Agnieszka Pikulicka
@aga-pik.bsky.social
Journalist focusing on Eastern Europe & Central Asia | Founder of Turan Tales | Author of "Nowy Uzbekistan" (in PL) | Words: Reuters, AJE, AP, the Guardian, FP
This week on Turan Tales podcast, we’re discussing whether modern art can flourish in Central Asia. In other words: can autocracies handle free expression? Joining us is Timur Karpov, a documentary photographer, and founder of the 139 Documentary Centre open.substack.com/pub/turantal...
Episode 24: Can modern art flourish in Central Asia?
TURAN TALK with Timur Karpov, documentary photographer, curator, founder of the 139 Documentary Centre
open.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 7:56 AM
This week on Turan Tales podcast, we’re discussing whether modern art can flourish in Central Asia. In other words: can autocracies handle free expression? Joining us is Timur Karpov, a documentary photographer, and founder of the 139 Documentary Centre open.substack.com/pub/turantal...
This week on Turan Tales podcast we're looking at the results of Kyrgyzstan's parliamentary election and how the country has changed since the 2020 revolution and the coming to power of Sadyr Japarov. Joining us is @adoolotkeldieva.bsky.social turantales.substack.com/p/episode-23...
Episode 23: After the elections - Inside the “New Kyrgyzstan”
TURAN TALK with Asel Doolotkeldieva, a research fellow at the University of Potsdam
turantales.substack.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This week on Turan Tales podcast we're looking at the results of Kyrgyzstan's parliamentary election and how the country has changed since the 2020 revolution and the coming to power of Sadyr Japarov. Joining us is @adoolotkeldieva.bsky.social turantales.substack.com/p/episode-23...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
In Poland, officials are pushing tough migration policies and even harsher rhetoric, even as Ukrainians give the country an economic boost and contain Russia on the battlefield next door.
Read The Beet’s last feature story of 2025, courtesy of @aga-pik.bsky.social! meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Read The Beet’s last feature story of 2025, courtesy of @aga-pik.bsky.social! meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Unpacking the paradoxes of Poland’s migration debate — Meduza
With roughly a million Ukrainian refugees now residing in Poland and fears about hybrid war and border security unabated, discussions about migration have become entangled with a range of domestic and...
meduza.io
December 8, 2025 at 1:28 PM
In Poland, officials are pushing tough migration policies and even harsher rhetoric, even as Ukrainians give the country an economic boost and contain Russia on the battlefield next door.
Read The Beet’s last feature story of 2025, courtesy of @aga-pik.bsky.social! meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Read The Beet’s last feature story of 2025, courtesy of @aga-pik.bsky.social! meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
If anyone knows the complexity of the issue it is @aga-pik.bsky.social . Don't miss this piece.👇
Read my latest story for Meduza’s the Beet about the paradoxes of Poland’s migration debate meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Unpacking the paradoxes of Poland’s migration debate — Meduza
With roughly a million Ukrainian refugees now residing in Poland and fears about hybrid war and border security unabated, discussions about migration have become entangled with a range of domestic and...
meduza.io
December 6, 2025 at 7:20 PM
If anyone knows the complexity of the issue it is @aga-pik.bsky.social . Don't miss this piece.👇
Read my latest story for Meduza’s the Beet about the paradoxes of Poland’s migration debate meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Unpacking the paradoxes of Poland’s migration debate — Meduza
With roughly a million Ukrainian refugees now residing in Poland and fears about hybrid war and border security unabated, discussions about migration have become entangled with a range of domestic and...
meduza.io
December 6, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Read my latest story for Meduza’s the Beet about the paradoxes of Poland’s migration debate meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
Poland’s open-arms policy for Ukrainian refugees has given way to a roiling migration debate deeply entangled with domestic and foreign policy issues. The Beet’s latest, from journalist @aga-pik.bsky.social. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Unpacking the paradoxes of Poland’s migration debate — Meduza
With roughly a million Ukrainian refugees now residing in Poland and fears about hybrid war and border security unabated, discussions about migration have become entangled with a range of domestic…
meduza.io
December 5, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Poland’s open-arms policy for Ukrainian refugees has given way to a roiling migration debate deeply entangled with domestic and foreign policy issues. The Beet’s latest, from journalist @aga-pik.bsky.social. meduza.io/en/feature/2...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
Excellent Turan Tales on the architectural heritage of #Samarkand. @aga-pik.bsky.social has done it again. 👇
This week on Turan Tales podcast, I am joined by Diora Rafieva, an Uzbekistani lawyer and human rights activist who has been at the frontline of the fight to save Samarkand and its architectural heritage from the ongoing demolitions - and bad taste.
turantales.substack.com/p/episode-22...
turantales.substack.com/p/episode-22...
Episode 22: Who will save Samarkand?
TURAN TALK with Diora Rafieva, a lawyer and human rights activist
turantales.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Excellent Turan Tales on the architectural heritage of #Samarkand. @aga-pik.bsky.social has done it again. 👇
This week on Turan Tales podcast, I am joined by Diora Rafieva, an Uzbekistani lawyer and human rights activist who has been at the frontline of the fight to save Samarkand and its architectural heritage from the ongoing demolitions - and bad taste.
turantales.substack.com/p/episode-22...
turantales.substack.com/p/episode-22...
Episode 22: Who will save Samarkand?
TURAN TALK with Diora Rafieva, a lawyer and human rights activist
turantales.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:00 AM
This week on Turan Tales podcast, I am joined by Diora Rafieva, an Uzbekistani lawyer and human rights activist who has been at the frontline of the fight to save Samarkand and its architectural heritage from the ongoing demolitions - and bad taste.
turantales.substack.com/p/episode-22...
turantales.substack.com/p/episode-22...
A few weeks ago, I sat down with @peterleonard1.bsky.social from CAPS Unlock podcast to talk about Turan Tales, doing journalism in Central Asia, and working with sounds. You can listen to it on Substack or your favourite podcast platform open.substack.com/pub/havli/p/...
Agnieszka Pikulicka on telling Central Asia’s stories differently
A conversation with journalist Agnieszka Pikulicka on shifting Central Asia reporting away from clichés and toward stories driven by people rather than geopolitics.
open.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:23 PM
A few weeks ago, I sat down with @peterleonard1.bsky.social from CAPS Unlock podcast to talk about Turan Tales, doing journalism in Central Asia, and working with sounds. You can listen to it on Substack or your favourite podcast platform open.substack.com/pub/havli/p/...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
Great Turan Tales podcast by @aga-pik.bsky.social about CA soldiers fighting for Russia who are POWs. Excellent investigation.
They came to Russia for work, not war. Yet thousands of Central Asian migrants now fight in Ukraine, drawn in by promises, pushed by pressure, and caught in a stark imbalance of power. Listen to the new audio documentary by Turan Tales turantales.substack.com/p/the-unlike...
The Unlikely mercenaries: Central Asians fighting Russia’s war
They came to Russia for work, not war. Yet thousands of Central Asian migrants now fight in Ukraine - drawn in by promises, pushed by pressure, and caught in a stark imbalance of power.
turantales.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Great Turan Tales podcast by @aga-pik.bsky.social about CA soldiers fighting for Russia who are POWs. Excellent investigation.
They came to Russia for work, not war. Yet thousands of Central Asian migrants now fight in Ukraine, drawn in by promises, pushed by pressure, and caught in a stark imbalance of power. Listen to the new audio documentary by Turan Tales turantales.substack.com/p/the-unlike...
The Unlikely mercenaries: Central Asians fighting Russia’s war
They came to Russia for work, not war. Yet thousands of Central Asian migrants now fight in Ukraine - drawn in by promises, pushed by pressure, and caught in a stark imbalance of power.
turantales.substack.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:52 AM
They came to Russia for work, not war. Yet thousands of Central Asian migrants now fight in Ukraine, drawn in by promises, pushed by pressure, and caught in a stark imbalance of power. Listen to the new audio documentary by Turan Tales turantales.substack.com/p/the-unlike...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
In the latest episode of YurtJurt podcast, I converse with three fascinating feminist/decolonial Central Asian researchers and authors - fellow sociologist Aizada Arystanbek, political historian Kamila Smagulova, and feminist author Aisulu Toyshibek abt VOCABULARY
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
Yurt Jurt
Government Podcast · Yurt Jurt - a podcast about decolonizing Central Asia and Beyond produced by Central Asian activists. Hosted by Dr. Diana Kudaibergen, Yurt Jurt dives deep into the decoloniality ...
podcasts.apple.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:23 PM
In the latest episode of YurtJurt podcast, I converse with three fascinating feminist/decolonial Central Asian researchers and authors - fellow sociologist Aizada Arystanbek, political historian Kamila Smagulova, and feminist author Aisulu Toyshibek abt VOCABULARY
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/y...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
In case you missed it, there is also this podcast
What does it mean to be Kazakhstani? Listen to the new episode of Turan Tales with Diana Kudaibergen -- cultural and political sociologist and Lecturer in Central Asian Politics and Society at University College London turantales.substack.com/p/what-does-...
