Radioactive Heritage

The Universal Value of Chernobyl as a Dark Heritage Site

Bibliographic Data

ID2386370
AuthorsNicholas Hryhorczuk (Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, USA)
Year2019
Volume25
Issue9-10
Pages1047-1055
Publication date2019-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Inquiry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1077-8004 • E-ISSN: 1552-7565
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1077800418787553
OpenAlexW2886188265
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited9

In 1986, the world witnessed the worst nuclear power accident in history at Chernobyl. Today, Chernobyl has become a popular site for dark tourism. This autoethnographic study seeks to determine whether Chernobyl has an outstanding universal value to merit designation as a UNESCO heritage site. Precedents for dark heritage sites include Auschwitz-Birkenau and Hiroshima. Their common elements are historic tragedy, the expression of strength and hope of humanity, and a symbol for change. Chernobyl is a historic tragedy. The heroism among first responders and liquidators provides hope in humanity. Chernobyl has led us to ponder the pros and cons of nuclear power. Chernobyl meets the criteria as a potential UNESCO dark heritage site, but would require the financial support of the Ukrainian government and a commitment to ensuring a safe and valuable tourism experience

Archaeology · Dark tourism · Environmental ethics · Humanity · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Symbol (formal · Tourism · Tragedy (event · Universal value · Value (mathematics · World heritage · Archaeological Research and Protection · History · Korean Peninsula Historical and Political Studies · Law · Memory, Trauma, and Commemoration · Philosophy

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