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Folklor · Soubor Sokol

Sokol Ensemble

Czech folk dance and song since the 1950s: culture, tradition and community, at our celebrations and on stages across Argentina and Uruguay.

The Sokol Ensemble in traditional costume

Czech folk dances

Dancing to remember

The Sokol Ensemble (Conjunto Sokol) is the Czech folk dance and song group of Český dům. It was founded in the mid-1950s and ever since, wearing traditional costumes —the kroje— and performing to traditional music, it has kept alive the dances and songs our grandparents brought to Argentina.

The societies founded by Czech immigrants were places to share dreams, food and dancing. The ensemble carries on that tradition and represents the community at celebrations, parades and festivals.

Our history

Naše historie
  1. 1950s

    The ensemble is founded at the Unión Gimnástica Sokol Buenos Aires, in the capital, under the direction of Hanna Walentova.

  2. 1970s

    Ana Souchop takes over as director.

  3. Today

    The ensemble is based at the Český dům venue in Valentín Alsina.

Over its long history it has performed at many community celebrations and at gatherings of immigrant communities across Argentina and in Uruguay.

80+years old: most of our costumes

Costumes with a story

The ensemble’s costumes are originals: they were donated by the grandmothers of the community, and today they are worn by the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of the Moravians who settled in Argentina.

Most of them are more than 80 years old and of incalculable sentimental value.

Where to see us

Kde nás uvidíte

The ensemble dances at the traditional celebrations of Český dům, and often invites the audience to join in a dance.

  • Vinobraní Grape harvest festival

    Music, dancing and a traditional menu to celebrate the grape harvest.

  • Májová oslava May celebration

    The arrival of the Czech spring, with traditional dances and the burning of the witches (pálení čarodějnic).

  • Tardecitas Checas Afternoons at our venue

    Workshops, talks and a traditional dance by the ensemble that everyone can join.

  • Festivals and parades Community celebrations

    BA Celebra Colectividades, immigrant festivals, parades of traditional costumes and community gatherings across Argentina and in Uruguay, representing Český dům.

Sokol

Why “Sokol”?

Sokol means “falcon”. It was the name of the gymnastics and cultural movement founded in Prague in 1862 by Miroslav Tyrš and Jindřich Fügner, which became a symbol of Czech identity.

Immigrants took it all over the world, and in Argentina they founded their own Sokol societies. This ensemble was born in one of them, the Unión Gimnástica Sokol Buenos Aires, in the mid-1950s: hence its name.

Join us

Would you like to dance with us?

Whether or not you have Czech roots, if you enjoy traditional dance and song, come and meet us. Rehearsals take place at the Český dům venue in Valentín Alsina, and dates are announced on Instagram.