Advance news of this event was published by Lumír 1/1/1857, the source reporting that ‘The Czech besedas will this year be on Žofín [Island] on 26th January and 9th February. Beginning at 8 o’clock [pm].’ No further details were given by the source. ‘On Žofín’ would have referred to the Hall on Žofín Island. On 15/1/1857 the periodical reported that tickets for gentlemen to the Czech besedas could be obtained daily from 9am until 1 pm from the first floor hostelry at the Platýz. This was also related in an advertisement published in both Czech and German languages in Mercy’s Anzeiger 14/1/1857 and 15/1/1857. However, this source specified that the purchase time for tickets was daily between 10 and 1 o’clock. The newspaper then published on 22/1/1857 a new advertisement showing revised opening hours for ticket purchasing of 9am until 2pm. This was published again in Mercy’s Anzeiger on 23rd and 25th January.

Tagesbote aus Böhmen published identical advertisements as Mercy’s Anzeiger. The issues of Tagesbote dated 14/1/1857 and 15/1/1857 carried public notices announcing similarly the details for acquisition of gentlemen’s tickets to the event. Tagesbote aus Böhmen 17/1/1857 published a brief report in the section of daily news noting that ‘Gentlemen‘s tickets for the „Besedy“ taking place on 26th January and 9th February in the Hall of the Žofín Island for the benefit of the Czech Theatre Foundation, are available daily in the Platteis, 1st floor, nr.2 from 10am.’

A review, signed ‘-r’, was published by Mercy’s Anzeiger 28/1/1857. This reported that this first annual Beseda was given the day before yesterday in the Žofín Hall for the benefit of the Czech Theatre fund. ‘The said venue was with tasteful elegance finely decorated, had an exceedingly numerous, select attendance, and a jovial atmosphere with the friends of dance... [continuing] until 6am. The Mayor, Dr. W. Wanka [Vanka] graced the Ball with a long speech. The second and last Beseda takes place on Monday 9th February.’

A brief, unsigned review of the first event appeared in Lumír 29/1/1857. The correspondent remarked that a ‘Numerous and select society attended the first Czech beseda on Žofín on 26th January, and were entertained until the early morning with delectable music from the newly organized ensemble of Sharpshooters, who were briskly and sprightly led by Mr Komzák. The great Hall and salon were gloriously and tastefully decked with red, white and blue drapes, and with multifarious flowers. In the centre of the hall stood in an enclosure under gold hangings great busts of our lordship His Majesty the Emperor, and adjacent Her Majesty the Empress Alžběta [Elizabeth], similarly bedecked. If this first beseda was already successful, the second will for certain be finer still.’