“Tužme se!” The Early Years of the Sokol

Abstract

The departure of the Young Czech radicals from the leadership of the Prague Sokol did little to allay the suspicions of the Habsburg authorities, who continued to monitor the club for signs of subversive activity. Dissension reappeared in 1863 over the issue of the Polish revolt and caused police officials to scrutinize the club even more closely. Nevertheless, the club remained on its moderate course, continued to win members and, with the completion of a new training hall in 1865, seemed have secured its future. By the time the Prague Sokol approached its fourth anniversary, it had spawned a network of clubs in Bohemia, put down roots in neighboring Moravia, and even established a foothold in another Slavic land. In 1865, the club’s náčelník, Miroslav Tyrš, speculated on the meaning of this success for the nation as a whole:

Yes, we openly admit that we think of this club as a mere modest beginning, that we would little value our training if we were not totally convinced that the mature nation will someday embrace our cause, that it will put down roots throughout the breadth and depth of our homeland… We do not train only for ourselves, for a true Sokol, in the full and noble meaning of the word, does not indulge in such fancies… Not for ourselves — rather we dedicate our fervent struggle to our homeland and nation, and because of this, the people welcome us and cheer our parades.¹