Celebrating the Martial Art of Aikido in Plovdiv

Aikido in Bulgaria made his first steps in 1985, when a group of 30 students began to practice in an organized form. The trainings were under the guidance of Bernard Boirie 5th Dan and his student Henrie Djombo 1st Dan. In 1990, Bulgarian Aikido Federation was registered and since then hundreds of instructors have been teaching every day in almost every city in the country.

One of these cities is the second biggest in Bulgaria – Plovdiv, which was founded by the father of Alexander The Great, Philippe. This is the reason why its ancient name was Philipopolis.

For the year of 2019, Plovdiv has been chosen to be the European Capital of Culture. Plovdiv 2019 – Focus Japanese Culture accepted projects that stand for and are connected with the Japanese Culture in Bulgaria.

One of the projects approved by Plovdiv 2019 is the International Aikido Seminar with Miyamoto Tsuruzo Shihan 8th Dan from Hombu Dojo, Tokyo, as the Ambassador of Aikido for Plovdiv 2019. It also counts the support of EU-Japan Fest, an organization that grants help for all European Capitals of Culture for the year and sponsorship from private local companies.

The seminar will be held in April 19th, 20th and 21st, in the town of Plovdiv, and will gather participants from all over the globe.

Aikido is a great way to show a part of the Japanese Culture and how it influences people all around the world and how it is influencing Bulgaria, especially Plovdiv, in the year it is the European Capital of Culture.

The popularity of Aikido has grown so much in this country that the Bulgarian Aikido Federation (BAF) along with the National Sport Academy (University with 6000 students) will start this year a unique program for Bachelor and Master degree in Aikido. BAF is happy to invite all Aikido practitioners who want to improve their aikido skills with academic sport approach, to take a look and, eventually, to apply for the programs.