Germans Showcase Arnis Skills in Berlin

Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega (fourth from left) with Vice Consul Alvin Malasig (third from left) and members of the Deutscher Arnis Verband e.V. proudly display the Philippine and German flags. (Berlin PE photo)

BERLIN 21 October 2019 – Intermittent rain did not stop the 30 members of Deutscher Arnis Verband, e.V. led by its President, Sven Barchfeld, from showcasing their skills in the Filipino martial art of arnis at Breitscheidplatz on 28 September 2019.

The all-German group of female and male arnisadores (arnis practitioners) from different parts of Germany displayed various fighting techniques, using wooden sticks and with bare fists, during the public demonstration. 

Proving that arnis is suitable for all ages, the organization’s oldest, 73 years old and youngest, 13 years old members also did a special demonstration. Barchfeld and the group’s Chief Instructor, Dieter Knüttel, on the other hand, impressed the public with a one-on-one demonstration of more advanced techniques. 

Interested members of the public were also taught simple fighting techniques.

In her message during the special dinner organized by the Embassy after the demonstration, Ambassador to Germany Ma. Theresa Dizon-de Vega expressed appreciation for the group’s dedication to the sport, and for lending their time and skills to promote it in Germany.

The event was part of the Embassy Sports Diplomacy and Martial Arts Day celebration, which included a carbo-loading dinner for Filipino participants in the 2019 Berlin Marathon.

Arnis is an indigenous Filipino martial art and is considered a national sport in the Philippines. Also known as kali or eskrima, arnis emphasizes weapons-based fighting style, but it also includes several open-hand, weaponless techniques.

There are around 1,600, mostly German, arnisadores all over Germany. 

Follow the Embassy’s Facebook page and Instagram account (@PHinGermany) to watch the soon-to-be-released video of the public demonstration. END 

A member of the public learns weaponless techniques from Chief Instructor Dieter Knüttel. (Berlin PE photo)

Members of Deutscher Arnis Verband, e.V showcases their skills in arnis. (Berlin PE photo)

For more information, visit  https://www.berlinpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.de or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGermany.