Kommersant photojournalist Anatoly Zhdanov received the Golden Pen of Russia award in the Golden Shelf category.

The book by Kommersant photojournalist Anatoly Zhdanov, “Photojournalist: on the instructions of the editor,” was awarded the “Golden Pen” award by the Union of Journalists of Russia (SJR) in the “Golden Shelf” category. The book, published this year, includes photographs of Anatoly Zhdanov, taken over 45 years of work in photojournalism.

“A precedent has been created: photojournalists are distinguished by the fact that, as a rule, they do not write books,” says the laureate. “The main place in the book is occupied by extreme business trips: to hot spots – Afghanistan, Chechnya, Karabakh, Syria, Donbass, to disaster zones – for example, to Haiti, to the jungles of Peru as part of an international expedition or to the North Pole. And the photojournalist goes to the war, and to the North Pole, and to South America, and to the Cannes Film Festival on the instructions of the editors, that’s what the book is called. In recent years, on the instructions of the Kommersant editors, to whom I am very grateful for their support.” “Archival photographs and stories for them have no meaning if a photojournalist cannot show cool shots taken today,” wrote Anatoly Zhdanov in the book. “Soviet photo masters will always be an example, and Russian photojournalism of the 90s and the beginning of the 21st century, which one can rightfully be proud of, the unique view of a photojournalist who speaks a universal language called photography will be revived and will be in demand.”

A total of 58 people received awards in various categories. “Six people received that same golden feather made of pure gold; eight people became legends of Russian journalism. Our worthy military officers were also awarded; for the third year in a row we are presenting awards for bravery in the line of duty,” Vladimir Solovyov, chairman of the SJR, told TASS.

The “Golden Pen of Russia” award was established by the SJR and is awarded annually for outstanding professional achievements, many years of work in the domestic press, on radio and television, civic position and impeccable moral authority among colleagues.

Ivan Tyazhlov