An individual against indifference – Všetaty

Fact of the Czech figure „Prague Spring – 1968″

Part of the „Dreaming about the democracy” topic

In Všetaty, Jan Palach’s birthplace has been transformed into a memorial that interprets the tragic act as a wedge that divided society and affected the fate of the family and the nation. On the Wenceslas Square in Prague there is also an unusual memorial to the 20-year-old student of the Faculty of Arts at Charles University on the pavement. It was there that Jan Palach doused himself with fuel and set himself on fire on 16 January 1969. Three days later he died of burns.

Why did Palach decide to commit such an absolute act? He was reacting to the growing numbness and resignation of society after the August 1968 occupation by the Warsaw Pact troops and wanted to rouse the Czechoslovak public to free action again. There were also a few supporters who repeated the suicide sacrifice or attempted it.

The shock of such an absolute act by a young man briefly awakened society from its apathy, but the constant pressure of the authorities, through repression, purges and persecution, dampened it again. But Palach’s deed was not forgotten. In January 1989, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary, a whole week of commemorative anti-communist demonstrations, called Palach Week, was held, which was already a precursor of the Velvet Revolution.