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Explore Slavutych: The Ukrainian City for Chernobyl Evacuees

Michael Montes05 mins

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A Tour of Slavutych, the Ukrainian City Built for Chernobyl Evacuees

Published 5:25 AM EDT, Sat August 17, 2019

<strong>City of ideas: </strong>'Slavutych is a city of new ideas,' says Boyko. 'I like our brand very much.' The city now hosts several annual art events, among them an international festival of film and urbanism poignantly named '86.'
City of ideas: ‘Slavutych is a city of new ideas,’ says Boyko. ‘I like our brand very much.’ The city now hosts several annual art events, including an international festival of film and urbanism poignantly named ’86.’
<strong>A new city:</strong> After the Chernobyl disaster of April 1986, some 45,000 people were left homeless. The Soviet Union created a new city for many of them -- Slavutych.
A new city: After the Chernobyl disaster of April 1986, some 45,000 people were left homeless. The Soviet Union created a new city for many of them — Slavutych.
<strong>Nuclear workers:</strong> Slavutych was needed to house workers for the three Chernobyl nuclear reactors that continued to operate for several years after the explosion. The plant was eventually closed in December 2000.
Nuclear workers: Slavutych was needed to house workers for the three Chernobyl nuclear reactors that continued to operate for several years after the explosion. The plant was eventually closed in December 2000.
<strong>Place on the map:</strong> Khrystyna Belchenko, who works in Slavutych's museum says there were three criteria for building the new city: 'A distance of no more than 50 kilometers from Chernobyl power plant, the existing railway tracks and the unpolluted territory.'
Place on the map: Khrystyna Belchenko, who works in Slavutych’s museum, says there were three criteria for building the new city: ‘A distance of no more than 50 kilometers from Chernobyl power plant, the existing railway tracks, and the unpolluted territory.’
<strong>Fast work:</strong> It took just two years to construct Slavutych. 'The city is often called the last monument to the Soviet Union,' says Belchenko.
Fast work: It took just two years to construct Slavutych. ‘The city is often called the last monument to the Soviet Union,’ says Belchenko.
<strong>Hasty departure: </strong>Those evacuated from Pripyat, the city near Chernobyl, were told they would be able to return after a few days. But no one came back to live there. These abandoned possessions are on display in the Slavutych museum.
Hasty departure: Those evacuated from Pripyat, the city near Chernobyl, were told they would be able to return after a few days. However, no one came back to live there. These abandoned possessions are on display in the Slavutych museum.
<strong>Lost youth: </strong>Tatyana Kuznetsova, right, was 11 years old when she was evacuated from Pripyat, settling in Slavutych two years later. She says the Chernobyl disaster robbed her of her part of her childhood.
Lost youth: Tatyana Kuznetsova, right, was 11 years old when she was evacuated from Pripyat, settling in Slavutych two years later. She says the Chernobyl disaster robbed her of her childhood.
<strong>Tragic reminder: </strong>Those who moved to Slavutych still live in the shadow of the Chernobyl tragedy. This monument to those who died in the blast and its immediate aftermath is the scene of regular vigils for those who perished.
Tragic reminder: Those who moved to Slavutych still live in the shadow of the Chernobyl tragedy. This monument to those who died in the blast and its immediate aftermath is the scene of regular vigils for those who perished.
<strong>Helping hands:</strong> This monument in Slavutych namechecks the capitals of the Soviet nations that came together to build the city. Different countries were tasked with building the city's different neighborhoods.
Helping hands: This monument in Slavutych namechecks the capitals of the Soviet nations that came together to build the city. Different countries were tasked with building the city’s various neighborhoods.
<strong>Architectural kaleidoscope: </strong>The majority of building designs were borrowed from other Soviet cities because of the lack of time to create something new. This building has traditional Georgian motifs.
Architectural kaleidoscope: The majority of building designs were borrowed from other Soviet cities due to the lack of time to create something new. This building features traditional Georgian motifs.
<strong>Azerbaijan artwork: </strong>A Soviet mosaic panel in Bakinsky quarter of Slavutych -- Azerbaijan's contribution to the city.
Azerbaijan artwork: A Soviet mosaic panel in Bakinsky quarter of Slavutych — Azerbaijan’s contribution to the city.
<strong>High standards: </strong>When it opened its doors in 1988, Slavutych had one of the highest standards of living in the Soviet Union.
High standards: When it opened its doors in 1988, Slavutych had one of the highest standards of living in the Soviet Union.
<strong>Difficult journey: </strong>Making the transition to Slavutych wasn't easy for many evacuees. 'During the first year [of living here] I hated Slavutych and wanted to leave it as quickly as possible,' says Tatyana Kuznetsova.
Difficult journey: Making the transition to Slavutych wasn’t easy for many evacuees. ‘During the first year [of living here] I hated Slavutych and wanted to leave it as quickly as possible,’ says Tatyana Kuznetsova.
<strong>Tough times:</strong> The collapse of the Soviet Union, political turmoil in Ukraine, and the closure of Chernobyl -- the main workplace of most of Slavutych's population -- has been hard on the city.
Tough times: The collapse of the Soviet Union, political turmoil in Ukraine, and the closure of Chernobyl — the main workplace for most of Slavutych’s population — has been challenging for the city.
<strong>A new beginning:</strong> Today, Slavutych seems to be renewing itself. Tetyana Boyko, the head of the department of information in the city council, says the city struggled at first to find its feet but is now striving to become an open-minded center for innovation and artistic creativity.
A new beginning: Today, Slavutych seems to be renewing itself. Tetyana Boyko, the head of the department of information in the city council, indicates that the city struggled initially to find its feet but is now striving to become an open-minded center for innovation and artistic creativity.

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