THE CHERNOBYL PRAYER
Part III of the Svetlana Alexievich Trilogy
“A mighty empire split apart, fell into pieces. First came Afghanistan — then Chernobyl.”
After 13 sold-out performances, THE CHERNOBYL PRAYER returns to the stage in autumn 2025 as the closing part of the Svetlana Alexievich Trilogy, presented in full for the first time in Finland.
On April 26, 1986, Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded in Soviet Ukraine. It remains the greatest technological disaster in human history. Although Belarus had no nuclear plants of its own, it became the catastrophe’s greatest victim.
Based on Nobel Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich’s seminal documentary work, THE CHERNOBYL PRAYER gives voice to the people who lived through the horror: those who carried the invisible weight of radiation, and who faced not only the devastation of their bodies and lands, but also the silence and denials of a totalitarian regime.
If the trilogy’s first part, THE LAST OF THE SOVIETS (premiere 2023), explores faith, and the second, ZINKY BOYS (premiere 2024), war, then THE CHERNOBYL PRAYER is a play about lies – and eternity.
“How can we understand where we are? What is happening to us? Here… Now… There is no one to ask…”
“I could never have imagined death could look so beautiful.”
AUDIENCE RESPONSES
“A profound theatre experience requires little. The third Alexievich staging hits just as hard.”
“Helsinki 98’s harrowing, fierce, and chilling trilogy has reached its conclusion.”
“Though little more than an hour, the play is so relentless it leaves you shaken — and not a moment more is needed.”
ARTISTIC TEAM
Writer: Svetlana Alexievich
Finnish translation & adaptation by: Martti-Tapio Kuuskoski & the Director
Cast: Elli Närjä, Vilma Sippola, Sami Lanki
Direction & production: Director (anonymous due to the Russia’s war against Ukraine)
Set, video, lighting, poster: Pavel Semchenko
Costume & makeup: Anis Kronidova
Sound design: Ville MJ Hyvönen
Produced by: HELSINKI 98
Duration: approx. 70 min (no intermission)
Recommended age: 16+
Note: No late admission
ABOUT THE COMPANY
HELSINKI 98 is a theatre collective exploring the urgent question: “What can art be after February 24, 2022?”
The production is part of the World on Stage initiative, supported by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
THE SVETLANA ALEXIEVICH TRILOGY
Part I: THE LAST OF THE SOVIETS (Oct 19-20, 2025)
https://fienta.com/s/neuvostoihmisen-loppu-kevat
Part II: ZINKY BOYS (Oct 26–27, 2025)
https://fienta.com/s/sinkkipojat-kevat
Part III: THE CHERNOBYL PRAYER (Nov 2–3, 2025)
CYCLE TICKET: See all three plays for €85 (Tickets bought separately €105).
VENUE & ACCESS
Vuosaari Tilajakamo, Vuosaarentie 7, Helsinki
By metro: 3-minute walk from Vuosaari station (Columbus exit).
By car: Parking available at venue.