Kharkov

The matter is, as we entered the zone for the first time, of course we had creeps and willies. Because you were going into uncertainty. Take me, for example: I've been everywhere, I've seen everything in my life – but nothing of the kind! So, I had a sinking heart. But after two or three days – got back to normal, got accustomed. (…) There was no sense of tragedy. Moreover, it wasn't like today – now you can get as much information as you like, any time you like. And in those days all we had was Soviet TV and radio. And also radiation – it was Soviet, too...

Nikolay

Valeryevich

Yemelyanov

“We've been working on the reactor! We are all a bit excited at the moment. You must drive us soft and steady! So we don't feel no bumps no hollows. We must travel and relax!”,- they said. But I was used to driving at good speeds at that time, and of course there were bumps and hollows, and the bus jerked a bit as I switched the gears.

Nadezhda

Panteleyevna

Boyko

What struck me right away was threadbare cats and bare, featherless chickens. And a funny sag in their spines – ugly creatures, generally speaking. The nature was just raging – all in bloom, gorgeous flowers. But what struck your eye right away was abandonment, calm and quiet. No cows, no sheep, no people...

Vadim

Valentinovich

Alexeyev

Well, now, let's say, the Japanese people – seem to be a very clever nation, terribly clever, but all the same they, too, did have that explosion at the nuclear station. Look at that – them, of all people! I can understand it happening here – because it's all, like, “Vanya, Petya! Go get the hammer! Move on!” and on you go...But the Japanese – no, I think, it doesn't work like that with them. And yet, and still – their station blew up. And the water from the reactor is going to the see now! And that means they are up the hole – they've screwed it up! Yes, they might be very clever – but not clever enough to stop it somehow. 'cause it's a chain reaction – it's going on and on and on and on and on and on – and there's no stopping it.

Chernobyl history workshop