„Vzhledem k tomu, že naše národy se ocitly na pokraji beznaděje a odevzdanosti, rozhodli jsme se vyjádřit svůj protest a probudit svědomí národa.“
Given that our nations have found themselves on the brink of hopelessness and resignation, we have decided to express our protest and to awaken the national conscience. Our group is composed of volunteers who are determined to set themselves on fire for our cause. I had the honor to draw number one, and therefore I have earned the right to write these first letters and to make my appearance as the first torch.
Our demands are: 1) the immediate abolition of censorship 2) a ban on the distribution of Zprávy.* As you can see, our demands are not extreme, rather the opposite. If our demands are not met within five days, that is by 21. 1. 1969, and if the people do not come out in sufficient support of these demands (through an open-ended strike), another torch will go up in flames.
Torch No. 1
P.S.: I believe our nations will not need any more light. January 1968 started from above, January 1969 must start from below (if it is to start at all).
- Jan Palach: Letter “Torch No. 1” sent to the Czechoslovak Writers’ Union. January 16, 1969.
---
*Zprávy was an official publication issued by the occupation troops in Czechoslovakia at the time.