Joint exercises in Sokol “slet“, tramping,
trips on marked hiking trails or collecting C shaped pieces of plastic “céčka“
- this was the entertainment of the inhabitants of Czechoslovakia, a Central
European state, which was born just 100 years ago.

National Spartakiad (1985)National Museum, Czech Republic

Organized Physical Education

The Sokol physical education association was established in 1863. The best activities took place at the Sokol “slet“, meetings of all active members during the joint exercise. For the new, communist regime after 1948, Sokol was uncomfortable, so it suppressed it. Nonetheless, the joint exercise was kept as a form of a demonstration of the successes of socialism. Sokol “slet“ changed into a spartakiad. They were held since 1955 and taking part in them was considered prestigious. The most important ones were held in the capital city of Prague at the Strahov Stadium. They disappeared after 1989 and Sokol was restored.

Scarf for Sokol "slet" (1938)National Museum, Czech Republic

A commemorative silk scarf made for the occasion of the X All Sokol "Slet", the central motif forms the map of the republic with the years 1918 and 1938, the author is unknown.

Sokol festive costume (1925)National Museum, Czech Republic

Sokol festive uniform used during ceremonial events.

The patrioticly designed uniform originated from 1862 and the first designs for its model were created by the painter Josef Mánes.

It settled till the end of the 1960s, and till the end of the 19th century, versions for the whole family were designed.

Sokol belt (1925)National Museum, Czech Republic

Decorated belt for a Sokol uniform with a buckle with the sign of the Sokol movement.

Sokol women at "slet" (1920)National Museum, Czech Republic

Floor exercises of women and adolescents on VI All Sokol "Slet" in Prague in 1920.

Spartakiad trainers, 1960/1989, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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This girls' gymnastic trainer, called "Jarmilka", was part of a Spartakiad exercise set. The trainers were made by the Svit Gottwaldov National Enterprise for Spartakiad purposes since 1965.

Spartakiad boys’ outfit, 1989, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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A children's clothes set for the composition of parents with children for the national Spartakiad of 1990. But it has never taken place. In 1989, political changes took place in Czechoslovakia, resulting in the end of the communist regime.

Spartakiad girls’ outfit, 1989, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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The clothes set consisted of a white cotton T-shirt (made by Pleas) and a green wrap dederon skirt (produced by Jitex).

National Spartakiad (1975)National Museum, Czech Republic

This original exercise of parents and their children aged 3 to 6 was performed at the Prague Spartakiad as the first in the world. 4,000 pairs were doing exercise at Prague, Strahov.

Advertising Sign (1960/1979)National Museum, Czech Republic

With Beer or Coke in front of the
TV

Social gathering associated with drinking good beverages has had a long tradition in Central Europe. During the existence of Czechoslovakia, modern phenomena were added to the consumption of beer, liquors or lemonades accompanying chatting about everything. People in clubs, bars and pubs danced to live or recorded music, chatted about sports events and, in particular, the men's population began to connect going to the pub with cheering for sports clubs or Czechoslovakian representation. The media, especially television which enabled watching sports and other events from the home armchair, influenced the entertainment. People were drinking and chatting with friends while watching the football World Cup as well as entertainment shows such as New Year's Eve shows.

Ringhofer lemonade Sign, 1920/1939, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Advertising sign from a thin sheet of metal "F. Ringhoffer "- factory production of soda water Velké Popovice.

Pilsner Urquell Sign, 1920/1939, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Becher Sign, 1920/1929, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Beer coasters, 1970/1979, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Beer bottle, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Jukebox M. 120M FONICASlovak National Museum

Cultural Czechoslovakia

 

A similar language of Czechs and Slovak gave rise to stars known across the Czech and Slovak area. Whether it was a film, music or television, both Czechs and Slovaks had their shared film and music stars that sold out theatres, houses of culture or sports halls. Male and female singers also took part in the festivals. The first year of the most famous popular music festival of the last quarter of the century in Czechoslovakia, the Bratislava lyre, was won by Karel Gott in 1966. He was a person who, as one of a few, outstretched the state borders. A joint show business in the form of Czech-Slovak duets, Czech actors in Slovak films or series and vice versa has still been alive.

Bust - Emma DestinnováNational Museum, Czech Republic

Bust of a successful opera singer Ema Destinnová. It was created by the sculptor Bohumil Kafka in the first half of the 20th century.

Postcard of Emma Destinnová, 1929-09-19, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Postcard in which Czech opera singer Ema Destinnová thanks Oskar Nedbal for inviting her to Bratislava.

Actress Adina Mandlová's gown (1936)National Museum, Czech Republic

Adina Mandlová's creamy colour gown, probably made in Hanna Podolská's salon in 1936.

The dress is made of lace with a rich floral pattern with woven gilded metal threads.

