A New Start: From Donbass to Chernobyl
As a result of the war in Eastern Ukraine in 2014, over a million displaced people sought a new home. Some were drawn to a place that had long been synonymous with destruction, death, and disease. This is the story of a fresh start in the formerly evacuated villages around Chernobyl. Alexei told me that he has found a home here. He is happy to stay and continue building his life. His wife, however, dreams of returning home as soon as peace is restored.
Through my photographs of Alexei, I attempt to capture moments from the life of his family. The focus is less on Chernobyl itself and more on the question of what it means—and what it looks like—to rebuild a home.
In one image, Alexei’s family gathers in their garden, with his youngest daughter playing in front of the camera. Just minutes before the photo was taken, Alexei’s wife tearfully shared with me how much she misses her hometown. She spoke of the trauma of war and the loneliness she has felt since their move to Chernobyl. I know what it feels like to leave your homeland, but I also recognize the joy in the small things one experiences while gradually rebuilding a life.
'Starting Over: From Donbas to Chernobyl' is not a simple migration story. It connects two national tragedies, two stories of evacuation. But ultimately, it reminds us that the story of displacement does not end with the journey and that a new home often does not mean a fresh start. A 'better life' is not a destination but something that must be built—a product of the resilience of migrants.
