Chile Opens 'Jedi Temple' For Pint-Sized Star Wars Fans

By Michael Lopez

Never underestimate the massive appeal of Star Wars. For over 30 years, characters like Darth Vader, Obi Wan Kenobi, and Yoda have transcended cultures, languages, and continents . So much so, that Chile has decided to open up its very own school dedicated to the wisdom of "The Jedi."

Christened “The Jedi Temple,” the pre-teen martial arts academy focuses on teaching kids the art of intergalactic self-defense. Brandishing light sabers instead of nunchucks, the students are learning classic tae kwon do techniques while dressing up as their favorite characters.

William Berrueta, the school’s founder, recently spoke to BBC Mundo about the concept. A true Star Wars fan himself, Berrueta makes sure each class pays plenty of detail to the famous movie franchise. He went on to describe his light saber as "an exact replica...that has the sounds and the light reminiscent of the movies."

Interestingly, it was a visiting Star Wars exhibition in March 2009 that inspired Berrueta to launch the school. So far, the only downer seems to be the 6-12 age range. Seeing how the first Star Wars movie came out back in 1977, we’re sure there are plenty of "big kids" who would love to participate too.

Are you a fan of Star Wars? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags chile, Cultura, Education, Martial Arts, Star Wars, The Jedi Temple