Related events:
Thursday 16th of January 1969 (x) — Revolutionary student Jan Palach puts himself on fire as a political protest against the end of the Prague Spring
“Given the fact that our nations are on the verge of desperation and resignation, we have decided to express our protest and stir the sleeping conscience of the nation.” Palach died three days later in the Charles University Faculty Hospital. Tuesday 25th of February 1969 (-) — Revolutionary student Jan Zajíc commits suicide by self-immolation
Around 1:30 in the afternoon Zajíc walked into the passageway of the building at No. 39 on Wenceslas Square and ignited his chemical-soaked clothes. Zajíc was unable to run out of the door and collapsed and died in the hallway.
"Mother, father, brother, little sister! – When you read this letter, I will already be dead or close to death. I know what a severe blow my act will be to you, but don't be angry at me. Unfortunately, we are not alone in this world. I am not doing this because I would be tired by life, on the contrary, because I cherish it too much. Hopefully my act will make life better. I know the price of life and I know it is the most precious thing. But I want a lot for you, for everyone, so I have to pay a lot. Do not lose your heart after my sacrifice, tell Jacek to study harder and Marta too. You must never accept injustice, be it in any form, my death will bind you. I am sorry that I will never see you or that, which I loved so much. Please forgive me that I fought with you so much. Do not let them make me a madman. – Say hi to the boys, the river and the forest." |
