Welcome
to Sokol Greater Cleveland at Historic Bohemian National Hall
Home of Sokol Greater Cleveland's Czech Cultural Center
There are currently 44 Sokol units, or organizations, open in North America. Sokol Greater
Cleveland is one of two Sokol organizations in the Cleveland area. This unit is one of the largest
within the national organization, American Sokol Organization, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
The member units of the American Sokol offer physical training in gymnastics and other athletics,
as well as providing cultural awareness and family oriented activities.
Sokol Greater Cleveland at Bohemian National Hall 4939 Broadway Avenue Cleveland OH 44127 216-883-0675
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Our Goals: To develop a healthy body, cultivate a harmonious and total person, develop good character, foster love of truth and justice, producing a strong and honorable person. Above all, we encourage family participation in all aspects of our programs.
Sokol has something for everyone!
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SOKOL - THE BEST KEPT SECRET
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What is "Sokol ?"
The idea of physical education as well as the promotion of moral values was formulated by Dr Miroslav Tyrs, a professor of the
Charles University, and by Jindrich Fugner in 1862 in the Austrian Czech lands, which later became Czechoslovakia and now the
Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Their program, Sokol, was based on the democratic principles of the ancient Greeks
and their idea of developing "a sound mind in a sound body". Trys was the creator of calisthenics and exercises, placing the
whole system on a firm scientific basis and the philosophy that only physically fit, mentally alert, and culturally well developed
citizens can make a nation strong and give life to the honorable spirit of patriotism.
Sokol came to the United States via Czech-land immigrants in 1865. Well into it's second century, Sokol continues today around
the world as a vital, thriving entity dedicated to both youth and adults participating in its programs, the local communities served,
and to the physical, mental, and cultural advancement of its members.
For 145 years in the United States, American Sokol has helped to shape the lives of Olympians, Diplomats, Artists, Athletes, and most importantly, every-day-wonderful people.
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The word “sokol” translates to "falcon" and is symbolic of the Sokol ideals: Courage, Strength, Endurance, Fraternalism, Love of Democratic Principles & Pride of Country.
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The falcon is a bird known for its courage, endurance, lighting speed, sharp eyesight, and love of the great heights of the blue
skies. Thus, it symbolizes the ideals of the Sokol organization of fitness, strength and lofty goals. While Sokol is Czech for
"falcon," Sokol is English for a great group of people bonded by a common ethnicity, heritage or interest.