George Zacharopoulos is studying and training in Historical European Martial Arts for more than 15 years a fondness for the German longsword and the Italian & Spanish rapier.

He is currently teaching HEMA at S.C. Academy of Hoplomachia , Marxbrüder Guild Hellas and Coriolanos HEMA Team. Provost of the HISTORICAL FENCING AFFILIATES and founder of the Athens Bartitsu Club 1900. Previous experience include Ninjutsu, Combined Chinese and Filipino Boxing (by Angelos Fasois), Sport Fencing, Sport Archery. Also certified Knife Instructor of the Reality Based Personal Protection system by Jim Wagner.

He has participated in HEMA events and taught workshops in Greece and abroad. Co-author (with Chrysovalantis Tampakakis) of the first book for HEMA in Greek, entitled “The Knightly art of the Sword” by Batsioulas Publications in 2011. His latest book, a translation in English of Philipp Müller’s “Theoretical and Applied introduction to Swordmanship” (ΘΕΩΡΗΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΑΚΤΙΚΗ ΕΙΣΗΓΗΣΙΣ ΤΗΣ ΣΠΑΘΑΣΚΙΑΣ) 1847 military sabre treatise is out by Fallen Rook Publishing. Member of HEMAC and secretary of the Hellenic Federation of Historical European Martial Arts.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.zacharopoulos.79
Academy of Hoplomacia: http://hoplomachia.gr/

LONGSWORD: Cover, Zwerch, Wrestle
We will start with the counter-warding from the Zuefechten. How do we approach our opponent by covering the line and then we will proceed to apply the same principle in Anbinden by moving and aligning our body and blade properly.
We will follow up with the Zwerchau , one of the most characteristic meisterhau of the Liechtenauer tradition and we will explore some tricks and tips beyond it’s standard use… zwerch with a twist…
Time permitted we will practice a few techniques of Ringen am Schwert mainly from the Hengen.
Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Equipment: Sword, mask, gloves

ITALIAN RAPIER – Nicoletto Giganti
In this workshop we will work a little bit on the basics – body mechanics, footwork, guards- of the Italian rapier fighting using as a guide the teachings of the Venetian maestro Nicoletto Giganti as laid out in his treatise “Scola, overo, teatro…” (1606) but we will focus more on various suggestions – diverse (artful) parries and counters, defense against cuts, close distance techniques (coming to grips) etc- from his “lost second book” published in 1608.
Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Equipment: Sword, mask, gloves, chest protector

Jerzy Miklaszewski started his 24 years of martial art experience with the first Polish branch of ITF (International Tae Kwon Do Federation), studying under Marek Lech, one of the precursors of the Polish Tae Kwon Do.

Jerzy has created an initiative called the Silkfencing team, which is developing even more, through scientific and practical research. His cooperation with many worldwide specialists has made his research and his knowledge develop, he is cooperating with many important organization, such as HEMA Alliance (he is the only member in Poland), National Museum in Kraków, Jagiellonian University Museum, Stowarzyszenie Miłośników Broni i Barwy, Jiu Jiutsu Union, Polish Sport Fencing Federation and many other institutions. His school is one of the only seven Polish schools that are in official cooperation with Polish Fencing Association. He is as well a member of Polish Knight Fighting Cadre, with which he achieved World Vice Championship in Armoured Group Fighting on IMCF. He has won many tournaments in countries like England, Poland, Scotland, Italy or even Australia. His unique research of the Polish Szabla has been brought by him to many places in the world, as he already conducted seminars in over 20 countries including Japan, England, Scotland, USA, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Australia, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Romania, Thailand, Ireland and of course Poland.

