Sokol – Our Czech Heritage Evelyn Schleis-Roesler, Lincoln, Nebraska
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Selected Papers from the 2003 SVU North American Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 26-28 June 2003 Sokol – Our Czech Heritage Evelyn Schleis-Roesler, Lincoln, Nebraska Dr. Miroslav Tyrs and Jindrich Fugner were the founders of Sokol, the physical fitness movement. The foundation was laid by them at a hunters lodge located in the village of Svata, southwest of Beroun in Bohemia. Fugner lived here and his home is preserved as a historical monument with archives. At the time we were there it was closed but a couple from Prague goes there on weekends to take care of it. A Czech King would stay at the lodge when he went hunting. A placard in Czech says that at his “The King’s Gamekeepers Lodge,” in friendship at a friendly closed meeting Jindrich Fugner and Dr. Miroslav Tyrs originated in the year 1862 an establishment for physical training, the organization called “Sokol.” The first Sokol was founded in Prague, the capital of Bohemia, on February 16, 1862. When I was in Oetz, Austria in 1976, we walked through the woods a long way along a winding path onto a walk bridge over the rushing waters of the Aach River to see the monument to Dr. Miroslav Tyrs. Here, in 1962, the American Sokol organization placed a plaque honoring the founder of the Sokol movement. This plaque is inscribed in English, Czech and German. It reads: 1832-1884 Dr. Miroslav Tyrs Philosopher, patriot and pedagogue, Founder of the Sokol gymnastic organization Born in Decin, Czechoslovakia Died in Oetz – dedicated by The American Sokol organization July 11, 1962 Dr. Tyrs vacationed in Oetz and lost his life there in the rushing waters of the Aach River. What is Sokol? Sokol is an organization devoted to the physical, mental and cultural advancement of its members, and the children who attend its gymnasiums. It is based upon the theory that only physically fit, mentally alert and culturally well-developed citizens can form a healthy, strong nation. This proved true for the Czech Army, which proved to be physically fit, and their performance in Siberia during World War I and also in World War II reflected their Sokol training. The Sokol symbol is a falcon. “Sokol” is the Czech word for “falcon.” The falcon is a bird known for its courage, endurance, lighting speed, sharp eyesight, and love of the great heights of the blue skies. Thus, it symbolizes the ideals of the Sokol organization: fitness, strength and lofty goals. “Nazdar” is a greeting that originated in the middle of the 19th century when money was collected for the Czech National Theater. It meant “for the success of the National Theater.” This greeting was adopted quickly after the founding of the first Sokol unit in Prague and became a byword with all Sokols throughout the world. It is a simple phrase – yet one of great meaning. - 1 - Selected Papers from the 2003 SVU North American Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 26-28 June 2003 The founders of Sokol realized that a uniform greeting was needed to place every member in the organization on the same level. During this period class distinctions divided people into specific groups. In the Sokol organization every member was considered equal regardless of outside status. Therefore, all members would be saluted with “Nazdar.” Czech immigrants brought this important part of their culture with them to the new world. The first Sokol in America was founded in St. Louis, Missouri on February 14, 1865. It later spread to several other cities including Wilber, Nebraska. The first Sokol in Wilber was organized in 1880. The first meeting was held on May 7, 1882 in the Wilber Opera House, which was located on Main Street east of the railroad tracks. The opera house subsequently burned down. In 1891 lots were purchased from F.J. Sadilek and a hall was built in Wilber. It became inactive for a while but then started up again in 1901. During World War I the hall was sold and the money donated for the defense of the oppressed Czechs in Europe. The furnishings of the hall were lent to the Sokol in neighboring Crete, Nebraska. The Wilber Sokol was organized for a third time on October 7, 1925. B.J. Vasak was the first president from 1926 to 1942, and under his leadership much progress was made. In 1926 a temporary pavilion was built, to be replaced by a permanent structure in 1930. In 1947 a new addition to contain the bar and the kitchen was constructed and a modern front was completed. Sokol was a social place for cultural and physical activities for the early Czech immigrants. It sponsored educational and cultural programs, gymnastic programs, Czech language instruction, and organized, dances and picnics. Its dramatic club put on “divadla” -- Czech plays and