"Sokol" in St Petersburg was active, even though it had many problems. At the beginning of the 20th century, it had an important mission among the Poles living in the city - to build patriotism.

"In a healthy body, a healthy spirit" - according to this principle, the Polish Gymnastic Society "Sokol" was founded on 7 February 1867 in Lviv - an organisation that raised the national consciousness of 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, were modelled on the Czechs.

Sokoli departed from Prague
In 1862, the first nest was established in Prague. Created by Miroslav Tyrsz, it adhered to the motto "let's get tough". The idea of falconry spread quite rapidly throughout the Czech lands, which, like Poland, were not free at the time. Why? Because it contained pro-independence slogans and was simply attractive to sports enthusiasts. In both cases - Polish and Czech - it took advantage of the liberalism of the Austrian authorities, who, unlike the Prussian or Russian partitioners, turned a blind eye to such initiatives.

The statutes of the PTG stipulated that the example of Lviv would be followed by other cities and their sports enthusiasts. And indeed they did. After a few years, branches (so-called nests) multiplied like mushrooms after the rain. The domino effect went far beyond the former national borders. In fact, it reached across the ocean, where the Polish community also became infected with the falconry movement.

In January 1884, the "Gymnastic Guide" published practical advice. Sokol members learned how to exercise, where to exercise, what to exercise and with what to exercise. Even sporting slackers were advised that if gymnastics wasn't their thing, they should go for an evening walk to improve their health. The guide also contained a number of drawings of exercise equipment that could be reproduced and built at home. Of course, there were also drawings showing, for example, jumping techniques: long jump from a run-up, high jump from a standing position, diving, jumping from a platform.

The impact that the 'Sokol' had on the life of Poles under the partitions was enormous. After all, it was not only about fitness and strength, which could be used in the eventual fight for independence. Apart from sport, the members of this organisation got something more: friendship, understanding and an alternative. Instead of consuming alcoholic beverages in taverns, they ran, jumped, pulled themselves up and played all kinds of team games. Following the principle: "In a healthy body, a healthy spirit".

Surgeon to the rescue
In the Russian partition the "Sokol" was able to develop later. The tsarist authorities, influenced by Russia's defeat in the war with Japan (1904 - 1905) and revolutionary events, announced constitutional rule. Governments that temporarily allowed citizens, including Poles, a little more freedom. This situation led to more nests being opened in more cities with large Polish populations, such as Warsaw. But Poles also formed detachments in places that were not associated with the homeland. An example? Here you go!

In 1905, a group of students approached the president of the Circle of Polish Doctors in St Petersburg, Professor Józef Kazmierz Ziemacki, to help them set up their nest. The respected surgeon had an open mind and agreed. Work began. More worthy members joined the association, and on 16/29 January 1906, in the hall of the Technical School, the draft statutes of the organisation were passed, and it was officially named the Sokol Polski Gymnastic Society of St Petersburg. Ziemacki was elected president. Later, the weekly magazine "Kraj" published an article entitled "Sokol celebration", which fully reflected that important moment:

"In a solemn mood and with our hearts touched, we returned from the celebration of the opening of the "Polish Falcons" in St. Petersburg. The slogans of fraternity and unity were embodied for one moment; all of us gathered at the celebration were alive with emotion; the powerful light of native civilisation shone on our souls," wrote the author.

And in issue 7/8 of "Sokół" from 1907, readers could read about a congratulatory letter for the St Petersburg nest from "the Warsaw Falcon Board and four Warsaw nests; the Warsaw, Dąbrowa and Łódź districts; the Lublin, Włocławek and Częstochowa nests".

Not only sport
Only that the good times of the "Sokołów" in the Kingdom of Poland did not last long. As early as 20 August (2 September) 1906, Governor-General Grigory Skałon suspended their activities throughout the Kingdom of Poland. And a year later, the Polish Gymnastic Society "Sokol" in Warsaw was formally dissolved. But the members of the nests showed great creativity at that moment.

"A confidential resolution not to interrupt the work of the Falcons was sent out by deliberate messengers to all Falcon nests. Various quasi-trip, sporting and sightseeing organisations began to be legalised en masse, under whose auspices falconry work was being developed," Klemens Starzyński reported.
However, this ban did not extend to St Petersburg or other Russian cities, such as Minsk or Kiev. That is why the Sokol there tried to fulfil its statutory aims. These included 'the cultivation and dissemination of hygienic and educational gymnastics among the Polish population in St Petersburg and its environs'. How was this done? Gymnastics facilities were opened, gymnastics lessons were arranged for members, many sports were practically taught or members were called together for joint exercises.

And this was done yearly, from 1907 to 1918. In the course of these, dozens of people demonstrated their sporting skills, often delighting those watching. These demonstrations and the accompanying setting also had an economic dimension, as they brought in much-needed money for the organisation. On 10 March 1918, the last such show-off took place at the "Zgoda" Polish Youth House and Club.

"The Polish Falcon" in St. Petersburg did not dabble only in sports. Well, its members sang, prepared artistic performances took care of the Society's library and went out on joint excursions. Evenings were organised in which the works of the greatest Polish writers were read. Native music was listened to. All this was to ignite patriotism.

Sports activities took place in specially formed groups. The bridesmaids exercised together, the bridesmaids also, and the youngsters also enjoyed each other's company. As in other nests, various sections were formed in St Petersburg. Initially there were two: fencing and horse riding. The 1912/1913 report notes that those that were very popular in other branches - the skiing and football sections - were also formed. The footballers played matches and, according to available calculations, won one in four of them. And in 1914 they took on the struggling St Petersburg Football-league.

Not so simple
"The Polish Falcons" in St Petersburg also struggled with all sorts of problems. The activists had the most to deal with in the initial weeks of activity. Of course, it was necessary to find a place suitable for training. The choice fell on a flat on Stolarny Boulevard. The premises were later changed.

The most important members of the "Sokol" had a lot of trouble hiring a suitable instructor. One who would be able to train his successors. After initial setbacks, the choice fell on Bieganski from Lviv. This man created the Teachers' Cluster in 1907, which became a forge for subsequent instructors.

However, the biggest concern of the St Petersburg nest was funds. Because people of different social classes could belong to the "Polish Falcons", for the poorest people the organisation became a kind of springboard from everyday life. Only that they could not afford to pay the fee, which amounted to three roubles. The activists took a humane approach, deferring payments, but even so, they were often forced to cross out people who did not make payments. Because, after all, the 'Falcon' had expenses, which it limited anyway. Even though richer residents or members sometimes came to their aid, the Board still looked at each coin several times before spending it.

From 1918 onwards, Poles from St Petersburg were packing up and leaving for the reborn homeland. Among them were members of the "Polish Falcons". The stir there showed that the association had served its purpose. Polishness in St Petersburg did not die.