Historical fencing with a combat sabre is our lost national legacy, yet it is the sabre that remains one of the most common national symbols in the Poles' national consciousness. The tradition of our fencing has been destroyed by occupants and the subsequent introduction of both the military and sport sabres. Nowadays not much is left of this beautiful symbol- most of the weapons were destroyed or modified and the practitioners of the original system lived only until the January Uprising of 1863.

On the occasion of the Independence Year 2018 and two hundred years since the beginning of the first fencing classes at the Jagiellonian University, the Jagiellonian University Museum along with Silkfencing and P.K. „Urwany Film” Foundation have taken on the task of organising a museum event, including an exhibition, workshop and a scientific session. It is also an attempt to establish a dialogue regarding the principles, sense and methods of of reconstructing the non- material legacy, which are the Polish methods of sabre combat. The preparatory work is being done by the Kraków Fencing School and the members of the  DESW ARMA-PL Association. The event is co- financed by the PZU Foundation.

The exhibition is being organized in the halls of the Jagiellonian University Museum along with an outside exhibition has been titled “To arms! Sabre fencing as the Polish National Legacy”. We intend to show the traditions ranging from the School of Chivalry and Collegium Nobilium, aspects of civic education, duels of honour, but first and foremost the techniques of sabre combat. We will show the differences between fighting with a combat, military and sport sabre. We will also show the causes and effects of placing Polish techniques in between the eastern sabre and the western sword and will also present the development of fencing techniques during the ages.

On the exhibition one will also be able to attend interactive and multimedia stations. Next to an album catalogue we are also preparing a compilation of papers from the science session.

How did our ancestors really fight?

For several decades the HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) movement is thriving across the world. Using few preserved sources, the techniques of historical fencing are being reconstructed- from Viking era swords to sabres, rapiers and smallswords. The idea is not only to reconstruct particular techniques, but also to test them in practice- during international contests, competitions and meetings.

The exhibition is opened from 31^st of August to 30^th of November 2018.

Monday 10-15

Tuesday 10-16

Wednesday 10-15

Thursday 10-16

Friday 10-16

Saturday 10-17

Sunday – closed