“A healthy mind in a healthy body” – in keeping with this principle , on 7 February 1867, the Polish Gymnastics Society “Sokół” was founded in Lviv – an organisation which sought to foster national consciousness amongst Poles through physical education. Anyone could join its ranks, regardless of gender, social status or religion. The founding fathers, including Klemens Żukotyński, Ludwik Goltental, Jan Żaplachta-Zapałowicz, Józef Milleret, Jan Dobrzański, Antoni Durski and Żegota Krówczyński modelled the society on the Czech example.

The ‘Sokoli’ took flight from Prague

In 1862, the first ‘nest’ was established in Prague. Founded by Mirosław Tyrsz, it adopted the motto ‘let us strengthen ourselves’. The idea of the Sokol movement spread quite rapidly across the Czech lands, which, like the Polish lands, were not free at the time. Why? Because it embodied slogans of independence and was simply appealing to sports enthusiasts. In both cases – Polish and Czech alike – the liberal stance of the Austrian authorities was exploited ; unlike the Prussian or Russian occupying powers , they turned a blind eye to such initiatives.

The PTG’s constitution envisaged that other towns and the sports enthusiasts living there would follow Lviv’s example . And indeed they did. After a few years, branches (known as ‘nests’) were springing up like mushrooms after rain. The domino effect extended far beyond the former borders of the state . Indeed! It reached as far as across the ocean , where the Polish diaspora there also caught the Sokol fever.

In January 1884, practical advice appeared in the ‘Przewodnik Gimnastyczny ’. Members of ‘Sokół’ learnt how to exercise, where to exercise, what to do and what equipment to use . Even those who were lazy when it came to sport were advised that, if gymnastics was not their cup of tea, they should go for an evening walk to improve their health. The guide also contained several drawings of exercise apparatus that could be traced and built at home. Of course, there was no shortage of illustrations depicting, for example, jumping techniques: the running long jump, the standing high jump, the depth jump and the platform jump.

The impact that ‘Sokół’ had on the lives of Poles under foreign rule was enormous. After all, it was not just about physical fitness and strength that could be utilised in a possible struggle for independence. Members of this organisation gained something more than just sport: friendship, understanding and an alternative. Instead of drinking alcoholic beverages in pubs, they ran, jumped, did pull-ups and played various team sports. In keeping with the principle: ‘A healthy mind in a healthy body’.

A surgeon to the rescue

In the Russian Partition , ‘Sokół’ was able to develop later. The tsarist authorities, influenced by Russia’s defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) and the revolutionary events, announced a constitutional monarchy. A system that temporarily allowed citizens, including Poles, a little more freedom . This situation led to further branches being opened in various towns with large Polish populations, such as Warsaw. But Poles also formed units in places not traditionally associated with their homeland. An example? Here you go!

In 1905 a group of students approached the chairman of the Polish Doctors’ Association in St Petersburg, Professor Józef Kaźmierz Ziemacki , asking him to help them set up their own branch. The esteemed surgeon was open-minded and agreed. Work began. Further distinguished members joined the association, and on 16/29 January 1906, in the hall of the Technical School , the draft constitution of the organisation was adopted; it was officially named the ‘Sokół Polski’ Gymnastics Society in St Petersburg. Ziemacki was elected president. Subsequently, an article entitled ‘The Sokol Ceremony’ appeared in the weekly magazine *Kraj*, which fully captured that significant moment:

In a solemn mood and with hearts moved, we returned from the ceremony marking the grand opening of ‘Polish Sokół’ in St Petersburg. For a moment, the ideals of brotherhood and unity came to life; all of us gathered at the ceremony were united by a single feeling, and the mighty light of our native civilisation shone upon our souls.

Meanwhile, in issue 7/8 of *Sokół* from 1907, readers could read about a letter of congratulations to the St Petersburg branch from “Warsaw – the Sokół management and the four Warsaw branches; the districts of Warsaw, the Dąbrowa Basin and Łódź; and the branches of Lublin, Włocławek and Częstochowa”.

Not just sport

However, the ‘Sokół’ branches ’ heyday in the Kingdom of Poland did not last long. As early as 20 August (2 September) 1906, Governor-General Grigory Skalon suspended their activities throughout the Kingdom of Poland. A year later , the Polish Gymnastics Society “Sokół” in Warsaw was formally dissolved. But the members of the local branches showed great creativity at that time .

A confidential resolution to continue Sokol activities was sent out by dedicated messengers to all Sokol branches. Various organisations, ostensibly dedicated to excursions, sport and sightseeing, began to be registered en masse, under the guise of which Sokol activities were carried out, as reported by Klemens Starzyński.

However , this ban did not extend to St Petersburg and other Russian cities , such as Minsk or Kyiv. Consequently, the local ‘Sokół’ organisation sought to fulfil its statutory objectives . These included ‘promoting and disseminating hygienic and educational gymnastics amongst the Polish population in St Petersburg and its surroundings’. How was this achieved? Gymnastics centres were opened, gymnastics lessons were organised for members, a wide range of sports disciplines were taught, or members were brought together for group exercises.

And this was done every year, from 1907 to 1918. During these events, several dozen people demonstrated their sporting skills, often to the delight of the spectators. These displays and the accompanying festivities also had an economic dimension, as they brought in much-needed funds for the organisation. On 10 March 1918 , the last such display took place at the ‘Zgoda’ Polish Youth Centre and Club .

‘Sokół Polski’ in St Petersburg did not confine itself solely to sporting activities . Indeed, its members sang, prepared artistic performances, looked after the Society’s library and went on joint excursions . Evenings were organised at which the works of the greatest Polish writers were read . They listened to Polish music. All this was done to foster patriotism.

Sports activities took place in specially formed groups. The female members trained together, as did the male members, and the young people enjoyed each other’s company. As in other branches, various sections were established in St Petersburg . Initially, there were two: fencing and horse riding. The 1912/1913 report noted that sections had also been established which were very popular in other branches – the skiing and football sections. The footballers played matches and, according to available statistics, won one in every four of them. In 1914, they competed in the St Petersburg Football League.

Not so straightforward

‘Sokół Polski’ in St Petersburg also faced various kinds of problems. The club officials had the most to sort out in the early weeks of its existence. Naturally , they had to find premises suitable for training. They chose a flat on Stolarny Lane. Later, the headquarters were moved.

The key members of “Sokół” had a great deal of trouble in recruiting a suitable instructor – one who would be able to train their successors. After some initial setbacks, the choice fell on Biegański from Lviv. In 1907, this man founded the Teachers’ Circle, which became a breeding ground for future instructors.

However, the greatest problem facing the St Petersburg branch was funding . As people from various social classes could join ‘Polish Sokół’, for the poorest among them the organisation became a kind of escape from everyday life. The problem was that they could not afford to pay the membership fee, which amounted to three roubles. The activists took a compassionate approach, deferring payments, but even so they were often forced to strike off those who failed to pay. After all, ‘Sokół’ had expenses, which it was already keeping to a minimum. Although wealthier residents or members would sometimes lend a hand, the Executive Committee would still scrutinise every coin several times before spending it.

From 1918 onwards, Poles from St Petersburg packed their bags and set off for their reborn homeland. Among them were members of ‘Sokół Polski’. That exodus is proof that the association had fulfilled its purpose. Polish identity in St Petersburg had not been lost.