A hundred days before the XVIIth All-Sokol Slet (Gatering), the biggest sporting-social-cultural event of the year in our country, the Czech Sokol Community has officially announced the launching of the sale of tickets for mass performances. Ranging from CZK 200 to 700 per day, they will be available for purchase from 1 April and the Fortuna Arena auditorium is expected to fill up completely. Sokols also unveiled their tram and presented the Slet app and badge. Besides that, the manifesto with speeches by public figures was introduced at the press conference.
Preparations for the gathering go on schedule. “We still have three busy months of preparation and rehearsals ahead of us but I believe that the gathering will turn out great and will celebrate the whole of Sokol organization,” said Martin Chlumský, 1st Vice Mayor of the Czech Sokol Community (ČOS), temporarily in charge of the organization.
He stressed out that the current affair of bank and credit fraud, which has affected the Sokol Community, in no way affects preparations for the Slet. Besides other things, the confirmed and received state subsidy from the National Sports Agency assigned for the organization of the Slat proves that fact. “That is very important for us, as well as the unceasing support of our partners,” Chlumský added.
Ticket Sales
Sokols in local organizations across the country are eager to rehearse the 12 mass performances. The audience may also look forward to seeing three compositions performed by guests and a New Circus show. Tickets for the performances of 4 and 5 July in Fortuna Arena in Eden will be on sale at TicketPortal starting 1 April. The tickets for the most prestigious category I cost CZK 700 per day, while the permanent passes for both days cost CZK 1,100. On the other hand, the cheapest ticket for category IV costs CZK 200 (permanent pass CZK 300).
“The tickets are divided into four categories and are very affordable. Permanent passes for both days are on sale too. The best seats are as high as possible, as the beauty of the performances and their choreographies will stand out from above,” says Petr Svoboda, the chief of the ČOS and vice-chairman of the Slet programme team.
One new feature of the Slet and the next step in Sokol’s endeavors to get modernized is a mobile application aimed at streamlining the experience and making it more enjoyable for everyone. Those who download the App called Sokol (from Google Play or AppStore), will be the first to know when tickets go on sale.
The App
The App will contain all the information about the Slet program, instructions for participants, news, and interesting facts, and will feature competitions or discounts and benefits. After the Slet, the App will stay as a platform for internal communication of all Sokol members. The All-Sokol Slet App was designed by CGI, which is also the main partner of the Slet from the technologies industry.
“Over half of the Sokol members are under the age of 26. With the special Slet App, we are keeping up and catering to all those who like modern technology,” says Martin Chlumský.
Next Station: the Slet
Sokols also introduced the Slet tram, which has been cruising the streets of the capital since the beginning of this week thanks to the partnership with the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP). The tram will generally follow the route of line No. 22, connecting the key locations of this year’s Slet: the Tyrš House, the National Theatre, and the Fortuna Arena in Eden. The tram was designed by the Dynamo design studio, which artfully employed the illustrations by the renowned artist Jaromír 99.
The tram features key information about Slet Week as well as various competitions, the prizes of which include Slet tickets. Thanks to the humorous catchphrases decorating the tram interior, passengers are motivated to embrace sport. The tram’s ride can be viewed in real-time thanks to GPS on the map mobilnitabla.cz/sokol.
Alex Choupenitch acts as one of Sokol’s ambassadors. The caricature of him fencing is part of the Slet visual style and the passengers may take a photo with “him” while traveling by the Slet tram. “I have been graphically depicted for the Slet and I’m excited about it,” said the bronze fencer from Tokyo, adding: “I sincerely do like what I’ve heard about the Slet – about the tram, the App, the merch – I’m astounded. Good job, really. I’m happy to be a part of it.”
The Badge
Young medallist Irena Hradecká designed a special badge that will be given to all participants in the Slet week, just like at past gatherings. The motto #sletspojuje (Unity through Slet) is reflected in it where the falcon is intertwined with the Roman numerals and the text. “At the same time, the falcon is carrying the letters O in his talons, as if it’s holding gymnastic rings. The final version of the badge thus does not lack sporting symbolism,” revealed the medallist, who is rehearsing as a gymnast the mass composition In the Rhythm of the Heart
The Manifesto
What do actress Adéla Gondíková, cardiac surgeon Jan Pirk, Paralympic champion Jiří Ježek, and musician Milan Peroutka have in common? All of them got involved in the preparation of the Slet Manifesto. Once again created by the Dynamo design studio, the audio recording of the Manifesto briefly describes the meaning and significance of the Slet and features interesting voices, such as of a young Sokol gymnast Alice Vlková or Jocelyn Kojzar, a Sokol girl from Washington D.C.
“The Manifesto is a beautiful example of the upcoming Slet’s ever-present motto #sletspojuje (Unity through Slet). It has interconnected Sokols with the public, the Czechs with the world, the young with the elderly, top athletes with recreational sportsmen and sport with culture. This is the message that the voices speaking from the audio recording convey to the listeners,” says Markéta Wolfová, the Slet marketing manager.
Photo: Markéta Navrátilová
