ŠIBŘINKY

Šibřinky – Fašiangová or Masopustní zábava – Mardi Gras or pre-Lenten Carnival, has been a Sokol Washington annual tradition for many years. Usually held in February, Šibřinky is an event at which our members and friends can enjoy live music and dancing, delicious traditional food, Pilsner on tap and great prizes! For the past few years we have been fortunate to have the group Pajtáši travel from New York to entertain us with Slovak, Moravian and Czech folk songs. So, come February, get ready to party! Put on your dancing shoes and don’t forget your costume or a mask – there is a competition and prizes are awarded!

The first Šibřinky sponsored by our Unit was held on January 23, 1960, in Coral Hills Hall, Coral Hills, Maryland. The costume theme was from Jirasek’s Lucerna. The Svitak Orchestra from Baltimore provided the music. This ball was such a success that it became an annual event. Each year it had a different theme – Around the World; Mardi Gras; Gypsy Baron; South Pacific – and at midnight short programs were put on by the Pepich Ballet School and Sokol Opera groups. Music was provided by either of the Czech orchestras, Svitak or Buddy Kaspar. Prizes for costumes were awarded in several categories. Over the years, Šibřinky has been held in numerous places, including the Naval Officers’ Club at the Navy Yard, Washington, DC; Knights of Columbus Hall, Bethesda, Maryland; Almas Temple, K Street NW, Washington, DC; and Patton Hall Officers’ Club, Fort Myer, Virginia. Šibřinky continued annually for 29 years, through 1989. After a long break, in 2006 our Unit revived this popular event and it continues to be enjoyed by many to this day. Since 2006 Šibřinky has been held at St. Luke Orthodox Church in McLean, Virginia.

Are you wondering what the word Šibřinky means? In old Czech, it describes what sounds to humans as the silly chatter among birds. As early as 1865, Sokols in Prague used this name to describe their Mardi Gras party – the time of silliness and merriment. The name caught on!