All Sokol Slet Parade Through the Streets of Prague

Some 15,000 members of Sokol from around the world marched through the center of Prague on Sunday, June 30th, opening the 17th All Sokol Slet. The all-Sokol Slets are held every six years and are attended by Sokol members from around the world.

The Sokol sports and physical fitness movement was founded in 1862, by leading figures of the National Revival movement. It was banned both by the Nazis and by the Communist regime. Its activities were restored after 1989, and today, it is one of the largest all-age physical fitness associations in the Czech Republic, with around 160,000 members.

Our unit - Sokol San Francisco - participated in the opening night of the XVII All Sokol Slet.

Approximately 11,300 participants from 13 countries participated, and President Petr Pavel watched from the honorary box. He presented the honorary flag to Martin Chlumský, the head of the Czech Sokol Organization, before the start of the festivities.

READ MORE ABOUT THE EVENT

OR watch JUST our women's performance, which appears at 134 minutes (2 hrs, 14 min) or 36 minutes before the end of the video.

Nazdar!

Jsem velmi ráda, že jsem byla součástí Všesokolského Sletu 2024. Přípravy byly sice velmi náročné, ale v průběhu bohatého a milého sletového dění bylo vše zažehnáno. Veškeré díky patrí všem zúčastněným! Moc jsme si to společně všichni užili. Zdar!

-- Nela R.

In 2018, I traveled to the Czech Republic to watch the All Sokol Slet. My mother participated in this synchronized group exercise in 1938 as a 15-year-old teenager. I was so amazed and impressed by the parade through Prague and by the two-day performances six years ago that I decided to perform in the next All Sokol Slet myself and dedicate my participation to my mother.

Our parade through Prague in our ASO uniforms was so much fun. Our performance with 1,250+ other Sokol members dancing with umbrellas in "Babí Léto" was spectacular! I am so grateful to Sokol San Francisco and everyone who helped me learn our colorful and beautiful number for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and treasured memory. NAZDAR!

--Renata S.

Nikdy jsem nechtela cvicit na spartakiade a Sokolsky Slet za mych let v Cesku nebyl. Moje maminka se zucastnila sletu v roce 1948 a cely zivot na to vzpominala. Skoncila jsem ve skupine Babi leto a nacvicovaly jsme s 14 ostatnimi cely rok!

Slet v Praze stal za to! Nadherna atmosfera, prijemni lide, imponujici organizace a nadherna vystoupeni 20 000 clenu Sokola s celeho sveta. Nezapomenutelne zazitky, nova a upevnena pratelstvi a obdiv ke vsem ucastnikum!

--Lenka B.

Je naprosto úžasné být součástí něčeho tak obrovského, kde všichni chtějí být ve svém volném čase.... čas na nácviky, cestování, vzít si dovolenou, aby u toho člověk byl... jen nás Babí léto bylo 1,277 cvičenek najednou na ploše. A ta pospolitost!

Neuvěřitelné! Zážitky naprosto předčily očekáváni! Žádne "one and done" - Sejdeme se za šest let v Edenu!

--Milena H.

Prague Slet 2024 was an amazing experience. I enjoyed all the activities, spending time with my Sokol SF friends, and local Sokol groups.  A highlight of the week long event was watching all the various performances which ranged from young children to Sokol members 80+ years old. Thank you to Milena for her leadership, enthusiasm, and patience in leading our group to be part of this event. 

-- Nicole B.

The 2024 All Sokol Slet was a week of events beyond my imagination. The excitement of the 15,000+ participants on the streets of Prague and in the trams, and at the all-group rehearsals was amazing. The event was magical and full of individual and national pride. I was so honored to have had the opportunity to be part of this very historical and Czech event.

-- Jana B.

We had the opportunity to meet Hana Hlaváčková, chairwoman of Československy Ustav Zahraniční, the Czechoslovak Foreign Institute.

Read more about our meeting.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a lovely reception in Černinsky Palace for the international Sokol chapters. JUDr. Jiří Krátky M.A., special commissioner for expatriate affairs, welcomed everyone.

This was the first time these Sokol chapters were recognized at the government level.

Follow Sokol SF on Facebook for event announcements and post-event highlights.