For three years photographer Niels Ackermann followed the life of Yulia, a 23-year-old he met in 2012. The young woman lives in Slavutych, Ukraine, a town near Chernobyl built for disaster evacuees. "These essentially are the children of Chernobyl," Ackermann said.
For three years photographer Niels Ackermann followed the life of Yulia, a 23-year-old he met in 2012. The young woman lives in Slavutych, Ukraine, a town near Chernobyl built for disaster evacuees. "These essentially are the children of Chernobyl," Ackermann said.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Slavutych is surrounded by a dense pine forest. When the architects in charge of the project picked the location to build the town, they selected this place in the middle of a forest because the end of a railway line made the transportation of construction material easier.
Slavutych is surrounded by a dense pine forest. When the architects in charge of the project picked the location to build the town, they selected this place in the middle of a forest because the end of a railway line made the transportation of construction material easier.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Yulia and Dima celebrate the payment of a friend's salary in 2012.
Yulia and Dima celebrate the payment of a friend's salary in 2012.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
The nine-floor Hotel Viktoria in Slavutych remains incomplete. Although access is forbidden, the city's teenagers often hang out there, Ackermann said.
The nine-floor Hotel Viktoria in Slavutych remains incomplete. Although access is forbidden, the city's teenagers often hang out there, Ackermann said.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
A mural in an empty school in the abandoned Ukrainian town of Pripyat.
A mural in an empty school in the abandoned Ukrainian town of Pripyat.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
A young man performs acrobatics on a fixed bar at a playground in Slavutych. There aren't many career options in the area and there's not much to keep young people entertained, Ackermann said.
A young man performs acrobatics on a fixed bar at a playground in Slavutych. There aren't many career options in the area and there's not much to keep young people entertained, Ackermann said.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
A mock-up of the city is displayed in the local museum.
A mock-up of the city is displayed in the local museum.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Zhenya lies on Yulia's shoulder in 2013. Ackermann watched Yulia turn into a young adult through his camera's viewfinder. He saw her struggle as she moved from job to job and from a party lifestyle to relationships, marriage and then divorce.
Zhenya lies on Yulia's shoulder in 2013. Ackermann watched Yulia turn into a young adult through his camera's viewfinder. He saw her struggle as she moved from job to job and from a party lifestyle to relationships, marriage and then divorce.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
A radioactive field near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
A radioactive field near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
A young woman looks out at the ghost town of Pripyat.
A young woman looks out at the ghost town of Pripyat.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Yulia panics before getting ready for her wedding in 2013.
Yulia panics before getting ready for her wedding in 2013.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Zhenya and Yulia celebrate their marriage in June 2013.
Zhenya and Yulia celebrate their marriage in June 2013.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Flowers bloom in Slavutych's central park.
Flowers bloom in Slavutych's central park.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Now, Yulia works as a translator at the most important job site in the region: the New Safe Confinement arch that's being built to permanently seal the remains of the burned nuclear reactor.
Now, Yulia works as a translator at the most important job site in the region: the New Safe Confinement arch that's being built to permanently seal the remains of the burned nuclear reactor.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Zhenya's dog looks out the window.
Zhenya's dog looks out the window.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
A view from the bus connecting Kiev to Slavutych.
A view from the bus connecting Kiev to Slavutych.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris
Yulia looks over the rails at her job site. If all goes as planned during the final phase of the project in 2017, the New Safe Confinement's gigantic, 30-story-tall arch will slide over the ruined reactor and the site will be sealed forever.
Yulia looks over the rails at her job site. If all goes as planned during the final phase of the project in 2017, the New Safe Confinement's gigantic, 30-story-tall arch will slide over the ruined reactor and the site will be sealed forever.
Niels Ackermann/Lundi13/Polaris