Page:The Czechs of Cleveland (1919).pdf/16

 pages of advertising free to the government,—as the English papers did not —and their support of every good cause is always wholehearted. They specialize, of course, in news from the home land, and through underground channels were often able to reveal Austrian conditions which were never officially acknowledged. In the establishment of the Czecho-Slovak Republic, their influence has been incalculable.

Important as is the present position of these papers, there can be no doubt that their future as Bohemian publications is distinctly limited. They are read by the old people and the newcomers. Of the young people who have grown up in this country, there are comparatively few who read Bohemian at all, and, without immigration, the clientele of these papers must necessarily decrease. Even among the older people, there are few who do not have a workable knowledge of English, but they cling to the news in Czech, because thus only are they sure of complete and perfect understanding. They can get the gist of a news item in English, but to read it in their own tongue, gives them assurance as to details and significance.

First Organization.

The first organization of Czechs in Cleveland was formed in May, 1862, as a branch of “Slovanska Lipa” (the Slavonic lime-tree), The lime-tree is the national tree of Bohemia, and this name was in Austria a subtle designation of race. On November 16, 1863, this little group of poor immigrants demonstrated their devotion to dramatic art by a performance which they staged in the fire-engine house on East 22nd street. This first performance was followed by others, and funds were accumulated for a community hall which in 1871 was built at the corner of Croton avenue and East 40th street, and named “Slovanska Lipa.” It is still in use for its original purpose, although it has passed into private ownership, and it is not now so popular as the newer and larger halls, which are more centrally located.

Dramatic Organizations.

Specialization developed early in “Slovanska Lipa,” and “Perun” was organized as its dramatic branch in 1866. Later this society broke away from the parent organization and built “Perun Hall,” also on Croton street. This hall is now a store room of the city fire department.

From that early time until the present there has been no intermission in the regular presentation of dramatic performances by Czech amateurs, although their number was very much reduced by the absence of all the young men during the great war.

The dramatic society “Tyl,” founded in 1881, is named for the great Czech playright, Josef Tyl, who introduced into one of his dramas the song “Where is my home,” (see page 56 [sic]) which has been adopted as the national hymn. The society “Tyl” has 60 members who take its purpose very seriously and produce a drama every month from October to May.

Almost every organization has its dramatic branch,—churches, lodges, sokols, and even the Bohemian Red Cross. The Czech language schools also drill the children in the drama, thus ensuring a degree of familiar use of correct language. The play “Krakonos,” acted by the children of the Mt. Pleasant center in March, 1919, may be described as a type of these plays:

Krakonos is a hermit, having an enchanted garden, cultivated under his direction by dwarves, elves and crickets, who after the fashion of the stage do considerable dancing in intervals of hoeing and spading. In the second scene is shown the home of a poor