“Kindness”, one of the commandments of the Sokol pentalogue, is a central motive of the performance staged at the National Theatre as part of the Sunday ceremonial opening of the XVIIth All-Sokol Slet. Jirásek’s Lantern (Lucerna) will be performed under the direction of Bohumil Gondík by Divadlo pod Petřínem of Sokol Kampa together with other Sokol artists from Prague area, including several professionals.
This play by Alois Jirásek is mostly a fairytale about a proud and brave miller who fights with the manorial lords to preserve his rights and freedoms. The Sokol production attempts to expand this traditional story line by adding another dimension hidden in the work - love. Love, which is intertwining the entire Jirásek’s dramatic work like an Ariadne’s thread. Love, which is not perceived only as romance. Love for work, love of man for man, love of life. Simply put, love in all its forms. The Lantern actually is a sort of Czech Midsummer Night’s Dream. The letter “L” hides in it the Czech word for kindness - laskavost.
For Sokol members, kindness means to be open towards all who believe in their values. Sokol guides its members to modesty, to respect for others, to help to the weak and to mutual tolerance. It builds togetherness between generations.
For the first time, the ceremonial opening of a Sokol Slet took place on the stage of the sanctuary of Czech culture six years ago. The spectators then could see Ladislav Stroupežnický’s play Naši furianti (Our Loudmouths). The staging was directed by Bohuslav Gondík and performed by the Pod Petřínem Theatre, the Lázně Toušeň Theatre Company and the folk Ensemble of Songs and Dance of Josef Vycpálek. The audience was greeted by Silvia Hroncová, director of the National Theatre Opera and State Opera, and by the mayor of the Czech Sokol Community, Hana Moučková, who after the performance ending solemnly declared the XVIth All-Sokol Slet initiated.
The premiere of the theatre play on the occassion of the opening ceremony of the XVIIth All-Sokol Slet will take place on 27 January 2024 at the Pod Palmovkou Theatre.