Architectural competition for the modifications of Palach's birthplace

Birthplace of Jan Palach in Všetaty

Prague - The state has already taken over the birthplace of Jan Palach in Všetaty near Mělník into its ownership. The purchase contract has come into effect, and the house has been entrusted to the care of the National Museum. It plans to create a memorial for student Jan Palach, who self-immolated in January 1969 in Prague's Wenceslas Square in protest against the Soviet occupation. The museum will announce an architectural competition for modifications to the house in the coming weeks. The Czech Radio Radiožurnál (ČRo) reported this today on its website.
    "We have decided to pursue the path of building an original memorial that will be a certain work of art," said the director of the Historical Museum, Marek Junek, to the radio. The Ministry of Culture stated that the minister's advisory team is preparing documentation for the announcement of the architectural competition.
    The state purchased the house from owners who acquired it many years ago from the Palach family. According to earlier information, the state was to pay 1.7 million crowns for the house, which has not been inhabited for a long time and is in poor condition. The price was determined by an expert appraisal. Palach's memorial is expected to be established by 2018.
    Student Jan Palach self-immolated on January 16, 1969, in protest against the occupation of the country by Warsaw Pact troops and against how quickly people resigned to any resistance to it. In Prague, Palach's act is commemorated by a memorial plaque in the pavement of Wenceslas Square, another on the wall of the Faculty of Arts on Palach Square, and his grave in Olšany.