Representatives of the Institute of International Cooperation and the Institute of Sport and Physical Training of Penza State University performed on May 11 at the X International St. George Martial Arts Festival “For Faith and Homeland”.

The organizers of the festival were: the Government of the Penza Region, Penza Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church, Penza Theological Seminary, the Department of Religious Education and Catechesis of the Penza Diocese, the Institute of Regional Development of the Penza Region, Penza State University; Penza branch of Army General A.V. Khrulev Military Academy of Logistics, Russian Union of Orthodox Martial Arts, Ministry of Physical Culture and Sports of the Penza Region, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Penza Region, Ministry of Education of the Penza Region, International Students Association of the Penza Region, Association of Martial Arts of the Penza Region.

Representatives from 8 countries took part in the sporting event: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Egypt, Yemen, Morocco, India and the Russian Federation. More than 250 people from 13 clubs, sports associations and martial arts federations took part in the anniversary martial arts festival:

- sports association “Vityazi” of the Federation of Army Hand-to-Hand Combat of the Penza Region;
- OMON team of the Directorate of the Russian National Guard for the Penza region;
- international team of the Institute of International Cooperation, PSU;
- “Anyukai” club of the Penza regional public organization “Aikido Federation”;
- ITF Taekwondo Federation;
- Martial arts club “Rus”;
- Sports club of Penza State University;
- Regional sports public organization Federation of Eastern Martial Arts of the Penza Region;
- Club “Archangel”, Sosnovoborsk;
- Regional sports public organization “Muaythai Federation of the Penza Region”;
- Penza Regional Federation of WUSHU;
- School of Wushu ISHU-HO “The Art of Fire”, Kuznetsk.

The guests of honor of the event were: First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Penza Region Oleg Yagov; Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Housing, Communal Services and Construction of the Legislative Assembly of the Penza Region Ivan Nikolaev; Honorary President of the St. George Festival, President of the Kobudo Federation of St. Petersburg and the St. Petersburg Sports Federation of Oriental Martial Arts Sergei Dmitriev; Honorary President of the St. George Festival, Chairman of the Interdiocesan Commission for Physical Culture and Sports of the Moscow Metropolis of the Russian Orthodox Church, Co-organizer of the International Festival of Combat Sports and Martial Arts "Cup of Equal-to-the-Apostles Nicholas of Japan", Co-Chairman of the Russian Union of Orthodox Martial Arts Archpriest, 5th dan of Goju-ryu karate Archpriest Kirill Sokolov; First Vice-Rector of Penza State University Dmitry Artamonov; Director of the Chevalier Group (Chevalier Group), partner of Penza State University, Dr. Yuvraaj Solanki; Chairman of the International Students Association of the Penza Region Maqbol Adel Ali Omar, as well as presidents and chairmen of martial arts associations of Russia.

The event began with a prayer service to the Holy Great Martyr George the Victorious, which was performed by Metropolitan Seraphim of Penza and Nizhny Lomov on Cathedral Square. Metropolitan Seraphim of Penza and Nizhny Lomov noted that the purpose of such a large-scale event is to glorify the holy great martyr and show the results achieved by athletes in various types of martial arts.

The participants, organizers and guests of the X International St. George Martial Arts Festival “For Faith and Homeland” received a congratulatory letter from the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Anna Kuznetsova. Anna Kuznetsova, a native of Penza, emphasizes the importance of the festival, which promotes a harmonious combination of physical and spiritual culture, moral education and love for the Homeland, and expresses confidence that today’s holiday will become an unforgettable bright event for all its participants and spectators and will open new roads for young athletes. Special words of gratitude from Anna Kuznetsova were addressed to the mentors and coaches who lead young people to victories.

The opening ceremony of the festival began with a welcoming speech from the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Penza Region Oleg Yagov: “On behalf of the Governor of the Penza Region Oleg Melnichenko, I congratulate you on the tenth anniversary of the festival, I wish you further success and victories, happiness, health and prosperity. Personally, I would like to note that the festival has long become a significant cultural, sports and spiritual event in the life of the Penza region. Since 2022, on behalf of Governor Oleg Melnichenko, the festival has been held on Cathedral Square, the most beautiful square in our city. I would like to especially thank the coaches of our athletes. Ten years ago, no one thought that this festival would become international. And in 2024, representatives of 8 states will take part in it!”

The chairman of the festival's organizing committee is Gleb Sintsov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at Penza State University. “Holding such a festival is a good tradition that will last for many years. It is especially pleasant that international students take an active part in it. Our goal is to contribute to the creation of a tolerant youth student environment and the promotion of the idea of world peace,” emphasized Gleb Sintsov.

“Dear like-minded people and comrades-in-arms, allow me to convey to you greetings and bows from the St. Petersburg regional branch of the Russian Union of Martial Arts. Now such events are very important, because they prepare for service, for the defense of our country. Our Homeland now faces unprecedented challenges, and only through such events will we be able to educate our helpers and defenders. Thank you very much for being involved in martial arts and strengthening our country,” Sergei Dmitriev, Honorary President of the festival, Honored Master of Sports of Russia, delivered his welcoming speech.

A number of awards took place as part of the festival. Aleksei Volkov was awarded the gold honorary St. George Badge “For Faith and Homeland”, 1st degree. The silver honorary St. George Badge “For Faith and Homeland”, 2nd degree, was awarded to Sergei Lychagin. Archpriest Evgeniy Grigin (Club “Archangel”, Sosnovoborsk) was awarded the bronze honorary St. George Badge “For Faith and Homeland”, 3rd degree. The honorary St. George's Badge is awarded to athletes, politicians and public figures who have made a significant contribution to the development of martial arts.

After the official part, Penza residents and guests of the region became spectators of bright and dynamic performances of 13 clubs, sports associations and martial arts federations, which demonstrated the characteristic features of various martial arts schools, including the use of weapons: wushu, Muaythai (Thai boxing), Shotokan (oriental martial arts) martial arts), karate, tulle, aikido, taekwondo, hand-to-hand combat, sambo, judo, ancient Indian saber fighting, etc. The martial arts demonstration was alternated with performances by creative groups: the Domisolka vocal ensemble of children's music school No.1 and the Voices of Russia folk song ensemble.

The first performances were demonstrated by representatives of the sports association “Vityazi” and the OMON team of the Directorate of the Russian National Guard for the Penza Region. The international team of the Institute of International Cooperation of PSU presented two performances to the attention of the audience - students from India demonstrated saber fighting techniques.

“The sword in Indian is called talwar. A stunning dance with a melee weapon - a talwar. The traditional Indian saber in its homeland is called a symbol of valor and courage, and therefore, according to the owner, holding it in the hands is a special honor. The art of ancient Indian saber fighting is taught in his family from generation to generation,” said Nityarajsinh Solanki, a participant in the International St. George Martial Arts Festival “For Faith and Homeland”, a PSU international student from India.

The Anyukai Club showed in its performance the basic principle of Aikido - using the enemy’s strength against themselves. The Rus martial arts club presented the "tul" - a combination of attacking and defensive movements with elements of acrobatics. Representatives of the ITF Taekwondo Federation, the PSU sports club, the Penza Region Oriental Martial Arts Federation, the “Archangel” club (Sosnovoborsk), the Penza Region Muaythai Federation, the Penza Regional Wushu Federation and the “Art of Fire” school of Wushu Ishu-ho also demonstrated their skills and abilities "(Kuznetsk).

During the festival, all groups were awarded memorable gifts, diplomas and certificates.

The sporting event ended with a performance by the ethno-folk group “Vertograd” (Penza Culture and Leisure Center).