It has been 54 years since philosophy student Jan Palach committed self-immolation at Prague’s Wenceslas Square. A student of Charles University, Palach’s demonstration was a protest in response to the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia and the Warsaw Pact. In a letter he wrote, Palach stated his sacrifice was in demand of the abolition of censorship and a ban on the distribution of a Soviet newspaper, Zpravy, which spread propaganda in support of occupation and communism.
In the days following Palach’s immolation, a hunger strike took place in Wenceslas Square. Students gathering in support filled the square, a peaceful stand in support of Palach’s message. It began a series of protests sweeping through Prague and eventually Europe.
Palach Week January 1989 Source: The National Security Archive
Palach died on Jan 19, 1969, just 3 days after his demonstration. His funeral was attended by thousands. Following his death, sculptor Olbram Zoubek took a cast of Palach’s face, also known as a death mask. The mask was originally meant to create a bust of Palach but was instead used to create a metal placard that is displayed at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University
Remaining a symbol of resistance after his death, Palach’s grave became a pilgrimage. Considering it a threat to communism, in July of 1973 his bronze headstone was removed and melted down. By October of that same year, the Palach family was pressured by the secret police to exhume Palach’s body and have him cremated. The grave was not restored until 1990. It has since returned as a symbol of the fight against communism.
In January of 1989, a week-long demonstration, known as “Palach Week”, signaled the end of totalitarian rule. Palach Week has continued to be observed today, the lasting impression seen in both the Czech Republic and across Europe.
Source: IMDB
Many memorials of Palach have been erected since 1969, both across the Czech Republic and Europe. An engraved cross currently lies built into the square where Palach committed the act. Many cities have honored Palach with streets, rivers, and squares named after him. Post-Velvet Revolution, several high schools and even elementary schools also took to honoring his name. Many of these memorials are the site of countless commemorative events and celebrations such as silent marches and vigils every year.
A film, released in 2018, was made about Jan Palach and his captivating story. It was awarded Best film in the Czech Film Critics’ Awards 2018.
Written by: Kelsey McDade
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Modra, Katrina, ‘On 50th anniversary of Jan Palach’s death, new information about Czech martyr revealed’, Expats, 2019, https://www.expats.cz/czech-news/article/on-50th-anniversary-of-jan-palachs-death-new-information-about-czech-martyr-revealed, (Accessed January 18, 2023).
Blazek, Petr, ‘Memorial Places’, Jan Palach, https://www.janpalach.cz/en/default/mista-pameti/nm, (Accessed January 18, 2023).
Fodor, Anna, ‘“He wanted to wake up our citizens”: Jan Palach remembered’, Radio Prague International, 2023, https://english.radio.cz/he-wanted-wake-our-citizens-jan-palach-remembered-8772379, (Accessed January 18, 2023).