Manuscripts

The Library has two major manuscript collections that relate to the Chernobyl disaster.

Revelations from the Russian Archives

The first collection is based on a 1992 exhibit held at the Library of Congress entitled "Revelations from the Russian Archives." The exhibit featured hundreds of once classified documents that were brought to light after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Touching upon several of the most pivotal moments in twentieth-century Russian history, the documents provided a fascinating "behind-the-scenes" look into the Soviet political apparatus. Included in this collection were several documents related to the unfolding drama of the Chernobyl disaster. Following the closing of the exhibit, the Library retained photocopies of the original documents in Russian. These copies remain in the European Reading Room where they can be requested. English translations of the documents are available in a volume published by the Library in 1997.

Revelations from the Russian Archives: Exhibit Publications from the Library of Congress

Cultural rescue in post-Chornobyl' Ukraine

The second manuscript collection is held in the American Folklife Center at the Library. It is a recorded presentation by Dr. Myron O. Stachiw of Roger Williams University. Dr. Stachiw discusses his field work in Ukraine studying the effects of the nuclear disaster on local culture.

The following collection titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content, including finding aids for the collections, are included when available.

Cultural rescue in post-Chornobylʹ Ukraine: the impact of the Chornobylʹ nuclear accident on the cultural heritage of the Polissia region of Ukraine, 2005 July 13 by lecture by Myron O. Stachiw ; sponsored by the American Folklife Center
Call Number: AFC 2005/042
Sound recording and powerpoint presentation of lecture by Myron O. Stachiw, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation, Roger Williams University, on the effects of the nuclear explosion at Chornobyl on cultural heritage in the region, based on field work in the area from 1994 to 2005. More than 250 villages in the irradiated areas were studied, including abandoned villages, relocated residents, and occupied villages within the irradiated areas. Illustrated with 94 color slides of photographs of people in traditional dress, vernacular architecture, needlework and crafts, interiors of homes, religious ceremonies, the Chornobyl nuclear reactor, and regional maps showing the areas of fallout from the explosion.
Revelations from the Russian archives : a checklist : an exhibit at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., June 17-July 16, 1992.
Call Number: CD1711 .R48 1992 OVERFLOWJ34
Published/Created: 1992
Revelations from the Russian archives : documents in English translation by edited by Diane P. Koenker and Ronald D. Bachman.
Call Number: CD1711 .R488 1997
Published/Created: 1997
Relevant documents: Document 220 (A15.1 in the exhibit checklist): KGB memorandum from Andropov to the Central Committee, February 21, 1979, on construction flaws at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Document 221 (A15.2 in the exhibit checklist): Urgent report on the Chernobyl accident from the first deputy minister of energy and electrification, April 26, 1986, Document 222 (A15.3 in the exhibit checklist): Resolution of the Central Committee, April 29, 1986, on additional measures to be taken concerning the damage caused by the Chernobyl accident, Document 223 (A15.4 in the exhibit checklist): Central Committee resolution of April 30, 1986, concerning progress in repairing damage caused by the Chernobyl accident, Document 224 (A15.5 in the exhibit checklist): Report by Pravda journalist Gubarev on his observations at the site, May 22, 1986, Document 225: Central Committee memorandum, April 10, 1987, on controlling information about the investigation into the Chernobyl accident" ; Photocopies of the original documents in Russian can be requested in the European Reading Room.

Chernobyl Nuclear Accident, Chornobyl, Ukraine: A Resource Guide

Manuscripts

Revelations from the Russian Archives

Cultural rescue in post-Chornobyl' Ukraine