WASHINGTON – Those living in and visiting the nation’s capital marked the 30th anniversary of the April 26 Chornobyl nuclear tragedy by remembering and paying their respects to those who died and suffered and focusing on what the world has and should continue to learn from it.
“For me it’s a very sobering lesson,” was how Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), who co-chairs the U.S. Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, described it at a commemorative gathering at the Embassy of Ukraine.
“Chornobyl really is an international site that demands attention and a teaching site for the rest of the world,” Rep. Kaptur told the gathering that included U.S. government representatives, foreign diplomats, Ukrainian Americans, clergy and others.
“I think Ukraine teaches the world a lesson today, this week, on the 30th anniversary. And we thank the people of Ukraine for the great sacrifice they made for the world and what was learned when they became victims of a Soviet system that did not care for human life and treated it badly,” she said.
The resulting deaths and suffering remain an appalling instance of human history that simply must not be repeated. “A world lesson in what not to do,” Rep. Kaptur noted.
Rep. Kaptur pointed out that the U.S. Department of Energy continues to be involved with Ukraine in dealing with the situation at Chornobyl, “an international site that demands attention and a teaching site for the rest of the world.”
Rep. Kaptur also expressed her gratitude to the many Ukrainian Americans in this country who have devoted their lives to working for and helping Ukraine.
“I have a very hopeful attitude about Ukraine that is directly related to your passion for it, and for a democratic Ukraine – one with sovereign borderland, one where people are respected under the law, and not mistreated, including by those in the highest levels of government,” she said.
Also addressing the Embassy gathering that evening was Ukraine’s Ambassador Valeriy Chaly, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Rose Gottemoeller and Oleh Bereziuk, a member and faction leader of the Ukrainian Parliament.
Organized by the Ukrainian Embassy, the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus and the Ukrainian National Information Service, that meeting concluded a number of Chornobyl commemorative events in the capital area, among them two roundtable discussions: one at the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation with Ambassador Chaly and Ukrainian writer/commentator Mykola Riabchuk, and another at the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council with National Deputy Bereziuk and three of his Verkhovna Rada colleagues.
Solemnly commemorated with a divine liturgy, a “panakhyda” (memorial service) and a candle-lighting ceremony at the Ukrainian National Shrine of the Holy Family, that historic tragedy was also the subject of two area film screenings: “The Babushkas of Chernobyl” at George Mason University and “The Russian Woodpecker” at the E Street Cinema.