An open dialogue with young people dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster was held in Molodechno

In anticipation of the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, a meeting with working youth from the city was held at the Zonal State Archives in Molodechno. The event was organized by the Molodechno District Committee of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM).

The program began with a tour of the archive’s storage facilities. Participants were able to see firsthand how and under what conditions documents of historical value to the region are stored.

Archive Director Inna Pudakevich spoke to the audience about the mission of modern archives: preserving documentary heritage for future generations. She noted that the archival industry today faces new challenges, including digital transformation, the implementation of electronic document management projects, and providing access to information online. However, the main objective remains unchanged: preserving original documents, which form the foundation of historical memory. Speaking about the topic of the meeting, Inna Pudakevich emphasized that archival documents allow us to preserve the truth about those days, the heroism of the liquidators, and the fates of people forced to flee their homes. The memory of Chernobyl is our duty to those who, at the cost of their own health, saved others.

Maria Mechkovskaya, an archivist in the Department of Document Use and Publication, gave a presentation based on documents from the Zonal State Archives in Molodechno and the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus. Her presentation highlighted specific facts and testimonies reflecting the scale of the disaster and its consequences.

The meeting concluded with a screening of the documentary film «Chernobyl: Chronicle of a Tragedy» by the BGAKFFD.

Artem Voitekhovich, Chief Specialist of the Molodechno District Committee of the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM), expressed his desire for further cooperation, as only through joint efforts can we convey to the younger generation the truth about the tragic pages of history and the importance of preserving documentary heritage.

Pictured: During the event