Ekaterina Kozhevnikova firmly knew that she would work as a journalist by profession. And she came to “Asia-Plus” with the intention to prove that she could become part of an already professional team. Of course, in her youth, shyness in front of the “sharks” of the pen made itself known, but over time she began to cover the brightest economic events in the country. Ekaterina told about how she achieved this in the #AP30/People section.
Our former colleague is from the Tajik capital, and life there, as she herself admits, shaped her character and mentality, and also determined her further path.
“I laid the professional foundation right here: in 2005 I graduated from the Russian-Tajik (Slavic) University with a degree in Journalism. As for family, my husband is also from Dushanbe, so our roots are intertwined very tightly, and we have a lot in common. Now we live in St. Petersburg and are raising two children. We often tell them about Tajikistan,” shares Ekaterina Kozhevnikova.
And her children, according to her, look at the footage with delight and are genuinely surprised that there were such bright and interesting moments in their mother’s life connected with our media group.
From Student Notes to the Construction of the Rogun Hydroelectric Power Station
Ekaterina came to “Asia-Plus” shortly before receiving her diploma — in 2003. Having chosen her career path in advance, as a very young girl, she not only read our newspaper, but “literally lived by it”: she followed the work of future colleagues, knew the entire team by name, studied their unique styles and authorial handwriting.
And then one day she brought her first article to the editorial office about the “Tiger Balka” nature reserve. There she first met Parvina Hamidova and Marat Mamadshoev, who for an inexperienced student were already “real stars of journalism.”
“I remember standing shyly and waiting for their professional verdict on my article: would they print it or tell me that I wasn’t ready yet? They took the article. It was a magical feeling. That’s how I started as a freelance correspondent. I remember how my eyes burned, and how much I wanted to prove that I could be part of this incredible creative team. After passing the probation period, I became a full-time staff member of the editorial office,” recalls Ekaterina Kozhevnikova.
For her, it was an amazing time that she still remembers with nostalgia. From her first student notes and timid articles to more serious topics: Ekaterina grew along with the newspaper, step by step honing her own style.
Soon she was entrusted with writing complex economic articles. Thus she covered the beginning of large-scale projects for the construction of the Rogun and Sangtuda HPP-1, wrote about economics and investments, conducted exclusive interviews with top managers of leading companies and heads of industries in the country.
“We argued at editorial meetings, sincerely worried about each of our subjects, and literally lived with the problems and joys of our audience. It was the best school of practical business journalism that one could imagine, giving a powerful start for life,” Ekaterina admits.
She smiles as she recalls how designer Yunuskhon was always grumbling at journalists when, late at night during the issue’s submission for printing, colleagues would approach him with requests to make more changes to the finished material. Ekaterina also remembers the incomparable friendly gatherings after the Thursday issue was released.
“And that incredible taste of hot plov, smelling of smoke, which Nabi Yusupov often treated us to,” Ekaterina says nostalgically.
“A Bubbling Cauldron of Ideas”
Today Ekaterina Kozhevnikova lives in St. Petersburg, where she works in the energy sector. And her profession is still inextricably linked with information and communications.
“Interestingly, the specifics of the new industry have remarkably intertwined with my past experience: all my main professional habits come from “Asia-Plus.” I still meticulously double-check facts and information, and I approach every spoken and written word carefully. And yes — since the energy crisis of the 2000s in Tajikistan, I have retained an iron habit of pressing the “save” button literally after every paragraph I write. You won’t believe it, in the dynamic corporate world this still works great and has saved me more than once!” notes our former colleague.
Ekaterina does not forget what it means to be an “Asiatian.” After all, as she herself admits, it is not just a line in a work record, but “a special state of mind, a sign of belonging to a large, noisy, incredibly talented and dedicated family.”
“Asia-Plus” remained in my memory as a bubbling cauldron of ideas, a place where the lines between work and personal life were blurred, because we all burned with a common cause. For me, it is synonymous with courage, innovation, journalistic drive, and strong professional brotherhood,” says Ekaterina Kozhevnikova.
“Asia-Plus” Has All the Best Still Ahead”
She remembers her colleagues with great love, warmth, and respect, because, as Ekaterina notes, they make up all of “Asia-Plus.” She is grateful to each of them for the experience they gave her, and first and foremost to the founder of our media group, Umed Babakhanov. As Ekaterina Kozhevnikova admits, it was he who once believed in her and gave her a start in life.
“Umed Mansurovich taught me the highest standards of journalism and professional work with information. His strict, but always fair approach kept us in good form, and his signature, precisely targeted bright headlines in just one or two words — that was absolute mastery. I confess, I still try to write the way he taught me.
I am proud to have worked in a team where strong, uncompromising investigations by Olga Tutubalina were born, bright and lively reports by Lilia Gaisina that gushed forth, and piercing in their depth portrait essays by Manizha Kurbanova. I would be very pleased to list all my colleagues and mentors right now. It’s a pity the space is limited.
Taking this opportunity, I want to send the warmest greetings to colleagues from the news agency and radio. Long ago, billboards advertising our radio station hung on the streets of Dushanbe with a memorable slogan: “All the best is ahead!” Years later, I want to repeat these words. I sincerely believe that “Asia-Plus” has all the best still ahead! With all my heart, I wish my beloved colleagues great success, interesting and bold stories, bright plots and unforgettable broadcasts, loud and high-rating front pages, as well as always devoted and grateful readers and listeners.
Happy anniversary, beloved “Asia”! May your voice always sound loud and confident! Guys, I am proud of you!” concluded Ekaterina Kozhevnikova.
