Steven Seagal at the RUSSIA EXPO: "Martial arts are a path to self-improvement and helping your country"
On June 2, Pavilion No. 57 "Education/Decade of Science and Technology" in the lecture hall of the "Knowledge" Society hosted a panel session titled "Social Mission and Development Strategy of Traditional Martial Arts" as part of the "Aikido Gathers Friends" festival. Participants discussed the social mission of Eastern martial arts and the role of mentorship in the development of martial arts.
"Martial arts are more than just an art. They are a
path of development that leads us to become morally purer and physically better
prepared. It is a path that leads you to become stronger and able to help
yourself and your world, your country," emphasized actor, special
representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for
humanitarian relations with the USA, and aikido master Steven Seagal.
He noted that he had lived in Japan for a long time and
learned a wise proverb there — "It's better to find your true teacher than
to spend ten years studying with different instructors." "A teacher
is a master, a guru, a mentor. You can use any word, but the essence is the
importance and significance of a teacher and mentor for the one who
trains," said Steven Seagal, speaking at the panel session.
Sergei Burlakov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee
on Physical Culture and Sport and President of the Para-Karate Federation,
explained that the specificity of a mentor in martial arts lies in the phrase
"do as I do," rather than "do as I say."
"My greatest achievement, I believe, is the ability to
wake up every day and go to bed at night feeling like a real man, confirming my
status as a man through deeds and actions. And the most important thing on this
path is to live up to the trust placed in you," concluded Sergei Burlakov.
Viktor Sosnovsky, First Deputy Executive Director of the
National Aikido Council of Russia, emphasized that interest in Eastern martial
arts in Russia is enormous — about five million people practice them. He also
congratulated the festival's distinguished guest on a recent award: "I
would like to congratulate Steven Frederic Seagal on the state award of the
Russian Federation — the Order of Friendship, which was presented to him by our
President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin the day before yesterday. Thank you for
the communications, the connections, and the humanitarian cooperation that is
developing with Steven's participation. We are very pleased to see you at our
event."
Prominent state and public figures evaluated projects presented by 112 contestants.
The Mashuk Knowledge Centre is an All-Russian centre for training enlightening and managerial personnel in the fields of education, youth policy, and pedagogic work. It is located in the city of Pyatigorsk, at the foot of Mount Mashuk.
The application period is open until 5 December.