Scenic model for Karel Čapek's play White Disease Scenic model for Karel Čapek's play White Disease (1937)National Museum, Czech Republic

Scenic model by František Tröster for the play of playwright Karel Čapek The White Disease, made for the Slovak National Theater in 1937.

Radio Telegrafia, 1936/1937, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Triumf Bali Telegraphia radio from the time of the First Czechoslovak Republic

Supraphon banner Supraphon banner, 1960/1979, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Honorary flag awarded to the national company Supraphon, the largest publisher of popular music in Czechoslovakia in the period 1950 -1989.

Catalogue of the Bratislava Lyre Music Festival Catalogue of the Bratislava Lyre Music Festival, 1975, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Front page of the catalogue of the international music festival Bratislava Lyre.

Radio Comet 9 (1958/1963)National Museum, Czech Republic

Radio Comet 9 commodore produced by the Czechoslovak company Tesla.

Karel Gott, promotion of an artist as a Czechoslovak export article, 1985, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Karel Gott - The Programme From Bohemia to the World (front cover). Karel Gott in the Czechoslovak flag symbolizes the success of Czechoslovak popular music. A great export item, especially to the Eastern Bloc countries and the German Federal Republic since the late 1960s.

Marching tourists (1920/1939)National Museum, Czech Republic

Tramping

Tourism as well as the exercise, acquired various forms in the 20th century. Tramping can be understood as escaping from the city and finding oneself. Tramps have been pioneers of setting up camps in the wild since the 1930s, making use of the romantic stories of the American Wild West. The organization that promoted mainly hiking was the Club of Czechoslovak Tourists. Its members travelled Czechoslovakia on foot and were preparing new trails with original colour marking. The passion for hiking in nature is embodied in a number of marches that have spread since the 1960s. The most famous is the Prague-Prčice march, which has been operating since 1966.

Tourist Map of the First Republic (1930/1939)National Museum, Czech Republic

Tourist map of North Bohemian Turnov surroundings, published by the Club of Czech Tourists , using colour marking of trails in the period of the First Czechoslovak Republic.

Scouts on the expeditionNational Museum, Czech Republic

The so-called "usárna" - Backpack, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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The Haversack M1910, used by the US Army during the World War I, became an iconic part of the tramping gear during the 1920s and remains so until now. It was called "usárna" according to U.S. capitals on it.

Tramp quitar, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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The guitar was made by E. Glassl in Chomutov and was used by tramp Unkas from the Stars camp.

Tramp pub in cabin (1970)National Museum, Czech Republic

Tramp flag, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Tramps on the hikeNational Museum, Czech Republic

Chronicle of the Hebron Tramp Camp Chronicle of the Hebron Tramp Camp, 1970/1974, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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The chronicle of the Brdy Hebron camp originated between 1970 - 1974. Written with occasional excursions to the past. Mainly decribes the areas of Central Bohemian Brdy - Hřebeny. It was provided to the National museum by Stanislav Zienert - Bear from T. O. Bandoleros, Prague. The chronicle is written and illustrated in hand using various techniques.

Tramp in the cabin "Three Boys" in Brdy (1974)National Museum, Czech Republic

Souvenir from the Prague - Prčice march Souvenir from the Prague - Prčice march, 1975, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Small shoe as a reward for the march was received by the participants during the first years (from the 8th year in 1973).

Back page Back page, 1977, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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In 1977 the metal shoe was replaced by a plastic shoe that changed its colour every year.

Construction kit Merkur (1970)National Museum, Czech Republic

World of Czechoslovak Games and Toys

Board games and table games used to become an entertainment of young and old in the higher social levels since the 19th century. In the following century, they spread among the entire population, including the Czechoslovak one. Czechoslovakia became a super power in their use. The building kit that used to entertain the generations as early as the First Republic was called Merkur. In the second half of the 20th century, “Člověče nezlob se“ (Ludo) or so-called “Céčka“ became popular. 

Construction kit Alfa, 1970/1979, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Puzzle of the map of the First Republic, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Board game Praha - Brno - Bratislava, From the collection of: National Museum, Czech Republic
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Manufacturers of games did not let customers play only but put educational elements into their products. So games should introduce Czechoslovak castles and chateaux or the most important places of the country.

Toy model Tatra T148, large model car, 1970, From the collection of: Slovak National Museum
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A large model of the Tatra truck was produced by the national company Lisovna of new materials, Vrbno pod Pradědem, plant Chuchelná in 1970. Its designers were František Pelikán, Pavel Škarka, SMD.

"Céčka" - C shapes plastic pieces (1980/1989)National Museum, Czech Republic

"Céčka" were originally made as individual pieces of interior curtains that could easily be joined in chains.

In the 1980s, "Céčka" gained popularity as a toy, and for a considerable proportion of teenagers became a sought after and wanted collector article.

Credits: Story

Tomáš Kavka, Národní muzeum

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions (listed below) who have supplied the content.
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