“The procession will consist of historical flags, historical and current costumes and, of course, gymnasts and Sokols from Australia, Canada, USA and also Sweden, England, France and Austria,” said Miroslav Vrána, chief of the Czech Sokol Community. Other participants will be Sorbian- Lusatians, Slovks, Sokols from Croatia and from Odessa. “I’d like to mention that Sokols are on all the continents,” added M. Vrána. A platform for guests of honour will be installed in náměstí Jana Palacha, on the steps beside Rudolfinum. Sokols are expecting a visit from both President Václav Klaus and the Mayor of Prague Bohuslav Svoboda
Programme of the day
Beside the parade, folklore ensembles will perform on the courtyard of Tyršův dům (Tyrš House). At 3 p.m., a mass will be served in St. Vitus Cathedral, celebrated by the Cardinal Dominik Duka. In the evening a lantern procession will set off from Tyršův dům to Petřín View Tower. All these events can be attended by the general public. The following days will be dedicated to practice and to cultural programme. The culmination of the celebrations will be the XV All Sokol Slet – programme on Thursday and Friday, with collective exercise in Synot tip Arena.
Traffic restrictions on the day of the parade
Meeting place of the parade as from 8.00 h to 11.30 h in Wenceslas Square and partly in na Příkopě. The route leads via 28. října St., Národní třída, Smetanovo Embankment, Křižovnická St., Jan Palach Square, Široká St., Pařížská St. to the Old Town Square.
From 10.00 to 12.30 h the following areas will be closed to traffic Národní, Široká, Pařížská. The traffic will always be restricted 15 minutes before the head of the parade reaches the given junction and will reopen 10 minutes after the procession has passed.
