Reporter: Who is "Aikikai Romania"?
George Raicu: As stated in its statute and internal regulations, "Aikikai Romania" is a national organization that aims:
- to promote Aikido by following the tradition laid down the it's founder, O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba
- to popularize to study of the unity between technique and art in all forms of Japanese culture
- to develop relations with the Aikikai Hombu Dojo Foundation, the International Aikido Federation and with other organizations that promote Aikido as shown by the Hombu Dojo
In 1995, "Aikikai Romania" was officially recognized by the Aikikai Hombu Dojo Foundation and became member of the International Aikido Federation.
R: How did "Aikikai Romania" find its way towards Hombu Dojo?
G.R.:In 1992 I sent a letter to Hosokawa Shihan who taught Aikido in Italy asking him to point us to someone who could guide us towards Hombu Dojo. Hosokawa Shihan gave the letter to Giorgio Veneri Sensei who, in 1992, was the general director of the International Aikido Federation. In April 1992, Fulvio Sassi Sensei, instructor in Aikikai Italia was sent to Romania to teach an Aikido Seminar. Then, I was invited in Italy to get to know the Aikikai Italia organization, to train in many italian Aikido dojos and to participate in a few seminars taught by Tada Shihan and Fujimoto Shihan. In January 1993, Giorgio Veneri Sensei was invited to visit Romania. On this occasion he made us aware of the conditions we needed to respect in order to organize Aikido seminars lead by Hombu Dojo instructors.
R: Ce maestri au vizitat Aikikai Romania?
G.R.: Aikikai Romania a avut o activitate foarte bogata. In anii '90 am avut cel putin 3 stagii internationale pe an, stagii conduse de: Fujita Shihan, Yokota Shihan, Seki Shihan, Kobayashi Shihan. Dupa anul 2000 Aikikai Romania a fost vizitata de: Yokota Shihan, Kobayashi Shihan, Kanazawa Shihan, Kuribayashi Shihan, Fujimaki Shihan, Mori Sensei si altii. De fiecare data Aikikai Romania a depus toate diligentele pentru organizarea evenimentelor respective. Mai mult decat atat, de fapt ce mai important aspect, este acela ca am depus toate eforturile sa aratam evolutia calitativa a membrilor Aikikai Romania in practica Aikido.
R: Which Aikido masters visited Romania?
G.R.: Aikikai Romania was very active. In the 90s we had at least 3 international seminars per year. The seminars were led by: Fujita Shihan, Yokota Shihan, Seki Shihan, Kobayashi Shihan. After the year 2000, Aikikai Romania was visited by: Yokota Shihan, Kobayashi Shihan, Kanasawa Shihan, Kuribayashi Shihan, Fujimaki Shihan, Mori Sensei and others. Every time Aikikai Romania went out of it's way to ensure the proper organization of these events. More importantly, we did everything to show the progress our student are making in their study of Aikido.
R: What was the evolvement of Aikikai Romania on a national level?
G.R.: In the '90s I traveled throughout Romania to promote Aikido and our organization. The result of this activity was that by October 1998 dojos were open in Timisoara (administered by Martin Dan Calin), Focsani (Viorel Burlan), Arad (Iulian Prepelici), Cluj (Dorin Marchis), Iasi (Mihai Cozmei), Resita (Cristian Herman), Constanta and Buzau (Florin Burhala), Lugoj and Brasov.
R: What plans are there for the future?
G.R.: We plan to organize Aikido conferences, demonstrations and Aikido seminars; to provide support for all dojos that request guidance in Aikido practise.
