On September 24th, approximately 35 scholars and students gathered to hear Professor Melanie Arndt speak about her book Chernobyl Children and the Transnational History of a Nuclear Catastrophe. The event was sponsored by the Institute of European Studies, the German Historical Institute Washington, the Pacific Office Berkeley, the Center for German and European Studies, the Institute of Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies, the Department of History, and the Institute of International Studies.
Arndt’s lecture focused on the aftermath of the nuclear disaster that occurred on April 26, 1986, when millions of families from Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia sought aid beyond the borders of the Soviet Union. Arndt highlighted the experiences of children, particularly those from Belarus, who were sent to countries like Germany, Italy, and the United States (U.S.) to receive much-needed care. Alongside the medical and psychological consequences these children faced after relocation, Arndt delved into how the disaster had an impact on the political tensions between the Soviet Union and the West.
The talk opened with stories of survivors such as Vova Malofienko and Tatsiana Khvitsko, two of many “rebellious Chernobyl children” who, despite their hardships, managed to adapt to life in the U.S. These individual stories were frequently sensationalized by Western media, with headlines like, “A Young Life Hangs in the Balance” and “Bodybuilder Tatsiana Khvitsko Was Born Without Legs.” Ardnt critiqued these portrayals as “abstract,” noting that while they piqued curiosity about Soviet children among American families, they did not reflect the reality of many other children who were largely forgotten. Nevertheless, some host families in the U.S. helped these children find meaning and recovery from the traumatic event, allowing them to experience a new system of care and to evaluate which system worked better.
In contrast, Soviet media depicted these children as healthy and thriving, although the reality was much starker. Arndt elaborated on the severe shortage of medical facilities, trained personnel, and medical supplies in the Soviet Union, which prompted the government to seek aid from neighboring countries. Much of the assistance from the West, Arndt pointed out, was religiously motivated, framing Chernobyl children in a sacred and holy light. This sometimes placed undue pressure on these children to conform to idealized standards set by these charitable organizations. Arndt also discussed cases where medical procedures were often performed on children without their consent or their parents' approval.
Arndt also explored the origin of the term "Chernobyl Children,” describing it as a fluid and socially constructed concept. The label encompasses various elements: from the children and families affected, to the host families, as well as the transnational and private humanitarian institutions involved. Arndt emphasized that the term goes beyond human relationships, incorporating "nonhuman entities, such as the nuclear reactor."
Additionally, Arndt tied her discussion to the larger context of the Anthropocene, suggesting that the Chernobyl children embody a new moral imperative. There was a growing desire to foster global consciousness and raise more awareness surrounding the use of nuclear energy, particularly because the disaster had such a heavy impact on civilians, following the end of the Cold War.
Arndt concluded by addressing the relevance of current events in Ukraine and Russia. While Chernobyl may have faded into the background in some respects, there is growing concern about the possibility of a similar nuclear disaster occurring in the near future. These anxieties serve as a reminder of the shared vulnerabilities that bring people together in order to prevent future tragedies.