Sports and Leisure
The first summer aikido seminar, entitled "Aikido – Sports and Leisure," took place in Bosco Gurin (Italian Switzerland). It was organized by the Ticino Ki Aikido Association from Balerna together with the Ki Aikido Athletic Association from Novara during the week following the Ferragosto holidays and was jointly led by Sensei Bruno Maule and Sensei Maurizio Volpe, both 6th Dan, both residing in Novara, Italy.
The idea of offering aikido practitioners the opportunity to participate in a summer seminar south of the Alps before the annual courses resume in September had been around for a long time. This also gave families the opportunity to accompany aikido practitioners and enjoy a short vacation in the mountains.
Accommodation
It was therefore necessary to structure the seminar so that the afternoons would be free. These could be used for excursions and other activities, or simply to dedicate the afternoons to "dolce far niente" at the end of the summer season. All this, of course, relying on the usual good weather that usually prevails in Ticino. But it was also necessary to wait for the right moment. Although the idea had been conceived long ago, it was necessary to wait for the completion of the renovation work on the Pometta and Don Bosco houses. This happened at the end of 2006.
Organisation
The author of this lines spent several months organizing this project, together with Andrea (for transportation), Govert and Italia (for wine purchases), Bernhard (for IT support), and Marisa from the Amos Center in Novara.
During this entire period, it was necessary to:
- Identify all agreements with the various operators of the facilities to be used (Scuola Montana Balerna, Hotel Walser, Hostel Giovanibosco)
- Agree on the rental of the van to be used to transport the tatami
- Prepare a cost estimate
- Sign the various contracts and make the corresponding deposits
- Conduct several on-site visits to inspect the facilities and evaluate all aspects in order to optimize the organization and use of the spaces and thus offer the best possible service to the participants
- Arrange several excursions beforehand to be able to offer interesting excursions.
- Organization of the "hotel sector" office: arrivals and departures, assistance with meals and overnight stays, invoicing and final settlement.
Experiences
Based on the experience of this first seminar, we can say that organizing the next one will certainly be easier. The IT basis exists, and many details can be clarified without the need for an on-site review.
The excellent relationships we had with those responsible during this initial organization created a climate of trust that enabled us to work together optimally.
The seminar was a first not only from an organizational perspective, but also with regard to the choice of location (Southern Alps, Switzerland). There were many unknowns, and it was difficult to say whether it would be successful: Well, yes, it was a success in terms of participation!
Bosco Gurin
But let's return to the small village of Bosco Gurin, a handful of old stone and wooden houses in the Walser style. It lies at 1,506 meters above sea level, making it the highest village in the canton of Ticino. It can look back on a seven-century history: as early as 1253, Bosco Gurin was an independent municipality with its own mayor.
The inhabitants (currently around seventy) are mostly descendants of the Walser colonizers and, in addition to Italian, naturally also speak Gurin German.
Thanks to significant investments, Bosco Gurin has developed into a respected and popular winter sports center in recent years.
The village is situated in a natural amphitheater, almost entirely surrounded by pastures, coniferous forests, and a ridge of peaks and rocks, some of which are partially snow-covered even in summer.
Balerna and Bosco Gurin
To reach Bosco Gurin, take the Vallemaggia immediately after Locarno and, from Cevio, drive up a narrow, winding road that climbs the slopes of the steep Val Rovana. The eponymous stream flows through its valley floor, flowing further downstream into the Maggia River, which in turn flows into Lake Maggiore in Locarno.
A few decades ago, the municipality of Balerna bought two old houses in Bosco Gurin with the intention of hosting a mountaineering school, ski courses, and a summer camp for schoolchildren. For the time, this was a groundbreaking venture. Very few municipalities can boast such good fortune!
It's safe to say that over the past 30 years, all of Balerna's primary school students have stayed at Bosco Gurin, and many cultural and sports clubs have had the privilege of traveling to Bosco to organize courses.
The municipality of Balerna has always been attentive to the needs of the local population and, through the management of the schools, has also given our association the opportunity to organize the first Aikido seminar in the Pometta and Don Bosco houses.
Approval
So it happened that, on the occasion of the opening of the new dojo at the Amos Center in Novara in January 2007, the program for the seminar planned for Bosco Gurin was presented to our doshu Yoshigasaki, who welcomed it and recommended it to the numerous participants.
Perhaps some people were surprised by this boldness or novelty. The presentation certainly hit the mark. In the following months, registrations continued to grow, exceeding expectations, and it was announced that the available places had unfortunately been exhausted.
In fact, almost sixty people came to Bosco Gurin to participate in this intensive week on the theme of "Aikido – Sport and Leisure," a little unusual and also a little adventurous!
The Seminar
The seminar began on Sunday morning, August 19, 2007, at 8:30 a.m., after a brief welcoming speech and the presentation of a typically Swiss "mascot" to the two senseis for protection and as a reminder of the event: a stuffed cow with a red Swiss cross.
On the tatami laid out in the large hall of the Giovanibosco Hostel (160 m²), around forty aikidoka dedicated themselves to the study of tsuzukiwaza techniques under the direction of Sensei Maurizio Volpe, and to the study of the bokken, tanto, and jo, as well as five new "suburi," under the direction of Sensei Bruno Maule.
