Charles University Pays Tribute to Self-Sacrifice of the 'Burning Man'












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            * Charles University Pays Tribute to Self-Sacrifice of the 'Burning Man'
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            On Friday, January 16th 2015, the Faculty of Arts of Charles University hosted the culmina

            of commemorative events to honour the 46th anniversary of the self-immolation of protestin
            Palach.
            Throughout the week of the anniversary of Jan Palach's death, the Student Council of the F

            organised a series of public events on the theme of Jan Palach's depictions in art, includ
            film critic Jan Kolář on the commemorative films 'Jan 69' and 'Burnt.' Kolář notes that Ja
            lives on within the Czech culture as a significant event symbolising the hope for change. 

            sacrifice is believed to this day by many to have represented the struggle against repress
            image of the 'burning man' continues to serve as an emblem of hope for those fighting agai

            regimes.
            Attendees to the event on Thursday 15th of January witnessed examples of Jan Palach in lit
            photography, and the Czech Centre of PEN International announced they will once again hold

            competition for high school students in honour of Jan Palach. Friday's commemorative cerem
            dedicated plaque in memory of Jan Palach at the Faculty of Arts building was attended by a
            organisations as well as the public, university staff and students who turned out to pay t

            bravery of a young man who found himself in desperation under oppressive rule in 1969. Thi
            hosted by CU Rector Professor Tomáš Zima, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Mirjam Friedová, Cha
            Academic Senate of the Faculty of Arts Jan Čermák, Vice-President of the Student Union Sár

            President of the Student Council of the Faculty of Arts Eva Marková.
            Rector Tomas Zima noted in his speech: 'I believe that Jan Palach belongs amongst the most
            those who fought against the authoritative communist regime in Czechoslovakia. We should a

            the face of his self-sacrifice, that freedom and democracy are not a certainty and we can 
            than we may think.'
            Jan Palach was not indifferent to the turmoil within his own country – indeed, he was an a

            to bring about and inspire change. Those who continue to honour Jan Palach's sacrifice are
            for their commemoration by the Rector. Mr Zima praised those citizens who, in modern Czech
            we take fundamental freedoms and rights for granted, remain aware of the fragility of huma

            recalling past struggles for a democratic nation. The speeches were evocative and humbling
            fashion many candles were lit and flowers laid at the plaque to ensure the self-sacrifice 
            man' 46 years ago is not easily forgotten.

            Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Associate Professor Mirjam Friedová, summarised the very reas
            important and even crucial to continue to respect Jan Palach's selfless reason for his imm
            had only one aim, no less than to show that it is necessary and possible to stand against 

            conformism and hypocrisy with one's personal bravery and sense of responsibility... He wan
            how significant it is to put your faith in goodness against evil. It is necessary to activ
            evil so that it does not win.'