Wuhan, October 12 (Xinhua) -- At about 9 o'clock in the morning of the 12th, in front of the main hall of the Yuxu Palace in Wudang Mountain, thousands of white-shirted warriors of different nationalities and skin colors walked onto the podium and kicked off the conference with a set of collective Taijiquan performances.
This is the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Wudang Taiji Conference. More than 1,400 athletes, more than 500 experts and scholars, and representatives of wushu associations from 45 countries and regions around the world participated in the event, and audiences around the world witnessed it through online live broadcast.
While waiting, Alan · Kavanagh from Ireland was still rehearsing with his teammates. "My teammates and I have been preparing for this conference for two months." He said, "I used to be under a lot of mental pressure, but after 7 years in Wudang Mountain, the Tai Chi culture changed my thinking and lifestyle, allowing me to see heaven and earth, see all beings, and recognize myself." ”
This year marks the 600th anniversary of the completion of the ancient buildings of Wudang Mountain. As the world's holy place of Taoism and the birthplace of Tai Chi culture, Wudang Mountain has attracted Taoist culture lovers from all over the world to climb and practice for hundreds of years. Today, the influence of Wudang martial arts and culture is being further enhanced through the Internet. According to statistics, at present, hundreds of millions of people in more than 150 countries and regions around the world are practicing Taijiquan, more than 80 countries and regions have established Taijiquan organizations, Wudang Wushu Association has established 34 overseas branches around the world, and about 30,000 foreigners come to Wudang Mountain to practice martial arts every year.
Tai Chi culture contains the core concepts of "unity of nature and man" and "Taoism and nature". Wang Zhonglin, Governor of Hubei Province, said in his speech at the opening ceremony that Hubei will adhere to cultural empowerment, make every effort to shape new advantages of civilization integration, vigorously promote the in-depth development of Taiji culture and tourism industry, and accelerate the construction of a world Taiji cultural heritage place and a world cultural tourism destination.
The World Wudang Tai Chi Conference is a comprehensive festival based on the two well-known cultural and tourism IPs of "Wudang Mountain" and "Tai Chi", integrating sports events, cultural tourism, theoretical research, and economic and trade activities. The conference lasted from the 12th to the 14th, with the theme of "Wudang Taijiquan Dialogue with World Civilization", and was divided into five sections: the 8th World Taijiquan Health Conference, the 2nd National Wudang Boxing Exchange Competition, and the "Taiji to the World" cultural exchange.
"Holding the 2024 World Wudang Taiji Conference is a powerful measure to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of Wudang Taiji culture and promote the construction of a world-class cultural tourism destination in Wudang Mountain." The relevant person in charge of the organizer of the conference said that the event will further increase the promotion and popularization of Tai Chi culture, promote the exchange of Chinese and foreign martial arts, and continue to polish the international business card of Wudang Mountain.