palach

Palach is a surname of Czech origin. The most widely known bearer of the name is Jan Palach (1948–1969), a Czech student who became a symbol of protest after self-immolating in Prague in January 1969 in response to the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia and the suppression of the Prague Spring. On January 16, 1969, Palach set himself on fire on Wenceslas Square; he died a few days later in a hospital.

Palach's act provoked widespread mourning and sparked public discussion about censorship, reform, and political life in Czechoslovakia. It contributed to the memory of the Prague Spring and is regarded by many as an important expression of dissent, though it did not avert the invasion. In the years since, Palach has been commemorated in various ways. Memorials, institutions, and streets bearing the name have been established in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and annual commemorations around January mark his death and funeral in public memory.

Palach’s action has remained a reference point in debates about protest, sacrifice, and moral responsibility within Eastern Europe. The surname Palach may refer to other individuals who bear the name.