An open dialogue, "Chernobyl – Our Memory and Pain," was held at Brest State Technical University to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident. The event brought together students, faculty, and distinguished guests, including those directly involved in the disaster response and radiation safety.
The following delivered welcoming remarks and reminisced about the events of those years:
- Gennady Yegorovich Osipov, Chairman of the Brest City Council of Veterans of Special Risk
- Viktor Petrovich Khudonogov, Colonel of the Medical Service, member of the task force under the Council of Ministers of the Byelorussian SSR investigating the causes of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster
- Alexander Nikolaevich Melnik, Retired Lieutenant Colonel, participant in nuclear weapons tests on Novaya Zemlya
- Ivan Nikolaevich Shulga, Head of the "Valor. Honor. Fatherland" information and propaganda group of the Brest City Council of Veterans, Retired Lieutenant Colonel
The meeting's guests shared personal memories of serving in particularly dangerous conditions, spoke of the courage and dedication of the liquidators, and the difficulties faced in eliminating the consequences of the accident in the Byelorussian SSR. Particular attention was paid to the importance of preserving historical memory and passing on knowledge of the tragedy to the younger generation.
During the dialogue, it was repeatedly emphasized that the Chernobyl tragedy is not only a tragedy for Belarus, but also a tragedy for all humanity. The meeting participants emphasized that the main task of our time is to do everything possible to prevent similar disasters in the future, to develop a culture of safety and responsibility for the planet and future generations.
