386:) made a routine investigation that ended quickly due to the "death of the culprit", followed by routine low-key surveillance of his friends and family, during which it intercepted Siwiec's last letter to his wife (delivered decades later). Overall, the authorities had little trouble suppressing the events, as none of the relatively few witnesses have shown any particular desire to make the event more widely known. There was some gossip about the incident, with most people considering it a suicide rather than an accident, but the reason for it was unclear, and no one connected Siwiec's dramatic actions to contemporary political events. As publicist
149:
170:
160:
452:
343:" as well as some leaflets, which he is said to have thrown around right before the incident, though neither attracted much attention, and both items are primarily mentioned only in the documents of the investigating secret police. He refused immediate help and shouted "I protest". He retained consciousness after the flames had been extinguished, giving brief statements, as well as later when he was transferred to a hospital (
507:, the director of the Polish section of Radio Free Europe, expressed a similar sentiment: "This was an unheard of human tragedy... The tragedy lay in that his sacrifice went completely unnoticed." In the same vein, Kavaliauskas interprets Drygas' movie as a critique of contemporary Polish society, saying that witnesses did not want to have this incident spoil their enjoyment of the festival on an otherwise "perfect day".
460:
208:. Although his act was captured by a motion picture camera, Polish press omitted any mention of the incident, which was successfully suppressed by the authorities. Siwiec prepared his plan alone, and few people realized what he tried to achieve with his sacrifice. His story remained mostly forgotten until the
366:
to publish any photographs or movies, so those aware of the incident did not bother recording it other than by accident, nor did any try to investigate it afterward. Most of the few photographs of the incidents have been destroyed or forgotten and lost. Siwiec was censored out of official photographs
398:
Siwiec's funeral in Przemyśl was well attended, but did not turn into a political manifestation; it was guarded by police, and secret agents spread rumors aimed at damaging Siwiec's reputation. His family reported that while some acquaintances were supportive and aware of Siwiec's true purpose, many
442:
four months later, on 19 January 1969, and after RFE received more information, which clarified the political statement that Siwiec wanted to make. The RFE broadcast about Siwiec aired in
February, March or April (sources vary) that year. If Palach became aware of Siwiec's actions, it would thus
295:
leaflets and asking his daughter to distribute them. According to health professionals, he was of sound mind, and fully rational, at the time of his suicide. Siwiec planned his self-immolation months in advance, writing out a last will in April, and leaving written and tape-recorded statements
437:
learned about the incident a few days or months (sources vary) after the incident but did not consider the message reliable nor newsworthy, as the broadcaster was also unaware of its political context. This changed only after the famous self-immolation of Palach in
430:
opposition movements and left messages and other documents which helped publicize their activities; Siwiec worked alone and so the Polish anti-communist opposition with which he identified with was not aware of his action and the meaning behind it until much later.
31:
499:"Felix" prize for "Best Documentary" that year. Drygas, who is credited with reconstructing and popularizing Siwiec's story, remarked that compared to other similar incidents of that time, such as the self-immolations of Palach or
347:), where he was able to communicate with the medical personnel, and where he received a brief visit from his wife. In the hospital, he was put under police surveillance, dying four days later on 12 September.
1369:
1105:
510:
Memorial plaques dedicated to his memory exist in Warsaw, Dębica and Przemyśl. A bridge in Przemyśl, where he lived, was named after him in 1991, as well as a street in Prague in front of the Czech
371:(Centralna Agencja Fotograficzna), which had a monopoly on issuing photos for the press in the era of communist Poland. His act was captured in a 7-second film by a motion picture camera of the
1349:
522:, was named for him in 2011, and an obelisk was installed in his memory. Nonetheless, as noted by Kavaliauskas in 2010, he still is less known than other self-immolators of his time.
362:
Despite many attendees at the festival, there were relatively few witnesses, and the incident did not cause any delay in the main proceedings. Journalists and others knew that they
1364:
379:
of the festival omitted any mention of the incident. This footage however survived, mislabeled either by accident or purpose, until it was rediscovered over twenty years later.
418:, first secretary of the Polish United Workers Party, the commotion he caused would have likely interrupted it and his message might have been witnessed more widely. Publicist
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877:
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The incident was immediately suppressed by the authorities. A story invented on the spot was that it was an accident caused by drinking vodka and smoking, or
267:, where he moved shortly after graduation. During World War II he escaped forced labour for the Germans by taking employment as a gardener and joined the
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turned away from them, either intimidated by the authorities or believing the stories that Siwiec had been drunk or mentally ill.
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wrote in his diary two days after Siwiec's death, "There are rumours about a self-immolation but none knows the reason for it."
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1162: : 3rd Class in 2006 (click on "Holders of the Order of the 3rd Class White Double Cross" to see the holders' table)
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According to friends and family, he had extensive historical knowledge and was deeply disillusioned with the reality of
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359:, aiming to divert interest to gossip and portray Siwiec as an irresponsible drunk. He was also declared mentally ill.
