A National Celebration of Exercise

"During the golden days in Prague (Czechoslovakia) a highly industrialized and modern nation lives in the fairyland of beauty and dreams.  Where has a dream proved more practical than that of Tyrs, who, behind trained muscles, glimpsed clear, clean, thinking minds and the free State they were to build and serve?" When Czechoslovakia Puts a Falcon Feather In Its Cap, Maynard Owen Williams, National Geographic Magazine, January, 1932, p. 49.  This is the conclusion of a short article celebrating the physical conditioning of the entire nation of Czechoslovakia every six years.

It was the dream of "Dr. Miroslav Tyrs, whose aim was the physical and moral betterment of his people," (photo caption, p. 41).  He envisioned a country whose citizens engaged in regular physical exercise.  Every six years, most of the country descends upon the capital, Prague, to either watch or engage in displays of group exercise.  The giant 567-acre stadium in 1932 held 155,000 spectators watching a total of 700,000 participants engaging in group Olympics during one week!

The festival goes beyond the physical prowess into arts and culture.  Every hotel room is filled, every theater seat is taken.  This movement where the entire country is encouraged to join teams for exercise is called, "Sokol," or "Falcon," a term denoting excellence.  Native crafts are displayed and native costumes are worn

"Although the Sokols date only from 1862, their underlying idea is. . . "Since everything in the world is done and is maintained by movement, it is most natural that everything alive should experience the joy of movement."  To all who take part, the mass drills are a spiritual adventure," (photo caption, p. 42).

This national pride in physical fitness encouraged people of all ages to participate.  "A full-fledged Sokol member must be 18 years of age, but youngsters are trained in dramatic drills picturing the struggle of youth for liberty and strength," (photo caption, p. 48).  It is inspiring to hear of a nation with such pride in their synchronized physical exercise!