Local Reflections on the Chernobyl Disaster 35 Years Later: Peripheral Narratives from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and Bulgaria

Abstract On 26 April 1986, the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Soviet Ukraine led to a massive disaster, the consequences of which affected millions of people in northern and eastern Europe. Today, 35 years later, we recall it not only as one of the greatest catastrophes in the history of nuclear power but also as one of the main political preconditions or factors that led to the end of the USSR. This paper presents the initial stage of a comparative study on the memories of this disastrous event among Ukrainians, Belarusians, Russians, and Bulgarians living on the periphery of the affected zone. The aim is to trace diverse aspects of public reflection in connection with people’s awareness and the degree to which they were affected, the reactions to the disaster, its effects and consequences, the preparedness of the population, and the latter’s assessment of post-disaster management.