Year after year, Sokols from many European countries come to Oetz in Tyrol to play sports together and to honour the memory of the late founder of Sokol, Dr. Miroslav Tyrš.
The meeting traditionally started with Suk’s march V Nový život and the hoisting of the Sokol flag. Then a volleyball tournament occurred, while sports games for children and adults took place. Participants in the sports games had the opportunity to receive a diploma or a medal. On the second day, the second part of the volleyball tournament took place, which was unfortunately shortened. All age categories from children to adults took part in the cross-country race. There were also competitions such as darts and pétanque.
The meeting ended on Monday, May 20, when the Czech priest from Munich, Mr. Bohuslav Švehla, celebrated mass in the local cultural hall. After the mass, the guests gave a short welcome and speeches. Among others, the Czech Ambassador to Austria Jiří Šitler and the Mayor of the Czech Sokol Community Martin Chlumský visited Oetz in 2024. Furthermore, the participants from Munich, who 50 years ago were at the birth of the event, were honoured. The Prague Sokol presented a puppet play about M. Tyrš and J. Fügner. Afterwards, the flags were decorated with commemorative ribbons to commemorate the anniversary of the meeting in Oetz. The Sokol parade then went along the Acha River to the memorial plaque of Miroslav Tyrš.
This year’s meeting was attended by Czech Television, which filmed part of the documentary Proměny doktora Tyrše. This documentary can be viewed on iVysílání.
World Sokol Federation
international non-governmental organization
