On October 8, 2025, ceremonies were held in Prague to commemorate the tragic events of 1941, when, on the orders of Reinhard Heydrich, more than 900 members of the Sokol members were arrested. The event took place in the historic Tyrš House in Prague, where the victims were solemnly remembered.
The commemoration has long attracted attention from Czech media and fraternal Sokol organizations worldwide. The World Sokol Federation was represented by President Dr. Damian Małecki. Also present were Martin Chlumský, host of the event and President of Česká obec sokolská, Adriana Šarudiová, President of Sokolská únia Slovenska, as well as representatives of Sokol organizations from abroad.
Sokol Remembrance Day
October 8 holds special significance in Czech Sokol history as a day dedicated to remembering Sokol members murdered during World War II. The Sokol Remembrance Day was established by the Czech Parliament in 2019. This year, for the first time, international commemorations were held to honor the events of October 8, 1941. On that day, more than 900 Czech Sokol members were imprisoned on Heydrich’s orders and subsequently sent to concentration camps. Many of them lost their lives. The Nazi action aimed to paralyze resistance and Czech society, whose leaders included numerous Sokol members.
During the last meeting of the WSF Board in Belgrade, a resolution was adopted on the initiative of President Dr. Damian Małecki to make October 8 an international day of remembrance commemorating all Sokol members from every country who lost their lives during World War II. The World Sokol Federation will now work to have this day officially recognized by the United Nations.
