The City of Childhood

I was born and lived in the city of Semipalatinsk until I was 18. Most likely, you’ve heard the name of this city... Can’t recall? Let me help you.

For nuclear tests, the Soviet Union was searching for the most godforsaken place, and, what a marvelous coincidence, it chose Semipalatinsk.

In reality, I don’t know what guided their decisions, but I assume they were looking for a piece of land that wouldn’t be too much of a loss, and the same criterion was applied to the local population.

By the way, my great-grandmother saw a nuclear mushroom cloud with her own eyes, and that didn’t stop her from living 90 years. The distance from Semipalatinsk to the test site is about 150 km, but at that time she lived in a village much closer to it.

Initially, nuclear explosions were conducted on the surface, and later they were carried out underground.

I believe my family received a considerable dose of radiation, and we won’t give it up for anyone—don’t even ask🥹

Now I think that I didn't enjoy watching the adventures of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in vain; it's just the admiration of one mutant by others🙂

Later, the city was renamed from Semipalatinsk to Semey, according to one version, so that it would be less associated with the nuclear test site.

Well, since I’ve decided to talk about the city I come from, I’ll also mention my street, where I spent my childhood: it’s Johann Wolfgang Goethe Street, house number 105. Therefore, I believe I have every right to claim German citizenship🤣

I left that city long ago, and despite having experienced many happy moments there—although, of course, there were also sad ones, seemingly far fewer, or maybe I’ve simply forgotten many of them—I don’t miss it at all.

These photos were taken by me in March 2024 during my short visit to the city of Semey