14.12.2021 – 08.36 – Next Saturday 18 December 2021 the Triestina Gymnastics Society (SGT) will inaugurate in the spaces of the Sports Museum (2nd floor, adjacent to the Secretariat) the exhibition “Between the lion and the dragon. The birth of martial arts in Trieste “. The exhibition will deal with the history of oriental martial arts in SGT, from the timid beginnings in 1910, to the pioneering years of 1960-70, to the definitive affirmation of Judo, Karate and Kendo in the last thirty years. A “local” story, typically Trieste, but with a universal meaning: that via “of the Spirit”Which has always characterized the oriental martial arts.
The inauguration will take place on Saturday 18 December 2021, 11 am, with reservations required a [email protected]
The Super Green Pass (vaccine or certificate of recovery). The entrance is from the covered parking of the registered office, at via della Gidanza 47.
The exhibition will then be open, with free admission, during the opening hours of the Museum, i.e. Friday 15-30-18.30 and Saturday 9-12.
When did the first encounter between Western and Eastern martial arts take place?
In other words, between the lion of the SGT and the dragon of the east?
How was it possible that SGT became one of the first Italian sports associations to practice Judo in the 1960s?
What connects Bartitsu – Sherlock Holmes’ mysterious martial art – with modern Judo?
These and other questions will try to answer the exhibition “Between the lion and the dragon. The birth of martial arts in Trieste ”, soon to open in the SGT. The exhibition aims to investigate the history of oriental martial arts in gymnastics: starting from the beginning of the 20th century and from the first experiments, halfway between Judo and Greco-Roman wrestling; continuing with the second post-war period and the arrival of Judo in SGT; reaching the years of City of Trieste Trophy and of the first, historic triestine victories. Without forgetting the timeless charm of Kendo, compared with Western fencing; the “strength” of Karate and the wisdom of Aikido: in the name of an exquisitely Triestine East. Among the exhibits on display, coming from the social archive, there are early 20th century Japanese-themed scores, cups and mid-century photographs, rich collections of medals and posters of the Trieste that was once.
Founded on May 24, 1972 by Mr and Mrs Viatori, the Sports Museum of the Triestina Gymnastics Society it is among the oldest in Italy. Starting from its foundation in 1863, the Museum traces the history of SGT, intertwining sport with the great history of Trieste and Italy. In fact, SGT still remains the second oldest sports club in Italy, preceded only by its sister company in Turin.
Subjected to restoration in autumn 2019, the Museum was reopened to the public again and, from March 1, 2021, inaugurated the first of a series of exhibitions: “The Dante ‘Adriacus’: a history of the Risorgimento”, under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture. An exhibition that will now give way to the new exhibition “Between the lion and the dragon”.
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