Let us gradually introduce to you all the mass performances prepared for the XVIIth All-Sokol Slet (Gathering). And let us begin with the first of them - the Leporello. Teenage girls and junior women will perform yoga, acrobatics, aerobics and dance to the songs of Ewa Farna. In a nutshell, everything that the fairer sex loves.

The composition Leporello, which is six minutes and 45 seconds long, was prepared by the trio of authors Kateřina Machů, Karolína Stařecká (both members of Sokol Prague Vršovice) and Kateřina Karešová (member of Sokol Dvůr Králové nad Labem). We will learn more about the composition in an interview with Kateřina Machů, who performed herself three times in the past Slets and who has worked since the last September as a methodologist for the Department of Versatility of the Czech Sokol Community and considers the composition to be the pinnacle of her “Sokol career” so far.

How was the composition born?

Originally, another author won the selection process, but she did not deliver her composition. The deadlines were already imminent, and as we all know each other well at Sokol, we were approached with the question if we had an idea. And by chance I did have an idea, so it turned out like this.

What was the idea about?

Well, my first idea was to combine the song Leporello by Ewa Farna with the notion of working with a mat. I originally wanted the performance to be designed in black and white like a checkerboard, but later I realized I did not want it to be sad, but rather colorful. We were working on the choreography with Kája (Stařecká). Thanks to Sokolshe has been my big friend since our childhood and we complement each other. She did the yoga part and I did the aerobics part. Kačka (Karešová) contributed the most with the mats layout on the stage and with drawings demonstrating what shapes work for the composition if performed as a whole..

How important are Ewa Farna’s songs?

Extremely. Side by side with the song Leporello, there is another one called “Všechno nebo nic” (Everything or nothing), the lyrics of which correspond beautifully with the gymnasts’ movements. The other two songs were added by us later on. In the end we chose the songs “Tělo” (The body) and “Na ostří nože” (On the knife’s edge). In a way, the composition is a celebration of the female body and motion as such. In spite of huge differences, each body is beautiful in its own way. The composition is not too technically demanding as far as the step variations are concerned, but it is remarkably feminine.

What will the audience see on the stage?

All the gymnasts will show certain yoga elements, some of them including acrobatic yoga bits. There will be a joint lift on display, and the gymnasts will engage their hips in the dance and aerobic sequences, which is meant to emphasize the femininity and grace of us all women. The performance progresses from the first slower section with yoga elements towards the final highly dynamic aerobic sequence.

The Leporello is much sought-after by the gymnasts, why is that?

The performance works well as a whole and regular practicing of the choreography strengthens and builds up the body. As for the choreography, it is worth mentioning that in the middle of the performance, a leporello is formed on the stage from the mats, interconnecting the individual composition parts with each other. At the same time, an interesting color contrast is revealed. Another amazing moment comes when colored circles are composed and the mats are unfolded.

Who is the composition designed for?

Teenage girls and younger women, by definition up to the age of 40 to 45. In reality, women who have been practicing in a long term and are able to master the choreography may naturally join in, even if they are 60 or so.

How is the composition gradually built to form the whole?

The leaders of district organizations go to nationwide meetings, where they receive additional information and feedback. The number of the Sokol Units rehearsing the piece together is gradually increasing, up to the number of 1600 gymnasts performing at Eden Stadium.

How did you manage to attract teenage girls?

It has proven successful to involve teenage girls in assistance during the practice sessions of younger Sokol members, which in turn awakens their own appetite for exercise. Our recent experience shows that if we get girls excited about movement and exercise to the music they follow on social networks, they become enthusiastic. However, attracting and maintaining gymnasts in this age category is a challenge for the whole Sokol organization.

You can watch a Czech TV report about the Leporello composition in Sokolský zpravodaj (Sokol Newsletter) HERE and basic information about the composition HERE.