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220:. Since then, Siwiec has been posthumously awarded a number of Czech, Slovak, and Polish honours and decorations.
552:
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480:
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1071:
In the
Service of Propaganda: Polish Press Agency in the years 1944-1972: selection of documents and bulletins
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Through the efforts of his family and friends, information about Siwiec became known to the anti-communist
414:, have speculated that if he had chosen to act moments earlier, during a speech by Polish communist leader
1344:
1304:
913:
Transformations in
Central Europe between 1989 and 2012: Geopolitical, Cultural, and Socioeconomic Shifts
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327:. This method of protest was likely inspired by recent series of similar protests by Buddhist monks in
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595:
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W służbie propagandy: Polska
Agencja Prasowa w latach 1944-1972 : wybór dokumentów i biuletynów
514:, with a nearby memorial dedicated to him, unveiled in 2010. A street in Warsaw adjacent to the new
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Siwiec's timing has been described as unfortunate, as he chose to commit his act during a dance (
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1275:(1993). "Myśmy tej śmierci nie przemyśleli" [We Have Not Thought About This Death].
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406:), at which time his cry was muffled due to the sounds of an orchestra playing. Some, like
1159:
260:
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188:
92:
55:
1106:"Maciej Dyrgas - Hear My Cry - Full Resource Library of Films and Filmmakers from Poland"
962:
The Prague Spring and the Warsaw Pact
Invasion of Czechoslovakia, 1968: Forty Years Later
613:
538:
471:
opposition in Poland by the 1980s. A brochure about him was published in 1981. After the
530:
Following Drygas' movie, Ryszard Siwiec was awarded the following honours posthumously:
1259:(1993). "Dlaczego dramat został nie zauważony" [Why the Drama Went Unnoticed].
427:
762:
1293:
1225:. Instytut Pamięci Narodowej, Komisja Ścigania Zbrodni przeciwko Narodowi Polskiemu.
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814:[The Sun Was Blinding That Day... How The Movie About Siwiec Was Made]
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with a degree in philosophy. Siwiec worked as an accountant since the 1930s in
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323:. He set himself ablaze during one of the festival dances using a flammable
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30:
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51:
1043:"Usłyszcie mój krzyk! - w 45 rocznicę samospalenia Ryszarda Siwca / film"
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Siwiec's death foreshadowed the much better known self-immolation of
102:
73:
1132:"Warszawa będzie miała ul. Ryszarda Siwca i Rondo Unii Europejskiej"
458:
450:
628:, 1968 self-immolation in Kyiv in protest against the Soviet rule
503:, Siwiec death's is unique in how little attention it attracted.
667:
The Prague Spring and the Warsaw Pact
Invasion of Czechoslovakia
622:, Czech student's 1969 self-immolation in Prague, Czechoslovakia
601:
documentary film about
Badylak's self-immolation in 1980, Krakow
88:
1212:
8 September 1968: A Live Torche at the 10th-Anniversary
Stadium
463:
Plaque dedicated to Siwiec at the old 10th-Anniversary
Stadium
592:, Lithuanian student's 1972 protest self-immolation in Kaunas
455:
Obelisk on
Ryszard Sywiec Street next to the National Stadium
616:, political self-immolation in Jihlava, Czechoslovakia, 1969
16:
Polish accountant known for anti-communist self-immolation
1073:]. Wydawn. Akademii Świętokrzyskiej. p. 64=65.
586:, Czech student's 1969 protest self-immolation in Prague
287:. He supported the protesting students during the March
275:. Ryszard Siwiec married in 1945 and had five children.
812:"Było wtedy ostre słońce... Jak powstawał film o Siwcu"
1207:
8 września 1968 r: żywa pochodnia na Stadionie X-lecia
443:
have been due to word of mouth, rather than from RFE.
200:
resistance member who was the first person to die by
231:
four months later. Siwiec was the first person from
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108:
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84:
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37:
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965:. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers. pp. 121–122.
905:
903:
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897:
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1370:Recipients of the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk
422:noted that many other self-immolators like Czech
192:; 7 March 1909 – 12 September 1968) was a Polish
1350:Self-immolations in protest of the Eastern Bloc
512:Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes
954:
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670:. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers. p. xxv.
8:
1365:Commanders of the Order of Polonia Restituta
495:. The film won several awards including the
1214:]. Mowa Młodzieżowa Oficyna Wydawnicza.
610:, political self-immolation in Warsaw, 2017
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551:, Commander's Cross, awarded in 2003 by
475:, Siwiec became the subject of the 1991
311:taking place on 8 September 1968 at the
1243:[The Flame of Ryszard Siwiec].
880:[The Flame of Ryszard Siwiec].
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1130:Polskapresse Sp. z o.o. (2011-10-20).
