Socialistische Turnbond België

Collection

Holding institution (official language):: Amsab - Instituut voor Sociale Geschiedenis

Creator/accumulator:: Socialistische Turnbond van België; Fédération Socialiste de Gymnastique de Belgique

Scope and content:: In no. 51.615 we find (copies) of the periodical JASK. Orgaan van de Joodsche Arbeiders Sportclub, issues no. 2 (June 1st, 1936), 3 (October 1st, 1936) and 4 (November 1936). In no. 54.652a we note a (photocopy of a) letter in which JASK requests accession to the STB (1936).

Administrative/biographical history:: The Socialistische Turnbond van België - Fédération Socialiste de Gymnastique de Belgique (STB)(‘Socialist gymnastics union of Belgium’) was founded as an umbrella organisation in 1904 in Charleroi by eight socialist gymnastics associations. The gymnastics associations fiercely resisted the centralisation efforts of the Belgian Labour Party. These conflicts resulted in splits of certain associations (including the Antwerpse Socialistische Turngouw) and the STB had to be re-established in 1927. Eventually the STB regained full autonomy. The ‘communautarian’ tensions within the organisation led to structural reforms (1962) and eventually to the creation of a separate Dutch-speaking and French-speaking section, headed by the national STB (1977). The STB always remained the smallest of the Belgian gymnastics federations, despite a continuous increase in membership. In 2000 the STB united 249 associations, totalling approximately 24,192 members. (M. de Gendt, “Socialistische Turnbond van België / Fédération Socialiste de Gymnastique de Belgique (1904-1919 ; 1927 - heden)”, in ODIS - Database Intermediary Structures Flanders (available on http://www.odis.be).)

Finding aids:: M. Vermandere, Plaatsingslijst van het archief van de Socialistische Turnbond België (STB), Antwerpen, Amsab-ISG; no date.