Culture in Burgundie: Difference between revisions

==Fencing==

===High fencing===

'''High fencing''' ([[Burgoignesc language|Burg]]: ''haut escrime'') holds a high level of popularity in [[Burgundie]] comparable to baseball, soccer, or football in other nations. It is seen not only as a sport but also as a discipline that cultivates focus, discipline, and strategic thinking. ''Haut escrime'' is not just a niche sport for the elite; it is accessible across all socioeconomic strata. It is a standard part of the physical education curriculum of most primary and secondary schools. From a young age, children are introduced to the basics of fencing, fostering a widespread familiarity with the sport and providing opportunities for early talent identification. [[Burgundie]] maintains a robust fencing infrastructure, with numerous clubs and training facilities throughout the country. Because of its historical connection to large industrial companies and latifundii in the late 19th century. Many local clubs retain the names of the companies or captains of industry to founded them. National and regional competitions are held regularly. The National Fencing Federation of Burgundie ([[Burgoignesc language|Burg]]:''Federation nationale d'escrime de Burgundie'') is the body that oversees the sport's development, organizing training programs, certifying instructors, and promoting fencing at all levels. It also administers the Academie National du Haut Escrime de Burgundie. [[Burgundie]]’s national teams consistently perform well in international competitions, bringing home medals in both individual and team events, especially in epee and saber. For fencers from impoverished rural communities in the [[Burgoignesc Upland]], fencing represents a viable pathway to social mobility, offering opportunities for advancement and a potential escape from poverty. The high cost of fencing equipment is often a barrier, particularly in these communities. To address this, many ''maestros'' utilize bamboo for training purposes, allowing aspiring fencers to develop their skills with readily available materials. This resourceful approach has been a fabled part of [[Burgundie]]’s consistent record of producing exceptional sabre fencers, many of whom hail from the [[Burgoignesc Upland]].

====History of the development of the sport of high fencing====

Fencing’s origins in [[Burgundie]] can be traced back to its practical application as a martial skill in the 16th century with some of the principalities of [[Maritime Dericania]] hiring ''maestros'' or creating fencing schools. Throughout its history, [[Maritime Dericania]] was known for its skilled swordsmen, and fencing was an essential part of military training, especially for nobles and officers. As firearms became more prevalent, the practical need for swordsmanship diminished, but fencing evolved into a refined art and a popular pastime among the nobility. Tournaments and exhibitions were held, showcasing the skill and artistry of fencers, gradually laying the foundation for its development as a spectator sport. This transition accelerated significantly in the 19th century, marked by the formal codification of the sport. After the unification of the [[Maritime Dericania]]n states into [[Burgundie]] and the abolishment of the nobility, fencing took a turn. The new capitalist-industrialist class, the "men of means" ([[Burgoignesc language|Burg]]: ''gens des mejans''), created company fencing clubs and would, on weekends, have exhibition matches against each other. Prior to this period, fencing practices and rules varied considerably across different regions of the [[Holy Levantine Empire]] and fencing schools. This lack of standardization hindered the sport's development and made competitions less consistent. The second half of the 19th century saw a concerted effort to address this issue, driven by a desire to create a more structured and universally understood sport. In [[1832]], an [[Holy Levantine Empire|Imperial]] commission, the Guild of Blades ([[Burgoignesc language|Burg]]:''le Guilde de las Espatas'') was established comprising of fencing maestros, representatives from various bourgeois fencing clubs, and members of the nobility with an interest in the sport, to develop a unified set of rules for competitive fencing in the [[Holy Levantine Empire]]. This commission drew upon existing fencing traditions across the [[Holy Levantine Empire|Empire]], incorporating elements from different schools of fencing while also introducing new regulations to ensure fairness and safety. The resulting codification covered all aspects of the sport, from the dimensions of the fencing strip and the specifications of the weapons to the rules governing scoring and bout procedure, called the Code of High Fencing ([[Burgoignesc language|Burg]]:''le Codex della Haut Escrime''). This standardization offered by the Codex facilitated more organized and consistent competitions but also contributed to the sport's growing popularity by making it more accessible and understandable to both participants and spectators. The establishment of the Academie National du Haut Escrime de Burgundie in [[1876]] and the publication of fencing manuals further solidified the codification process in [[Burgundie]], ensuring that the standardized rules and techniques were widely disseminated and practiced and that the maestros who taught them were all trained similarly.

===Common fencing===

[[File:Lame de cencha Navajas fighting.jpg|right|thumb|Traditional fighting posture with a cloak in the offhand as a defense and the lame de cencha in the fighting, back, hand.]]