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298:Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia
206:Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia
128:Maria Siwiec (m. 1945–1968; his death)
1010:[The First Self-immolation].
910:Tomas Kavaliauskas (20 August 2012).
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307:Siwiec obtained passes to a national
296:explaining his revulsion at both the
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1104:documentary film by Maciej Drygas.
704:. rp.pl. 2013-03-16. Archived from
212:, when it was first recounted in a
632:List of political self-immolations
537:, first class, awarded in 2001 by
335:. He had a banner with the words "
14:
516:Kazimierz Górski National Stadium
565:, 3rd Class, awarded in 2006 by
168:
158:
147:
1375:Czechoslovakia–Poland relations
916:. Lexington Books. p. 91.
759:"A biography of Ryszard Siwiec"
563:Order of the White Double Cross
543:President of the Czech Republic
535:Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk
166:Order of the White Double Cross
145:Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk
1:
1006:Krzysztof Kąkolewski (1993).
651:"Jan Palach - Living Torches"
1108:. Culture.pl. Archived from
351:Significance and remembrance
321:Polish United Workers' Party
289:1968 Polish political crisis
369:Central Photographic Agency
251:on 7 March 1909, under the
1401:
549:Order of Polonia Restituta
273:Polish resistance movement
233:Central and Eastern Europe
189:[ˈrɨʂartˈɕivjɛt͡s]
156:Order of Polonia Restituta
1325:University of Lviv alumni
1151:Slovak republic website,
959:M. Mark Stolarik (2010).
810:Maciej J. Drygas (1993).
664:M. Mark Stolarik (2010).
337:For our freedom and yours
28:
1320:Polish Austro-Hungarians
1241:"Płomień Ryszarda Siwca"
1222:Ryszard Siwiec 1909-1968
1063:Renata Piasecka (2007).
878:"Płomień Ryszarda Siwca"
520:10th-Anniversary Stadium
357:spontaneously combusting
313:10th-Anniversary Stadium
304:'s participation in it.
302:Polish People's Republic
259:. He graduated from the
255:of Poland, then part of
237:self-immolate in protest
78:Polish People's Republic
1018:: 60–62. Archived from
1008:"Pierwsze samospalenie"
826:: 63–67. Archived from
331:, most notably that of
204:in protest against the
1340:Polish Roman Catholics
1335:Polish anti-communists
553:Aleksander Kwaśniewski
464:
456:
382:Polish secret police (
1257:Jan Nowak-Jeziorański
571:President of Slovakia
518:, which replaced the
505:Jan Nowak-Jeziorański
462:
454:
384:Służba Bezpieczeństwa
373:Polish Film Chronicle
185:Polish pronunciation:
1219:Petr Blažek (2010).
497:European Film Awards
426:had cooperated with
412:Krzysztof Kąkolewski
291:in Poland, printing
1204:Wit Siwiec (1981).
1176:Usłyszcie mój krzyk
557:President of Poland
486:Usłyszcie mój krzyk
375:, but the official
247:Siwiec was born in
216:by Polish director
112:accountant, teacher
85:Cause of death
1380:Polish accountants
1355:Suicides in Poland
1315:People from Dębica
1277:Kwartalnik Filmowy
1261:Kwartalnik Filmowy
1187:Video of the event
1158:2016-04-13 at the
1045:. Solidarni2010.pl
1012:Kwartalnik Filmowy
820:Kwartalnik Filmowy
465:
457:
408:Tomas Kavaliauskas
388:Stefan Kisielewski
341:Honour, Fatherland
253:Austrian Partition
173:In memoriam (2006)
152:In memoriam (2001)
1330:Home Army members
1232:978-83-7629-114-7
1134:. Wiadomosci24.pl
1080:978-83-7133-286-9
972:978-0-86516-751-3
923:978-0-7391-7411-1
473:fall of communism
435:Radio Free Europe
420:Antoni Zambrowski
416:Władysław Gomułka
364:would not be able
271:(Home Army), the
239:of the invasion.
210:fall of communism
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333:Thích Quảng Đức
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279:Self-immolation
261:Lwów University
257:Austria-Hungary
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1251:: 78–97. 2005.
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1022:on 2013-09-21.
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888:: 78–97. 2005.
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1310:1968 deaths
1300:1909 births
1086:9 September
978:9 September
929:9 September
481:Hear My Cry
447:Recognition
196:and former
99:Nationality
1294:Categories
1138:2013-09-10
1116:2013-09-09
1049:2013-09-10
769:2012-03-05
712:2013-09-09
638:References
604:on YouTube
584:Jan Palach
469:Solidarity
424:Jan Palach
225:Jan Palach
194:accountant
44:1909-03-07
620:Jan Zajíc
377:newsreels
243:Biography
198:Home Army
1156:Archived
578:See also
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300:and the
265:Przemyśl
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