The documentary exhibition «Echo of Chernobyl: 40 Years Later» opened at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus

On April 25, 2026, the documentary exhibition «Echo of Chernobyl: 40 Years Later» opened at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus. Developed by the National Archives of the Republic of Belarus (hereinafter NARB) and the Belarusian State Archive of Film, Photo, and Sound Documents, it was timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant disaster.

On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident occurred. A scheduled 20-second reactor shutdown appeared to be a routine electrical check. However, a few seconds later, a sudden power surge triggered a chemical explosion, releasing approximately 520 types of hazardous radionuclides into the atmosphere.

The Chernobyl accident forced the world to take a new look at technological progress. The consequences of the tragedy—not only socioeconomic and environmental, but also spiritual—are still being felt, and the echoes of the Chernobyl disaster will resonate for decades to come. That’s why the story of this tragedy and the story of overcoming its consequences deserve to be known and remembered.

The NARB collection contains decrees, reports, reports, minutes of meetings, and decisions of the Government Commission for the Elimination of the Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident; documents on the resettlement of populations from contaminated areas, the health status of victims, and the provision of international assistance in connection with the accident. Of particular interest are also documents on historical and cultural treasures found in contaminated areas.

V.G.Mazets, PhD in History and a leading researcher at the NARB, introduced employees of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus to the exhibition.

1. Documentary exhibition “Echo of Chernobyl: 40 Years Later” at the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus

2. Leading researcher at the National Archives of Belarus, PhD in History V.G.Mazets introduces archival documents to ministry staff

3. Leading researcher at the National Archives of Belarus, PhD in History V.G.Mazets introduces ministry staff to archival documents

4. Archival documents on display