Why a Booktrail?
1986: Testimonies from those who survived the Chernobyl disaster
Chernobyl Prayer
What you need to know before your trail
In April 1986 a series of explosions shook the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. Flames lit up the sky and radiation escaped to contaminate the land and poison the people for years to come. While officials tried to hush up the accident, Svetlana Alexievich spent years collecting testimonies from survivors – clean-up workers, residents, firefighters, resettlers, widows, orphans – crafting their voices into a haunting oral history of fear, anger and uncertainty, but also dark humour and love.
A chronicle of the past and a warning for our nuclear future, Chernobyl Prayer shows what it is like to bear witness, and remember in a world that wants you to forget.
Travel Guide
Travel to Chernobyl – scene of the 1986 nuclear disaster
The disaster began during a test on 26 April 1986. When operators tried to shutdown the reactor, a much larger spike in power output occurred. Another spike led to a series of steam explosions. These events exposed the graphite moderator of the reactor to air, causing it to ignite.
The resulting fire sent long plumes of highly radioactive dust into the atmosphere for weeks after the actual explosion. An exclusion zone was established around the site and thousands of people were evacuated. This exclusion zone was increased as the wind changed direction several times making the situation even worse.
The accident raised the already heightened concerns about reactors worldwide. The subsequent government coverup led to glasnost, which is said to have paved the way for reforms leading to the Soviet collapse.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Chernobyl Prayer
Destination: Chernobyl Author/guide: Svetlana Alexievich Departure: 1986 onwards
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