The specialized program continued every morning from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and captivated the attention of the participants, who devoted themselves to it with commitment and great joy. Even Dario, Max, and Camilla, our very young aikidoka, were on the tatami to compete with the adults!
The instruction from our two senseis was truly outstanding!
Free Time
In the afternoon, everyone was free to spend their free time as they wished; the dojo was always open and available to anyone who wanted to go through the exam program or simply practice Aikido.
We spent a few evenings watching old films featuring founder O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, which refer to various moments in his life, and Sensei Koichi Tohei from the time when he developed the concept of KI. Zatoichi, of course, was also there...
To satisfy the participants' leisure interests, a table football tournament was organized, which kept the group busy for three very lively evenings at the Giovanibosco Hostel.
During the bad weather of the first few days, some body therapy sessions were held for the well-being of our athletes by Paola Massacesi, Harriet, and Govert Erkelens, all qualified therapists.
Bad Weather
In fact, the weather began to deteriorate at the beginning of the week, offering "tempo da lupi" until Thursday morning, when the fog suddenly lifted and the sun reappeared, revealing a view of the magnificent natural scenery: the intense green of the pastures in various shades, the gray of the rocks, contrasting with the brilliant white of the fresh snow in the sun's rays, a blue and crystal-clear sky; a light, rather cool breeze gently stirred the treetops. A stream murmured nearby, the waterfalls swollen with the new water.
The excursion to the Basodino Glacier planned for Wednesday could unfortunately not take place due to the low temperatures and the uncertainty of the high-altitude weather: no problem, it has been postponed until next year!
Mogno and Fusio
Eager to still make an excursion, the group met in front of the Hotel Walser on Friday morning, as the sun began to spread its rays and warmth.
The day seemed ideal for an excursion to Val Lavizzara and a visit to the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Mogno, rebuilt according to a design by architect Mario Botta. This was followed by a stop for an aperitif in Fusio, the last tiny, ancient, and evocative village in the valley.
Foroglio
For lunch, Mr. Martino from the La Froda restaurant in Foroglio, in Val Bavona (another enchanting spot), welcomed us to enjoy an excellent plate of pizzoccheri.
The impressive waterfall, located just a few hundred meters from the restaurant and spreading its charm throughout the surrounding area, left no one indifferent!
We'll be back! And we'll definitely visit Mr. Martino again, if only to taste his local cured meats and enjoy a good glass of red wine on the way back from Basodino. The road to the glacier passes through Foroglio. How could you resist?
Sundial
That day, our friend Yves, a sundial expert, suggested the group to stop at Cerentino — another handful of houses away — to admire two ancient sundials painted on the church facade.
Yves, a real expert, explained the concept of timekeeping and the accompanying painted symbols, which were difficult for us laypeople to decipher.
It was a truly interesting explanation, and we thank him wholeheartedly for his ability to bring us closer to such an ancient yet modern culture!
Kitchen
There's still much to tell about this unforgettable week at Bosco Gurin. Let's not forget, for example, our excellent chefs: Gabriele, Giuliana, and Monique.
Throughout the week, we were served delicious meals prepared with love: everything was delicious!
We thank them for the remarkable work they did in catering for our group: we were truly unusually numerous at the meal at Casa Pometta!
I would also like to remember the moments I spent taking turns with them in the kitchen drying the dishes, and their smiles in return for our cooperation.
Grossalp
The seminar ended at noon on Saturday, August 25, 2007. We said an emotional farewell to our friends, who began their journey home. A warm and clear day invited a small group (a dozen people) to stay in Bosco until the next day.
After the tatami had been dismantled and stowed in the van, and the rooms were clean and tidy, there was still time for a swim in the river or a short trip to the Grossalphütte, where we climbed the forest path and came down for dinner. And so it happened.
Sunday
Sunday morning greeted us with glorious weather. After breakfast and packing our bags, we locked up the Pometta and Don Bosco houses.
We decided to climb up to the Grossalphütte again, this time by cable car (Moreno generously paid for the ride for everyone).
Italia and Paola stayed in the village and waited for our return. A magnificent spectacle unfolded before our eyes: overlooking the village of Bosco Gurin and the valley from above, we were suspended from a steel cable. Words cannot describe the images and emotions!
Conclusion
We descended the mountain in the early afternoon, cooled our feet in the stream, and enjoyed the last hours of sunshine in Bosco Gurin, sitting on the large boulders.
Reluctantly, we started the return journey, but when we reached the Grotti di Avegno, we took a break and enjoyed a delicious snack of local cold cuts and cheese.
When we arrived in Balerna, the tatami mats were unloaded and stowed away in their storage room, but for us, the day wasn't over yet: Harriet and Govert invited us to their home in Stabio to end the evening with an excellent plate of pasta and mushrooms—from Bosco Gurin, of course. It was clear to everyone that there would be another summer seminar in Bosco in 2008!
I'm thinking of each of you with affection and holding you tightly and lovingly in my arms.
Yvette
