The Lesson of Chernobyl: A Dialogue Through the Decades

Chernobyl is one of the largest man-made disasters in human history and a deep wound that still resonates in the destinies of people and the memory of generations. 40 years have passed, but its lessons remain relevant, reminding us of the price of mistakes and the power of human sacrifice.

A number of commemorative events were held at Zaporizhia Polytechnic University on the anniversary of the tragedy, which brought together teachers, students, scientists, and direct witnesses of those events.

The center of reflection was the hour of memory and reflection “Chernobyl – 40: Memory Uniting Generations”, organized by the Scientific Library together with the Faculty of Humanities and the Zaporizhia Humanitarian Vocational College. The event was opened by Vice-Rector Andriy Ivanchenko, emphasizing that preserving the truth about Chernobyl is the basis of our national resilience and responsibility for the future. This thought became the leitmotif of all subsequent meetings and conversations. A special atmosphere was created by the living testimonies of the liquidators – Anatoly Karpachov, Vasyl Zaikovskyi and Volodymyr Pidgorny. Their memories are personal stories of courage, pain and responsibility, which cannot be found in textbooks. They reminded: behind each date there are human lives.

The scientific dimension of the events was presented by teachers of the Department of Ukrainian Studies and General Language Training during the hour of memory and reflection “Chernobyl – 40: Memory that unites generations.” Professor Georgy Shapovalov analyzed the impact of the Chernobyl disaster on socio-political processes, and Associate Professor Volodymyr Chop addressed the topic of “Chernobyl childhood”, showing the tragedy through the prism of personal experience.

A strong emotional accent was the creative reflection of the writer Tetyana Tikhovskaya, whose novel “Anthill” was born from the personal experience of visiting the Exclusion Zone. Her speech combined documentary and artistic interpretation of the tragedy.

Young people actively participated in the dialogue. The informative reports of students of the Zaporizhzhia Humanitarian Vocational College Maria Rudenko, Yulia Ratova and Volodymyr Zhadchenko, prepared under the guidance of senior lecturer Halyna Syhyda and associate professor Iryna Spudka, were particularly impressive. They demonstrated a deep understanding of history, proving that the memory of Chernobyl lives not only in archives, but also in the minds of the new generation.

An important part of the event was the exhibition activities of the Scientific Library. The head of the sector and moderator of the event, Nataliya Fedko, familiarized the participants with documentary materials, the book exhibition “Chernobyl – a long trail of tragedy” and a video chronicle of the events. This combination of facts and vivid emotions created a space for deep rethinking.

The sincere words of Kateryna Bondarchuk, associate professor of the Department of Ukrainian Studies and General Language Training at Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University, added a special family warmth to the meeting. She shared a personal story about her native Zhytomyr region and loved ones whose fates were scorched by Chernobyl. This reminded everyone: the tragedy of 1986 is not just the pages of textbooks, but a living pain that still resonates in Ukrainian families.

A separate event within the framework of the commemoration was the meeting “Echo of Wormwood: A Conversation Through the Decades” in the “Living Book” format, where participants talked with liquidator Volodymyr Pidhorny and heard his professional view on modern challenges of nuclear safety.

The events were held with the active assistance of the student trade union committee and the student government of the Zaporizhia Polytechnic National University.

Chernobyl has no past tense. It shapes our present and responsibility for the future.