THE SOKOL ORGANIZATION OF THE KINGDOM OF YUGOSLAVIA ACCORDING TO TURKISH REPUBLICAN ARCHIVES

The Sokol movement was initiated in 19th-century Czechoslovakia by Miroslav Tyrš with the aim of strengthening physical and national consciousness. Shaped by the principle of "a sound mind in a sound body," this movement fostered a sense of national identity and unity among Slavic peoples through physical education, gymnastics, cultural activities, and themes of solidarity. In Yugoslavia, Sokol organizations rapidly spread in regions such as Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia in the early 20th century. During the Kingdom of Yugoslavia era, the organization unified under a centralized structure, supporting the physical, spiritual, and cultural development of society. The activities organized by the organization in the fields of sports, culture, and education enabled the participation of broad masses. In particular, physical education facilities and symbols formed the Sokol identity and contributed to national solidarity and educational policies. From its inception, the Sokol Organization of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia attracted significant attention not only within the borders of Yugoslavia but also internationally, frequently appearing in the correspondence and press of the official authorities of the Turkish Republic. The structure, functioning, and activities of this organization were extensively discussed in the press organs of the period; it particularly stood out for its role in fostering national consciousness and promoting social solidarity. Turkish officials, in their official correspondence and reports, evaluated the organization's impact on national identity building and its contributions to the physical, cultural, and spiritual development of the populace. This study aims to examine the importance of the Sokol Organization of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in the construction of national identity, its structure, and its effects on cultural awakening, utilizing the archives of the Republic of Turkey.