Kung Fu fighting... for funds this time

The mystical Shaolin Kung Fu Monks will be back in July after stunning audiences with their strength, flexibility and concentration last month.

This time, part of the proceeds from the shows, to be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, will go towards helping victims of the May 12 earthquake in China.

Shaolin Kung Fu is considered to be the mother of all martial arts worldwide and the Shaolin Monastery is deemed to be a national monument in China.

To attract more tourists, in 1995 the government of the Chinese province where the monastery lies, decided that the traditional exercises of the monks be adapted into a fascinating two-hour show that demonstrates how the body can be controlled by mind power.

The monks can control their Chi, or inner energy, allowing them to endure incredible strokes without physical injuries or wounds. It is this that fascinates the audience time and time again.

In the past 13 years, the monks have toured four continents and performed in front of more than three million people.

The shows will be held on July 11 at 8.30 p.m. and July 12 at 8 p.m. For bookings contact the MCC on 2559 5750/1 .