operettas; for example, plays like “Bordynkari” and “Andulka Safarova”, the operetta “Tulak” and many, many other such events. The Czech-American theater curtains explicitly represent symbolic and enduring aspects of the Czech cultural contribution to American history. The character of Czech contributions to local theater was distinct from American forms in its prominent local origins and in its focus on cultural identity. On the stage of the theater building, the elegant front and backdrop curtains usually depicted a castle or some important historical place. There was also advertising around the edges of the curtains from different businesses in town to help pay for the curtain. Some of the curtains were painted with village scenery, and there was an additional frontal cutout drop producing a three-dimensional effect which made the "divadla" (or plays) more realistic. The plays were usually in Czech and performed by local citizens who were, for the most part, quite talented. Some of the plays were comedies and some were serious dramas. In 1964, Postmaster General John A. Gronouski unveiled a five-cent postage stamp honoring the 100th anniversary of the Sokols in America. As Mr. Gronouski said, “These Americans learned from their forefathers that freedom must be fought for and that liberty is not easily acquired or preserved. For these reasons, I believe that the Sokols – taken man for man – comprise one of the finest physical and patriotic assets America has." - 2 - Selected Papers from the 2003 SVU North American Conference, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 26-28 June 2003 Wilber maintained its gymnastics programs well into the 1980’s. District Sokol Slets (rallies) were held in Wilber and were very colorful and prestigious events. A Sokol Slet is the “flocking” together of all the gymnasts to show off their accomplishments in competitions. The Sokol physical fitness program was a long, long time in existence before our President Kennedy acknowledged its significance. In 1980 and 1985 I had the privilege of attending the Spartakiada in Prague at the Strahov Stadium. Sokol was banned under Communism and the Communist Spartakiads were similar to them. One observes a magnificent performance of precision movements, to the accompaniment of some fifteen compositions of classical music (some 15 compositions), executed by some 180,000 citizens of the Czech Republic. First, women perform, and then come the men and army participants. The children are in different groups—girls 8-11 years of age in a group; 12 to 14 year old boys and girls; even 4 and 5 year old children with their mothers. Each group presents a 20- to 30-minute performance. Everyone is in precision, no one is out of step, even though all participants learned the routines at their home units and then got together and perhaps practiced only once, before performing before the world. A feat performed only in this little Czech Republic performing, as it were, a dream -- a vision Tyrs and Fugner had some 125 years ago of a strong, healthy people. No other country has put on a performance of this magnitude to the world in the presence of 25,000 spectators. This great cultural and athletic feat brought tears of pride to my eyes. On July 23, 1998 the Wilber Sokol building was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with reference made to the Sokol movement, which not only advocates "a sound mind in a sound body", but promotes Czech patriotism and ethnic culture. The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s inventory of properties deemed worthy of preservation. It is part of our national program to coordinate and support local and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect the nation’s historical places and those persons who have contributed to our country’s heritage. The Czechs are the most prominent nationality to have built large community centers. The Czech members worked hard without pay and donated time and money so that the community would have a place to congregate socially and educationally. “Ni Zisk” – “Ni Slavu” which means "Not for gain, nor for glory". It is a non-profit organization. In the year 2000 we were able to celebrate the 75th anniversary of this auditorium which was re-organized on October 7, 1925. The building has undergone improvements during the past nine years. There are modern restrooms on the first floor, making them accessible to the handicapped. The old restrooms were in the basement and we had to walk down many steps. The inside has been completely repainted. The kitchen has been modernized. The windows on the north wall of the kitchen and the upper auditorium windows have been replaced with glass block windows. New doors have been installed at the front entrance and there is also now a back entrance door. A whole new roof has been put on.