Darina PustovayaThe road Kiev – ChNPP was not easy that day. High powers grieved us without diffidence: put obstacles on the way – like traffic jams, something unknown falling from the sky and reminding that even the luxurious car was only the means of transportation which could be broken in inappropriate time. In brief, we were very late. At check point Dityatki one of the workers told us that a lot of people were waiting for us. Supposition that they would not start without us was improbable and that is why not very comforting. To save some minutes we ‘flied’ to ChNPP to by-pass of Chernobyl.
Really, it seemed that we were waited for. When seeing planca running with camera towards administrational building, a woman asked “Do you shoot? You are late! Follow me quickly!” And now we are following Irina Kovbych through corridors. “Change your clothes!”. Without understanding we obediently take off our jackets and put on white smocks and hats given by smiling girls. ”Now quickly to BPC – 1! Quickly! You know the way, not a first time!” Running after planca I repeat like a spell “And I am here first time…BCP – 1….golden corridor….I am first time here!”.” The question” Can you just imagine how lucky we are?” I just nod with funny – idiotic expression.
After next turn the door with inscription “BCP – 1” opened. The room was filled with several tens of people in white. It looked like a consultation of doctors. Surprising was only the place and amount tripods with cameras. All lenses were directed to small screen with white-black static picture. While I was looking at great amount of buttons at control panel and plates with names under them, planca, by some miracle, squeezed into the rows of people like him – in white and with cameras at the other side of the hall. I was still observing people with cameras arguing about best perspective and pushing aside each other. Honorable guests came into the hall. And all started.
It turned out that we were the witnesses of historic event – extraction of the last fuel assemblage from the reactor (will have story for grandchildren). The sound from loud speakers “The beginning of nuclear – dangerous action is announced…” It sounded a bit bombast, but on the other hand – solemnly and striking. I had a desire to whisper “mummy” and hide my head somewhere. In a few minutes the first block of ChNPP became nuclear-safe!
From rows of honorable guests one man came in front. As we were informed, he took part in this block launching. It was big man with gorgeous moustache, big palms and kind expression. He didn’t look like nuclear worker. He reminded me one of the characters Janny Rotary’s poems – a baker whose hands smell of bread. He had white hat on which also looked like cook hat. He made a short speech which associated in my mind with “I am tired, I go”. He said so: I was when the first cassette of the block was input, and now I am here – a witness of the last one’s extraction. That is all. Thank you for attention. Hesitating for a second, he went to the raw of honorable guests. After operators shooted changed white-black picture, guests were interviewed. But as it was announced in evening news, operators, except NTN channel, didn’t understand which cassette, where and why did they extract and what did it mean.
Тo watch video about BCP - 1
The next event of the program was solemn opening of a monument dedicated to the heroes- liquidators and builders of sarcophagus. (Hello to all the participants of the trip on 25 November, who were forerunners – opened the monument before official event). At the background of monument, covered with grey sailcloth, there were people who made speeches, in front of them – operators with cameras, behind them – indignant and sad old people (liquidators), who were invited as guests. Put aside by journalists, they were apart from the celebration, dedicated to their own merits and memory of died people. Some of them tried to stand on tiptoe to see what was going on, others whispered to one another – “Why did they invite us?”, others answered - “All is done for journalists, why are we here?”. Bitterly. Offensively. But, I have to admit that this monument opening greatly differed from other similar events.
Even solemn speeches were sincere and emotional, not ardent and prepared as was is often. After the national anthem of Ukraine they complained that President and Prime Minister didn’t visit this event. They didn’t want or couldn’t come and honor the memory of that people, who gave their life and proved that heroes really existed. In evening news it was announced that President was eating pineapples and hazel grouse, drinking Borjomi at that time. But understanding his hard life of chief of state, we excused him.
It was said many times that this day – the Victory Day. But according to feeling it seemed like Weariness Day (but it depends on everyone). Cutting of the ribbon in front of the monument was being done to the accompaniment of post-war song. But was only music, without words. There was a feeling that Kobzon would sing about “the day which has a smell of gunpowder in the air”. Of course we could name this day – the Victory Day. It makes sense. But joyful song was an excess. 
The monument was consecrated. The burial service was read according to Orthodox tradition. Prolonged church phrases like warm clouds flied into the indifferent grey autumn sky. The pipe of 4th block in whitish haze (fog or smoke - people working on the roof with welding machine). There is a feeling that it is not simply a fog, bit the answer to all prays. Almighty.
After was a conference, interesting acquaintances, unexpected nice meetings, callings to friends and family - “We were there - look at news on all chanals!” Journey to Kiev. After was impatient expectation of the news – If they really show us on TV, at least for a moment?”. Joyful shouts when we saw at the background planca’s leg in durty leopard color trousers and part of yellow jacket. And then in delirium or dream we saw Sarcophagus with listed wall and reactor’s pipe covered with whitish haze, protecting us from unseen threat with the help of God.
We are very greateful to Alexander Novikov, Alexander Krupniy and Irina Kovbych, and informational - analytical department of ChNPP for help and anvitation.
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March 25th, 2007 by 
WickLi 
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