions to Macao and the world,
setting another example of the company’s ongoing effort to facilitate cultural
exchange.
Fifteen warrior monks from Henan province’s renowned Shaolin Temple Warrior Monk
Training Base met with 50 members from the
Macao Shaolin Martial Arts Culture Association, aged 30 and above, who have
been mainly practicing qigong (a practice of aligning breathing and movements
with the goal of enhancing one’s health and calming the mind) and taolu (a
Chinese martial arts practice that gradually builds up a practitioner's
flexibility, internal and external strength, speed and stamina, and teaches
balance and coordination).
The warrior monks introduced to their local peers their background, the Shaolin Temple and their daily routines at the
temple’s training base. Meanwhile, the local martial artists talked about their
association and what their training pattern was like. Each side also gave a
kung fu demonstration at the end of the event. The sharing session was a great
success in facilitating the exchange of ideas, knowledge and culture of Chinese
martial arts between the two places, providing an opportunity for the local
community to become further engaged in this important cultural initiative.
The monks participating
in Tuesday’s exchange are showcasing to Macao
their world-famous Shaolin Kung Fu at the Venetian Theatre between January 9
and 26, 2013, with performances of World’s Shaolin Temple. Recognised as the cradle of Chinese kung fu and the
origin of Zen, the Shaolin Temple is located on Mount
Song, one of China’s Five Great Mountains, and has a profound and
extensive cultural history. Its Warrior Monk Training Base follows the doctrine
of Zen Buddhism and chooses students and grants graduation in a very strict way.
Bringing this world-class cultural performance to Macao
ispart of The Venetian Macao’s long-term effort
to contribute to the city’s development into one of Asia’s top entertainment destinations, and a world centre of tourism and
leisure.
Founded in 2005, the Macao Shaolin Martial Arts Culture Association aims at
promoting Shaolin kung fu and its culture in Macao, to cultivate young people’s
self-discipline and teamwork spirit. It has over 200 members from Macao, and its 12
instructors all originate from the Shaolin Temple Warrior Monk Training Base.
The instructor-in-chief of the association’s education centre, Xi Yan Ting,
started practicing Chinese martial arts in his childhood and furthered his
studies at the renowned Shaolin Temple.
The Venetian Macao arranged the
previous Shaolin community activity on January 14, with around 20 young athletes and representatives from the Macao
Worker’s Association of Martial Arts and Physical Education interacting with 14
Shaolin warrior monks at the Macao Federation of Trade Unions
Workers Stadium, sharing valuable ideas and kung fu training techniques.
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About The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Opened in 2007, The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel is Macao's first integrated resort featuring stunning
replicas of the famous canals and architectural icons of Venice, Italy.
The Venetian Macao features 3,000 suites, 1.2 million square feet (111,000
square metres) of convention and meeting facilities as well as a 15,000-seat
CotaiArena™ designed for world-class sports events and electrifying
entertainment. The Venetian Macao is also home to the unique, 1,800-seat luxury
Venetian Theatre, hosting the best in international and Chinese entertainment;
more than 30 renowned restaurants; MALO CLINIC Health & Wellness; the
incredibly fun QUBE indoor playground and more than 300 retailers at Shoppes
Grand Canal. Outdoor recreation areas include swimming pools and cabanas and a
mini-golf course.