21 April, 2006

When homesickness trumps self-preservation

"They took us away in buses and said we were leaving for three days. We came back eight years later. I cried every night. I wanted to go home. Thank God, we are here in the best place on earth."

If you didn't know Chernobyl's history, you might understand her delight.
Link (Reuters)

This article—one of a series that Reuters is doing this week to focus on the future of nuclear energy—reminded me how easily disasters are forgotten by those of us not directly affected.

I have a difficult time comprehending the scope of the evacuation, but for a photo essay posted a couple years ago by Elena (Lena) Filatova (Russian: Елена Филатова) at www.kiddofspeed.com. Despite allegations that Filatova staged some of her photographs, it's unlikely she could have staged everything, and the images are compelling.

Another photo essay, by Robert Knoth, focuses on the human toll.

3 comments:

Foo said...

No conflict, Susie. Just acknowledging that there are some who allege that she staged some of the photos. It's a disclaimer for the sort of people who would jump on the chance to say, "Well, I heard those pictures are fake!"

They may be; they might not be. They're still interesting.

Anne said...

That was awful to see.

Suzy-Q said...

Wow. I want to go back and look at her pictures when I have more time.

Thanks for the link.

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