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=== FROM THE ORIGINAL CAPTION ==="The art of fencing, which was already highly cultivated by the Greeks and Romans and then especially in the Middle Ages, has a high educational value, both physically and mentally. It teaches accuracy, speed and resistance on the one hand and quick-wittedness, judgement and a purposeful will on the other. It requires perfect physical fitness, control of reflexes and is an excellent character training. Fencing combines almost all the educational qualities of sport: joint work of mind and body, development of all muscle groups coupled with harmonious beauty. Fencing increases courage and self-confidence, promotes presence of mind, lightning-fast thinking and action - all factors that are of crucial importance in practical life!" Based on this realisation, the former army fencing instructor Ernst Haueter founded the fencing courses for children in Bern, Lucerne, Solothurn and Aarau, which began in February 1956. (ar)