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Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 3:08 am
by nicklinjm
Hey all,

Pretty sure anyone who has been around on these boards long enough will have heard of Jarek Szymanski - his website, China from Inside is (IMHO) one of the best resources on the web for the history and practice of TCMA, especially for the northern internal arts like Xinyi and Bagua.

I have been working together with Jarek over the last few months on recording some of his experiences in China back in the 90s - how he came to end up living in China, his experiences investigating the history of various CMA, etc.

I have posted the first part of the interviews on my website: http://wulinmingshi.com/2018/04/30/interview-with-jarek-szymanski-part-1/

It is a work in progress, and obviously any and all errors in the text are mine, would welcome feedback from fellow RSFers!

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 4:28 am
by Trick
Enjoyed it. Since I myself also born in mid 60's I recognize the similar development of East Asian MA availability in Sweden...Interesting that one of the early guys teaching(jujutsu) in my hometown was from Poland, among things he taught was throwing razor blades.....

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 6:22 am
by littlepanda
nicklinjm,

I found both yours and jarek's websites excellent source of infomartion for cma's. thanks a lot

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Mon Apr 30, 2018 9:23 am
by Greg J
Great interview. Loved the part where he said 170 people showed up on his first day teaching. :o

Can't wait to read the rest.

Take care,
Greg

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 12:11 am
by nicklinjm
@Tom, Jarek and I get on quite well, have always said to him he should put out a book about his experiences as he met a lot of the older generation of masters, both famous and not so famous. The interviews are basically just a formalised version of some of the chats we have been having, hope people get something out of them!

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Tue May 01, 2018 9:39 am
by lineofintent
Well done Jon, this is long awaited and no doubt full of fascinating anecdotes!

Thanks for the time and effort to document Jarek's experiences.

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Fri May 04, 2018 3:18 am
by middleway
Awesome! His site was a go too resource many moons ago.

Thank you for getting the interview and look forward to the next instalment

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Fri May 11, 2018 3:35 am
by nicklinjm
Hey guys, part 2 is now up here: http://wulinmingshi.com/2018/05/11/interview-with-jarek-szymanski-part-2/.

If there are any burning questions you'd like me to ask Jarek, feel free to drop me a PM :)

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Sat May 12, 2018 6:16 pm
by edededed
Awesome series, keep them coming!

Reminders of a more simple time, years ago!

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Sun May 13, 2018 9:06 pm
by edededed
Also, I'd love to hear more details/anecdotes about those guys that Jarek trained with back then (Xin Litian, etc.). ;)
Would also be interesting to know more about their systems that they taught.

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Tue May 15, 2018 8:47 pm
by nicklinjm
Sure, will definitely try and draw him out on the actual material he trained with his teachers!

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Tue May 29, 2018 8:01 pm
by nicklinjm
Hey all - part 3 of the interview series with Jarek is up!

See link below: http://wulinmingshi.com/2018/05/29/interview-with-jarek-szymanski-part-3/

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Wed May 30, 2018 1:35 am
by edededed
Yay! Another great part.

Reminds me of my first visit to Beijing in 1997 - I was only there for the summer, but still - I kind of wish I had tried to meet more people, etc. when I was there!

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Wed May 30, 2018 2:37 am
by Finny
Fantastic work - many thanks Nick and Jarek, for the interview and all the other content. China from the inside was together with eF always one of the online greats..

Re: Interview series with Jarek Szymanski

PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 2:45 am
by nicklinjm
Hey all - Part 4 of the interview series with Jarek is now up. In it he discusses his visits to Shaolin Temple and Wudang mountain in the early 90s, as well as thoughts on what is/was being taught there. Should be an interesting read for forum members, especially if you practice an art related to those two places!

Follow the link here: http://wulinmingshi.com/2018/06/12/interview-with-jarek-szymanski-part-4/