The Association of Masters of Arts of Ukraine (“OMI”) won the competition organized by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant for the best draft design of a sculptural composition dedicated to the Hero of Ukraine, the liquidator of the accident at the 4th power unit of the nuclear power plant, Alexander Grigorievich Lelechenko. The sculpture will be placed in front of the administrative building No. 1.
Through the eyes of the masters of the OMI studio, the sculpture is a composition that repeats the events of that day, the central element of which is Alexander Lelechenko walking through the fire.
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“This is not our first work dedicated to Alexander Lelechenko. Earlier, a memorial plaque was created at the OMI studio to this selfless man, who, without hesitation, stepped into immortality to save millions of human lives. Then, on the eve of the 31st anniversary of the Chernobyl accident, I went to the site and talked with the power plant employees. I was very touched by the warm reviews of people about Alexander Lelechenko and their attitude towards the feat of the people who participated in the liquidation of the Chernobyl accident in 1986. Therefore, having received an offer to participate in this competition, the image of a future sculptural composition immediately appeared in my head,” said Bogdan Kazachenko, art director of the OMI studio.
On April 26, 1986, during the accident at the 4th unit of the nuclear power plant, the deputy head of the electrical workshop for operation of the 2nd stage, Alexander Grigorievich Lelechenko, being at his workplace, without hesitation, joined the workshop staff. Thanks to his prompt actions, the explosion of the turbine generators of the 2nd stage of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant was prevented. Alexander did not leave the power plant and carried out his official duties to eliminate the accident at the 4th power unit and operate the first three power units until April 30, when he was hospitalized in the hospital. On May 7, Alexander Lelechenko died in Kyiv from a high dose of radioactive radiation.