SOKOL MOVEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 127, 25 November 1935, Page 20

SOKOL MOVEMENT

FOE PHYSICAL CULTURE

IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA

Within the last few years greatly increased attention has been paid in this country to the physical fitness of our people; conferences are being held and organisations set up to encourage bodily development on sound lines and the "Keep Fit" movement is growing, especially in the north, and this applies not only to the young but to all ages, says a writer in the "Manchester Guardian." It is interesting, therefore, to learn what is being done in this direction in other countries, and a recent visit to Czechoslovakia afforded me an opportunity of getting into touch with the great Sokol Movement and the fine work it has been doing for so many years.

Sokol (meaning Falcon) was started in Bohemia as far back as 1872 by Professor Fugner and Dr. Tyrs, and all through the difficult years while Bohemia was struggling for her freedom Sokol was not only kept alive but greatly developed its activities and now flour'-hes in what were Bohemia, Slovakia, Moravia, Silesia, and Ruthenia, and has flowed over into Rumania, Austria, and Yugoslavia.

To attain its object—namely, the development of the national physique— the early promoters went no further than employing gymnastics, mostly in the open, rhythmic marching, and exercises in mass formation; this is still the official programme, but it has been gradually and informally extended by the countless branches of Sokol; these enjoy perfect freedom in their choice of activities, and today football, netball, swimming, boating, ski-ing, hiking, camping, and general field sports, together with youth hostels, etc., are found everywhere as part of their programme. During the long winter evenings rooms and halls are rented, and activities similar to those found hi this country are organised. THE YOUTH ORGANISATIONS IN THE PRAGUE STADIUM. The centre of the movement is at Praha (Prague), where I saw a most interesting collection of photographs and trophies giving one an idea of Sokol development during bygone years. I also visited the vast stadium, capable of accommodating 70,000 spectators, where international "Sokolites" (if one may coin a word) meet every six years to go through their various exercises; a great day for Praha, whose streets are thronged by the vast procession of athletes. The president of the movement is Dr. Bakovsky, and the organisation works through endless committees up and down the country dealing with the different activities which Sokol encourages. I was extraordinarily fortunate in meeting young Fugner In the village where I was staying; he is the grand-nephew of. one of the original founders and an undergraduate of Praha University, who luckily spoke French, for the Czech language is beyond an ordinary mortal, and most oi my knowledge of Sokol was gathered from this charming and enthusiastic boy. Early on the first Sunday of my stay the village was alive with music and marching, and on inquiry I found it was a gathering not of Sokol but of the Maccabees, the Jewish equivalent of Sokol. The Roman Catholics also have their equivalent and call it "Orel" (meaning Eagle), and the Labour Sokol is known by the letters D. T. J. Band music always figures largely at their meetings. NO AGE-LIMIT. Membership of Sokol is open to all and sundry, there being no age-limit. The annual subscription for children is 2s 6d and for adults 13s 6d. Girls and women form a considerable proportion of the total membership, and the branches generally manage to carry on their finances successfully through their members' subscriptions and the entrance fees paid by spectators at their numerous displays. As far as I could gather there is no particular difficulty in finding fields and open spaces for their physical exercises and games. On my asking young Fugner whether the Czechoslovakian Government recognised Sokol and aided it by giving it an annual grant he smiled and said that the boot was rather on the other leg, for it was Sokol that helped the State by bringing together the people of the different countries forming the Republic of Czechoslovakia and so making for quicker fusion and a more intense national feeling.

Sokol is entirely free from any political or military influence. It has its own colours and very simple dress, and during its mass displays their costume is mostly conspicuous by its absence. Each squad has its own leader, whose services are entirely voluntary.

Has not the time arrived when some sort of liaison might very usefully be established between Sokol and our different youth movements, or, rather, between the different nations who recognise the great value of this work and who practise it? We can all learn from each other. True, there are the Olympic Games, but that is another story.