• Orchestra of the Prague Sokol Gymnastic Society: participating orchestra

The Czech-language arts periodical Lumír 1/1/1863 reported that the ‘Great National Beseda [Velká národní beseda] during Lent will be on 9th February in the Žofín Hall the band of the gymnastic society Sokol. The musical rehearsal will take place on 18th January.’ Later that month, on 15/1/1863 Lumír reported that the ‘Committee of the National Beseda, which takes place on 9th February in Žofín Hall, has decreed that the clear profit from the Beseda will be dedicated to the Industrial Museum in Prague.’ Lumír 22/1/1863 published an entreaty that for the Beseda of 9th February ladies would be modest in their costumes and instead donate to the benefit cause of the Industrial Museum.

The Tagesprogramm daily almanac of Prague social events published in Bohemia 9/2/1863 announced: ‘Evening in the Žofín Island Hall: National Beseda.’

Národní listy 10/1/1863 reported in its section of daily news that the ‘Committee of the National Beseda [Národní beseda], which will take place on 9th February in Žofín Hall, has decided that the clear profit from the beseda will be dedicated to the Industrial Museum in Prague.’ Advertisements were published by Národní listy 17/1/1863, 18/1/1863, 20/1/1863, 22/1/1863 and in subsequent issuues up to the date of the event relating to ticket sales for the occasion. These identical sources announced: ‘National Beseda. Office of the committee of the National beseda (9th February 1863), is located „at the Blue Star“ second floor nr.75 and is opened daily from 2 to 4pm. Committee.’ On the day of the Beseda, Národní listy 9/2/1863 reported ‘Great National Beseda takes place this evening on Žofín. As we are aware, for this there have come to Prague many guests from all corners of our dear land.’ This announcement was followed immediately on the same page of the newspaper by a second report, relating ‘National Beseda, which takes place today in the Žofín Hall, will remain in memory in that it is given for the benefit of the Industrial Museum, the institution that perhaps will be the most important of our national institutes, and for which the day will be accorded the greatest sympathy.’ The source went on to comment it was expected that a large proportion of contributions would be donated by the fairer sex.

A substantial, unsigned, review of this event was published by Národní listy 10/2/1863. The correspondent reported that the: ‘Great National Beseda came of excellently. The attendance plentiful, entertainment lively, hearty – truly Czech. Throughout the venue is very tastefully, even magnificently decorated. The large hall glittering in white; windows hung with long white, over which were red pelmets with gold fringes. The gallery columns are covered with white fleecy fabric and around them wound vines. Windows under the galleries are also draped with white fabric with star patterns whose centres are gold. In the middle of the alcoves of the large hall are found artificial fountains between the fiery lilies and bushy greener, behind which could be seen beautiful country vistas. In the middle of both side windows are flowers in white vases. Above the stove from both sides of the door entrance [Nad kamny z obou stran vchodu] peep little cupids partly clothed in flowers. In the corridor between the two halls stands a wreathed bust of Karel Havlíček. The little hall is likewise clad tastefully in blue, only the columns are white with on them wicker [hanging] baskets of cultivated flowers. The buffet was half concealed with curtains of with golden stars. In the middle of the alcoves of the main wall lie baskets of floral urns designated for voluntary contributions to the Industrial Museum, into which, as we have seen, our fair sex copiously give gifts. The ladies’ national attire, very elegant although simple, wis predominantly white. Of esteemed guests we noted Messrs Palacký, Rieger, Brauner, Klaudy, Prince Taxis and many other deputies; Princess Taxis, Mrs Světlová; Count Clam-Martinic, Harrach jnr, Černín. About 9pm arrived His Excellency the Vice-President Governor Kellersperg accompanied by Counsellor Neubauer. The excellent Sokol musical exhilirated the imagination of all. As we write this, the whole society is still in the flood of the entertainment. – We give further news tomorrow.’

