Celebrating FIE World Fencing Day – "Do you know how to use that thing?”, “Yes – pointy end goes into the other man” (Mask of Zorro)

 

Saturday is FIE World Fencing Day! Huzzah!🙂

 

What does that mean? Whatever we want it to mean of course.

 

Maybe we could walk the streets of Lawson in fencing gear and have duels in front of the cafes! Or stage a performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor, as that contains the first textual use of ‘fencing’ as a term for sword play!

Maybe not.

Instead, let’s address eachother with just a little pomp and ceremony instead, as befits such an auspicious day. Here are some suggestions:

• starting a bout with a kindly ‘may the fencing be with you’ and its appropriate reply
• upon entering the hall say to the first person you encounter, ‘live long and fence’, to which they will of course respond, ‘peace and much fencing’
• perhaps a referee could begin a bout with ‘there may come a day when the courage of men fails, but it is not this day!’
• or even just walking about randomly greeting all and sundry with ‘happy fencing day, fence with honour’ accompanied with a florid bow.

And after fencing, what better way to spend a Saturday night than with more fencing – immersed in skill and danger and wit with a good movie! Top fencing films according to Joe (in no particular order):

• The Count of Monte Cristo (PG)
• With Fire and Sword (Polish) (MA15+)
• Captain Alatriste (Spanish) (MA15+)
• The Deluge (Polish) (PG)
• The Duellists (M)
• 1612 (Russian) (MA15+)
• The Mask of Zorro (M)
• The Day of the Siege: September eleven 1638 (The Battle of Vienna) (M)
• Rob Roy (M)

and of course,

• The Princess Bride.

Take your pick!  

 

So many options! Have fun!