Since 2014 Silkfencing Team became a study group of the Meyer Freifechter Guild and a Pammachon organization and HEMA Alliance. In 2017 Silkfencing Team started a cooperation with ARMA-PL Kraków, creating Krakowska Szkoła Fechtunku (KSF), the biggest professional HEMA center in southern Poland and operated. In 2018 his research was published with a museum exhibition he co-authored „To Arms!” which presented not only HEMA to common people but also gave fencing practitioners insight into a very complex topics of saber history in Eastern Europe. With lots of analyzed treatises, manuals and with the experience verified by many different schools throughout the entire world, KSF team always learns, analyses and adapts, representing a young and ever evolving attitude towards life and understanding of changing environment.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jurek.jurcys

Karl Timlich’s System from 1796 “Abhandlung der Fechtkunst auf den Hieb zu Fuss und zu Pferde”
Born Czech, (Bohemia 1744) Karl Timlich was an Austrian cavalry officer, and later teacher of Kaiser Leibguard.
Being one of the first modern sabre fencing treatises I have studied. This one is very interesting, as TImlich is a little bit like Meyer, he presents a very diverse set of possible, for hm fencing is like a science, should be studied broadly. This approach allows a very diverse view presented in his research. This will be an introductory class, so people with no or full equipment and with or without HEMA experience are welcome.
Level: Beginner
Equipment: None

“The tricks of the trade” on Sabre
“The tricks of the trade” seminar would be a more advanced seminar, consisting of lots of curiosities you can see in many regional sabre fencing of eastern Europe. We will learn many interesting actions that are ascribed to Caucasian, Tartars, Ottomans, Hungarians, Russians and Poles that have been described or just even mentioned in many memoirs, treatises of the 16th to 18th century.
This class will be a more advanced one – therefore I would require at least a fencing mask and cup.
Level: Intermediate
Equipment: Mask, cup (groin protector)

From an early age Miroslav Lesichkov trained various martial arts and combat sports – unarmed and with weapons. He served in the Bulgarian Army, achieving the rank of junior lieutenant.

After several years of historical study and research, Ms. Lesichkov created School of Historical Swordsmanship “Motus” in 2003. It’s core curriculum is based on the Liechtenauer tradition and the arming sword, sword and buckler and longsword.

Since than he has presented numerous lectures, workshops and demonstrations in various national museums, educational institutions and other events. Mr. Lesichkov has also been a consultant and instructor for a historical film production – the Bulgarian film “Voevoda”. In 2015 he was invited as an instructor and taught two classes at the 10th edition of the Western Martial Arts Workshop (WMAW) in Racine, USA.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miroslavlesichkov.freifechter
MOTUS School of Historical Swordsmanship: https://www.facebook.com/MotusSwordsmanship/

I. Guard your Borders!
Wide distance cutting exercises with sword in one hand for developing correct body mechanics, natural body-weapon structure, flow and rhythm. During the workshop, we will learn a series of basic drills, applicable to a wide variety of one-handed cut-and-thrust weapons
Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Еquipment: Preferably arming sword, but any one-handed sword will do

II. Your priorities in the Bind: “Fuhlen” and the Word “Indes”
“Fuhlen”,“Soft”, “Hard” and “Indes” with sword in one hand. We will work over several simple examples of application of the paramount principles concerning the actions after the bind. The examples are applicable for a wide variety of one-handed cut-and-thrust weapons.
Level: Intermediate, Advanced
Equipment: Preferably arming sword, but any one-handed sword will do

Tom began fencing in 1967 at the age of 12 in Houston, Texas. Later he attended the Allen Military Academy and joined their team as a foilist. He continued fencing through his collegiate years and ultimately joined Salle Sebastiani where over time he was certified by Maitre Sebastiani as a Prevot d’Armes. Maitre Sebastiani sent him to Europe in 1979 where he studied under several Masters in France, Italy, and Austria. Tom remained in Austria for some time and worked with the Erste Fecht Union as he competed in both Sabre and Epee’ across Europe.

Tom continued to instruct over the years and ultimately opened his own Salle in New Jersey in 2010 at which time he commenced his studies in the Historical and Classical Arts. Tom’s Salle, “Salle Marquis de Lafayette” is closely affiliated with Academie Duello and Tom is certified to teach their Rapier and Longsword curriculum.

Tom is married to Zeynep whom he met whilst studying in Austria and through his Turkish family is now closely tied to Istanbul Tarihi Savaş Sanatları Birliği and is assisting in their development as an internationally recognized club.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tom.outwin.1
Salle Marquis de Lafayette: http://sallemarquisdelafayette.com/