The following day’s issue of Národní listy, published on 11/2/1863, gave more news of this event as well as a more detailed description of the background to dance in Prague musical life during the Carnival season: ‘Great National Beseda [Velká národní beseda]. This year’s Carnival passed in the night of the 9th to the peak of its brilliance on the 10th  and hurried with quick steps to its impending conclusion. Still some private balls [domácích plesů], some redouts, and our dance-obsessed youth will again run off from the great hall of Žofín into the little rooms of our dance masters, from the noisy balls to the quiet dance lessons. However whatever the tail-end of Carnival has still to bring, it will always be of only slight interest to a limited circle; it is lost [to people] in general. Our great public drank already the last and most delicious draught of the hedonistic Carnival on Monday night gathered together in plentiful number in the National Beseda. This Beseda, once the one great central focus of Czech society, has lost none of its significance when our rapidly developing sense of nation has found greater and other paths to exhibit its influence in social life. The National Beseda has become with the Czech public a true necessity of the Carnival [season], which it would not be possible to replace with any surrogate event. We have the Ball of Czech Lawyers and other lesser and greater entertainments, but none can supplant the beseda which has certain features are not possible to be arbitrarily adopte by other balls. This year’s beseda was truly and worthily the equal of past ones – national as always, magnificent as always and full as always. Already yesterday we issued brief news about it, and still without something to add here and there.’ The correspondent then proceeded to draw attention to the enthusiastic female patronage of the event, in particular to their support and contribution to the benefit cause of collecting funds for the Industrial Museum. Among the dancers it was noted that čamara (national dress) were greatly in evidence, ‘only some gentlemen the greater part of whom were older came in tailcoats.’ In addition to the guests noted in the previous day’s report as attending, also present were the councillors Sladkovský, Professor Šembera, Zelený; then Mrs Braunerová, director Vávra, [Mr] Skrejšovský. All parts of society were numerously represented. Many danced to the exhilirating music of  „Sokol“ and quite comfortably so although the hall was full; for which it is fitting to thank with complete approbation the singular efforts of the members of the Committee, who themselves arranged everything, especially for the very tasteful and splendidly decorate Halls and the exemplary orderliness. That immediately following the first part, as soon as there came the interval, smoking began in the eating area, it was not stood for; the tremendously impatient smokers had to give way. – Of the dances the [hitherto] un-danced  „Beseda“ gained the greatest attention, which this evening was danced for the first time in a great Ball. Many couples danced it and liked it so much that it had to be repeated. – The first dance opened the president of the Committee Dr Musil with Miss Hulešová, after which were other members of the committee attired in very tasteful dance costumes of red emblazoned with white Czech lions. – The whole company continued after midnight revelling in the lively, heartfelt entertainment. Only at 5am the sounds of the last Sousedská died away and the last couples left Žofín Island.’

The review published by Lumír 12/2/1863 related that the occasion raised a total of 242zl 90kr. The attendance was described by the Lumír correspondent as ‘numerous’, although not so great as during previous years. The ladies were dressed ‘in national costume’, and the gentlemen in ‘čamara’ (lace-braided waistcoats regarded as traditional national dress). The event continued into the following morning. The review published by Národní listy 10/2/1863 headed its detailed report with an affirmation that the ‘Great National Beseda came off excellently. The attendance was very plentiful, the entertainment lively, hearty - truly Czech.’

Prager Morgenpost published no advance news about this specifically Czech orientated event but did publish a brief report following the event in its issue dated 11/2/1863. This, signed ‘–o.’, noted: ‘Czech „National beseda“ [Čechische „Nationalbeseda“]. The Beseda which took place the night before last in the Žofín Island Hall was graced by the presence of His Excellence the State Governor Vice-President Baron Kellersperg. In addition the Ball guests included His Excellency the Count Clam-Martinitz, Count Harrach, Count Ottokar Černin, His Highness Prince Thurn-Taxis, the Deputies Dr Palacky, Dr Rieger, Dr Brauner, Dr Klaudy, Sladkovsky and Sladkovsky and various others.’ A far more substantial review was published by Prager Morgenpost of the Germanically orientated Turnerball that took place in the much smaller Spa Hall in the Little Quarter on the following evening.

None of the specified periodical reports listed any of the dance works that were performed at this beseda.