The Tunisian resort island of Djerba will host an international training camp for the classical Chinese martial art of Ving Tsun in late April. The event, named Djerba Training Week, will take place from April 28 to May 3 under the guidance of a renowned master from Germany and will bring together practitioners from various countries across Europe, North Africa, and other regions.
Return to the Source: Authentic Principles of Ving Tsun
In an era when martial arts are often transformed into sports disciplines or lose their connection to original principles, Djerba Training Week offers participants an immersion into the fundamental foundations of the Ving Tsun system. The camp’s program focuses on what constitutes the essence of this Southern Chinese style: proper body structure, precise control of timing and distance, understanding the biomechanics of movement, and their practical application.
Participants will have the opportunity not merely to learn techniques, but to understand the internal logic of the system — those principles that make Ving Tsun an effective and rational method of self-defense. This approach is particularly valuable for instructors and serious practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of the art to which they have dedicated years.
The program is designed for representatives of various schools and lineages of Ving Tsun. The open format of the event allows participants to exchange experiences and find common principles behind the differences in terminology and methodologies of different organizations.
Bearer of Direct Ip Man Tradition
The instruction will be led by Sifu Göksel Erdogan — one of the few European masters certified by the Ving Tsun Athletic Association in Hong Kong. This organization holds a special place in Ving Tsun history: it was founded by Ip Man himself in 1967 — the legendary master who brought this style from the closed family schools of Foshan onto the international stage and trained an entire generation of outstanding fighters, including Bruce Lee.
Membership in VTAA signifies a direct connection to the source of the tradition and recognition of qualifications at the highest level. For Erdogan, this is not merely a formal status, but the result of a years-long journey that began in Europe and continued directly in Hong Kong — the birthplace of modern Ving Tsun, where he refined his mastery under direct students and heirs of Ip Man’s school.
Teaching Philosophy: Openness and Holism
Sifu Göksel’s methodology is distinguished by two key characteristics. First, it is openness to various Ving Tsun lineages. Erdogan does not confine himself within the framework of one organization and welcomes representatives of different schools at his seminars, helping them find common ground and understand the universal principles underlying all branches of this art.
Second, it is a holistic approach to studying the system. For him, Ving Tsun is not a collection of disparate techniques, but a unified logical system where each element is connected to others. Such understanding allows practitioners not to mechanically copy movements, but to consciously apply principles in any situation.
“The path to perfection lies through self-knowledge and is a continuous process”
— this philosophy of Sifu Göksel reflects the essence of his teaching approach. He does not offer quick solutions or secret techniques, but leads students to deep understanding through constant practice and reflection.
Global Teaching Activity
Today, Sifu Göksel Erdogan has himself become a mentor to instructors and masters on several continents. His seminars take place not only in Germany, where he is based, but throughout Europe, in Asia, and Latin America. The geography of his teaching extends from Hong Kong to Mexico, which testifies to the international recognition of his expertise.
Erdogan works with practitioners of the most diverse levels — from beginners to experienced instructors, helping each to advance on their own path. His ability to convey complex concepts in accessible language and create an atmosphere of sincere knowledge exchange makes his seminars sought after in the international Ving Tsun community.
Mediterranean Atmosphere for In-Depth Practice
The choice of Djerba Island for hosting the training camp is no coincidence. Located off the coast of Tunisia, this island combines rich history, comfortable climate, and developed infrastructure. White sandy beaches, the warm Mediterranean Sea, and authentic North African atmosphere create ideal conditions for an event that unites intensive physical and mental work with the possibility of complete recovery.
The week-long camp format allows participants to fully immerse themselves in the study of Ving Tsun without being distracted by everyday concerns. Daily training alternates with time for rest, reflection on acquired knowledge, and informal communication with like-minded individuals from different countries. Such an environment promotes not only physical progress but also a deeper understanding of the philosophical aspects of martial arts.
Tradition of International Gatherings
Djerba Training Week is not the first such event on the island. Over previous years, a tradition of conducting international seminars on Ving Tsun has formed here, attracting practitioners from Germany, Tunisia, Algeria, and other countries. Participants of past camps note not only the high level of instruction but also the special atmosphere of mutual respect and striving for perfection that unites people of different cultures and schools.
Such meetings play an important role in the development of the international Ving Tsun community, helping to overcome barriers between various organizations and lineages. When representatives of different schools train together under the guidance of an experienced master, they discover more similarities than differences, and this strengthens the unity of the tradition.
Practical Information
Registration for Djerba Training Week is open to all interested in an in-depth study of Ving Tsun, regardless of their organizational affiliation and current level of training. The event is particularly recommended for instructors and masters seeking to expand their understanding of the system and gain a fresh perspective on their own practice.
Detailed information about the program, participation conditions, and registration is available on the master’s educational platforms: vingtsun-university.online, vingtsun-trainer.de, and kungfu-trainer.com. These resources also contain additional materials about Sifu Göksel’s teaching methodology and the philosophy of his school.
For the world of martial arts, events like Djerba Training Week represent special value. In the age of globalization and rapid change, they help preserve and transmit authentic traditions while remaining open to dialogue and mutual enrichment between different schools and approaches.
