Why researchers of the Chernobyl zone are called "stalkers"

In recent years, the word "stalker" has been very common. The computer game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and a series of books related to it are well known to everyone, this is how fans of industrial tourism and, of course, researchers of the Chernobyl exclusion Zone call themselves. How did this word appear and why is it used in this sense?

The word "stalker" is of English origin. It appeared thanks to the verb "stalk" - to pursue, to hunt. In some countries, it is used for its intended purpose — stalkers are often called fans who maniacally track down their idols. It came to the Russian language thanks to the wonderful Soviet science fiction writers the Strugatsky brothers. They used it in their story "Picnic on the side of the Road" published in 1972.

The work tells about stalkers - people exploring the anomalous zone. It appeared after the aliens landed and there were numerous artifacts in it - objects that give people special abilities. The Strugatsky book was very popular, but the stalker movement appeared much later, after the collapse of the country.

The Chernobyl disaster, which occurred in 1986, played a huge role in the formation of this phenomenon. A huge forbidden zone has appeared on the map of the country in a completely accessible place in the north of Ukraine. This place quickly became overgrown with legends and, like a magnet, began to attract romantics and ... lovers of easy money.

The first stalkers appeared in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CHZO) already in the early 90s. Most of them had little interest in the sights of Chernobyl and Pripyat. At that time, it was difficult to surprise someone with the Soviet entourage. They were sent to the exclusion zone in order to take out household appliances, car parts, non-ferrous metal and other valuables. There were only a few real lovers of the exotic.

Looters combed the Black Sea area until the early 2000s. Then the useful resources were depleted, and the guards became more vigilant. From that moment, a new period of stalking began — researchers and just curious people began to go to the Chernobyl zone. They were caught, fined and released, but they again went for new sensations.

In 2007, the first computer game about CHZO "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl" from the Ukrainian company GSC Game World was released. She raised the popularity of stalking to the skies. The game was not directly related to the "Roadside Picnic", but it also had artifacts. Some of the game characters called themselves stalkers.

Despite the fact that it was possible to get into the Zone quite legally, with an excursion, fans of the game made their way there on their own. Stalkers wanted by all means to see with their own eyes the locations shown in the video game and get an adrenaline rush.

A statement made by the UN in 2002 seriously affected the popularity of such campaigns. The Assembly was informed that the level of radiation in most of the exclusion zone is no longer dangerous to humans. This conclusion helped even the most timid to decide to go to the CHZO.

Very soon a subculture appeared, with a number of attributes, special clothes and even its own jargon. The continuation of the mega popular game and the release of countless books from the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series did not allow the interest in the Zone to fade.

Now the Internet is full of blogs dedicated to stalking. Enthusiasts do not just make their way illegally to the CHZO, but even restore apartments there. The location of such temporary dwellings is kept secret so that they are not looted by marginals and not "covered" by the police and security.