The Life & Suicide Of Czech Student Jan Palach At The End Of The Prague Spring
(with forward which includes euromost site dedication in Jan Palach's Memory)
 |
|---|
Related Pages:
|
||
Site Dedication To Jan Palach
Somethings you never forget. I can remember where I was when John Kennedy was assasinated and when Apollo landed on the moon. I also remember hearing the news of the Soviet Invasion of Czechslovakia whilst on holiday in Kent.
More disturbing several months later, at the age of 14 were the black and white pictures of Jan Palach burning alive in Wenceslas Square Prague. Jan Palachs' protest at the ending of 'The Prague Spring' ended with his death three days later. 750,00 people went to the funeral. I could not - but vowed one day to place flowers on the spot where this happened in his memory.
My wish was fulfilled thirty two years later on the first of several visits to Prague and visits to other cities in Eastern Europe followed. Prior to these trips my an interest in places was historical and political - but actually being there' became the inspiration for producing an online information guide and euromost.info was born. Thus this site is dedicated to the memory of Jan Palach. Related feature: About Us.
The Life Sucide And Death Of Jan Palach
Jan Palach was born in 1948, the son of parents who owned a sweet business which was siezed the same year by the Communist regime. His mother then worked in a shop and his father a factory until his death when Jan was 13 years old.
He joined the Prague School of economics during the 'Prague Spring' in 1968. On August 21st, Soviet led Warsaw Pact forces, crossed the Czech border and forcibly evicted the liberal and reforming Czech Government.
In the autumn Jan Palach transfered to Charles University to combine history with his economic studies. There he and his peers actively protested against the Soviet Invasion in the summer. In the new year he continued his studies until Jan 16th when at dusk he went to Wenceslas Square.
He stood on the incline leading up to the National Museum, poured petrol over himself and set himself on fire. He collasped in the road and was taken to hospital with 85% body burns where he lived for three days.
Before this happened he left letters stating that he was doing this as a protest against the recent Soviet invasion. He died on January 19th and was buried on 25th. 750,000 people attended the funeral:
see also Czech Republic remembers Jan Palach today below
Video And Image Of The Funeral Of Jan Palach
video contribution from TG2 @ YouTube
Jan Palach Remembered Today
Close to the statute of Dvorak in front of the Czech National Museum at the highest point (top) of Wenceslas Square iembedded into stones is s the memorial below to Jan Palach.
photo courtsey of Wiki (useful link for related interest information)
Following the fall of communism and the 'Velvet Revoultion' in 1989 another memorial to the victims of communism was erected close by. Though the memorial (pictured below) does not specifically cite Jan Palach by name it has become a place of pilgrimage for many visitors to Prague who have been moved by his death. Many visitors leave floral tributes here:
photo courtsey of scott's europe