Children of Chernobyl Benefit Concert

The Children of Chernobyl Benefit Concert was held at the Minsk Dynama Stadium (Minsk) in Belarus, Russia on April 23 and 24, 1991, five years after the nuclear reactor’s meltdown. The event featured bands from around the world and served to raise awareness of the terrible legacy of Chernobyl as representatives from the United Nations and AEA met to discuss the causes and effects of the disaster with government officials. A documentary called Playing for Time (Let the Requiem Begin) about the concert and related issues was produced by Ian Stewart and narrated by Glenda Jackson.

Russian DJ Dimitri Korziouk became concerned about the aftermath of Chernobyl after visiting relatives in 1989. He solicited the help of Liverpool’s Katharine Watford Cook, and together they came up with the idea to hold a benefit concert. As UK Production Manager, Cook contacted a colleague who managed Guy Pratt and Gary Wallis of Pink Floyd (post Roger Waters era) in return they went to Russia with Korziouk to present the idea to Stanislav Shushkevich, an official head of the Supreme Soviet and acting President of Belarus. Later an agreement was signed between MAAP International and the Belarus Ministry of Culture. At the same time, MAAP International and the Daily Express Newspaper began administering the UK’s Children of Chernobyl Charity.

David A. Stewart from Eurythmics served as the charity’s chairman, and the UK artists involved included Echo & The Bunnymen, China Crisis, Lindisfarne band, Martin Chambers (The Pretenders), Sian, The Big Still and The Real East. Bands from South Africa and the USA also participated, along with Russian stars, including Boris Grebenshchikov, DDT and Igor Talkov. Religious charities from the United States were also present.

TV Press

Interviews 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZIEy20EVNE

Interviews 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGTtWmPPVp8

Playing for time part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afa5nGX0698

Playing for time part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtyHpuDwNEA

Playing for time part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUqIyGKKea0

Playing for time part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgFnTZ9w6UM

Newspapers & Official Documents

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/70382337/Press-Release-for-Children-Of-Chernobyl-Benefit-Concert

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/70382333/New-Musical-Express-Liverpool-rock-top-of-the-Chernobyl-3-March-1991

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/70382330/Graphic-for-MAAP-International-Live-Aid-For-the-Children-of-Chernobyl

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/70382327/Liverpool-Echo-Eastern-Promise-12291990