Prague 1 District Mayor Terezie Radomerska commemorated the legacy of Jan Zajic, a student who self-immolated in Prague’s Wenceslas Square 55 years ago, emphasizing his sacrifice for the freedom and future of the Czech nation. The commemorative gathering held yesterday paid homage to Zajic’s inspiring act of defiance against the oppressive communist regime.

Zajic, a student from Sumperk’s secondary technical school in the Olomouc Region, tragically ended his life on February 25, 1969, in protest against the hardline communist rule and the societal apathy prevailing after the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August 1968.

During the ceremony, representatives of Prague 1 District laid white roses at a monument near the National Museum, as well as at the memorial plaque on the house in Wenceslas Square where Zajic performed his fateful act, symbolizing their respect for his courage and conviction.

Mayor Radomerska, from the TOP 09 party, emphasized the enduring significance of Zajic’s profound love for the nation and his unwavering commitment to freedom, asserting that such heroes should be commemorated across generations.

Zajic’s self-immolation echoed the earlier protest of Jan Palach, a fellow student who sacrificed himself for similar ideals in January 1969. Zajic attended Palach’s funeral and participated in a hunger strike as a form of protest. Notably, Zajic deliberately chose the anniversary of the 1948 communist coup to make his statement.

In his farewell letter, Zajic eloquently articulated his motivations, citing the perceived failure of Palach’s sacrifice to effect lasting change and lamenting the gradual erosion of national freedom. Identifying himself as “Torch No. 2,” Zajic implored his compatriots not to succumb to external dictates and to safeguard their sovereignty and dignity.

The commemoration of Jan Zajic serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of courage and resilience in the face of oppression, inspiring future generations to cherish and defend the hard-won freedoms of the Czech nation.

Article by Prague Forum