In the late eighties, the masses in Eastern Europe ceased to be "precisely docile and legible." With the emergence of a new type of crowd in central squares, disorganized and discontent, the mass gymnastic display lost its symbolical power. The body symbolics of choreographed displays of disciplined, strong, beautiful and young trainees was disenchanted by the body symbolics of the spontaneous crowd, who by much simpler means took over the role of representing society. It is the fate of the 1990 Czechoslovak Spartakiad, which best demonstrates the failure of mass gymnastics under Communism. The event was intended to prove ‘the ideological and political unity of our people, its determination for the defense and build up of socialism,’ and as argument against those, who ‘try to misuse the perestroika to change the regime.’ Despite the wooden language of the propaganda, radical changes were made in the choreography of the display. One of the leading organizers, for instance, proposed to use Mondrian’s abstract paintings as a basis for the choreography of the performances. By November 1989, the preparations for the 1990 Spartakiad were basically finished. More than eight hundred thousand trainees learned seventeen different displays. Despite considerable effort of the organisers, the 1990 Spartakiad became the only victim of the Velvet Revolution.

The story is not over yet. Despite political and social change, both contradicting the very basis of the symbolics and aesthetics of mass gymnastic display, the tradition of Sokol Slets has been revived recently. Based on the organizers and trainees that participated in Czechoslovak Spartakiads, the newly established Sokol movement organized two mass gymnastic displays, Slets, in Prague in 1994 and 2000. Despite their modest sized, hundreds rather than thousands of performers, both Slets were welcomed as representation of civil society by former dissident, Vaclav Havel.

The central slogan of the 1990 Czechoslovak Spartakiad.

Under the Leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia for the Further Development of Physical Education For Socialism and Peace!

Other slogans that can be used:

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia for the development of physical education, sport, and tourism.
Strengthen peace and socialism through physical education and work for homeland.
The Czechoslovak Spartakiad - expression of patriotism and internationalism.
Through the Czechoslovak Spartakiad for further development of physical education, sport, and tourism.
Through the physical education, sport and tourism for fulfillment of the tasks of the social and economic development of our society.
Czechoslovak Spartakiad – homage to the celebration [sic] of the 45th anniversary of the liberation of Czechoslovakia.