Episode 16: What does it mean to be Kazakhstani?
TURAN TALK with Diana Kudaibergen, a cultural and political sociologist from University College London
turantales.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:19 PM
In case you missed it, there is also this podcast
This week on Turan Tales podcast, we discuss whether Turkmenistan - one of the most isolated states in the world - is moving toward greater openness. Joining us is Ruslan Myatiev: a Turkmen journalist, and the founder of Turkmen news
turantales.substack.com/p/is-turkmen...
turantales.substack.com/p/is-turkmen...
Is Turkmenistan finally opening up?
TURAN TALK with Ruslan Myatiev, the founder of Turkmen.news
turantales.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:27 AM
This week on Turan Tales podcast, we discuss whether Turkmenistan - one of the most isolated states in the world - is moving toward greater openness. Joining us is Ruslan Myatiev: a Turkmen journalist, and the founder of Turkmen news
turantales.substack.com/p/is-turkmen...
turantales.substack.com/p/is-turkmen...
Astana has risen from the steppe as a city of glass, steel, and soaring ambition - a capital built to embody a nation’s dreams. But can a dream live up to its promise? This is the first in a series of audio features by Turan Tales. Hope you will enjoy it! open.substack.com/pub/turantal...
The Capital: In search of Astana's soul
Astana has risen from the steppe as a city of glass, steel, and soaring ambition - a capital built to embody a nation’s dreams. But can a dream live up to its promise?
open.substack.com
October 23, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Astana has risen from the steppe as a city of glass, steel, and soaring ambition - a capital built to embody a nation’s dreams. But can a dream live up to its promise? This is the first in a series of audio features by Turan Tales. Hope you will enjoy it! open.substack.com/pub/turantal...
Check out a new interview on Turan Tales with one of my favourite authors - Hamid Ismailov - about his new book “We Computers”, literature, language and longing turantales.substack.com/p/episode-17...
Episode 17: The most famous Uzbek writer few in Uzbekistan have heard of
TURAN TALK with Hamid Ismailov, author of "We Computers: A ghazal novel"
turantales.substack.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:26 AM
Check out a new interview on Turan Tales with one of my favourite authors - Hamid Ismailov - about his new book “We Computers”, literature, language and longing turantales.substack.com/p/episode-17...
What does it mean to be Kazakhstani? Listen to the new episode of Turan Tales with Diana Kudaibergen -- cultural and political sociologist and Lecturer in Central Asian Politics and Society at University College London turantales.substack.com/p/what-does-...
Episode 16: What does it mean to be Kazakhstani?
TURAN TALK with Diana Kudaibergen, a cultural and political sociologist from University College London
turantales.substack.com
October 2, 2025 at 12:54 PM
What does it mean to be Kazakhstani? Listen to the new episode of Turan Tales with Diana Kudaibergen -- cultural and political sociologist and Lecturer in Central Asian Politics and Society at University College London turantales.substack.com/p/what-does-...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
Fascinating episode of Turan Tales podcast by @aga-pik.bsky.social on the Soviet influence on #CentralAsian music and the evolution of estrada 👏🏼🕺🏼🇺🇿
bit.ly/48xpJJV
bit.ly/48xpJJV
Episode 15: Looking back at the 'Estrada' - pop music of Soviet Central Asia
TURAN TALK with Leora Eisenberg, an American historian and PhD student at Harvard
bit.ly
September 25, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Fascinating episode of Turan Tales podcast by @aga-pik.bsky.social on the Soviet influence on #CentralAsian music and the evolution of estrada 👏🏼🕺🏼🇺🇿
bit.ly/48xpJJV
bit.ly/48xpJJV
This week, Turan Tales podcast revisits Soviet Central Asian estrada with the amazing Leora Eisenberg - a historian and a PhD student at Harvard turantales.substack.com/p/episode-15...
September 25, 2025 at 6:05 AM
This week, Turan Tales podcast revisits Soviet Central Asian estrada with the amazing Leora Eisenberg - a historian and a PhD student at Harvard turantales.substack.com/p/episode-15...
Central Asian ‘first daughters’ - heirs, icons, or leaders? Listen to the new TURAN TALK with Galiya Ibragimova turantales.substack.com/p/episode-14...
Episode 14: Central Asian ‘first daughters’ - heirs, icons, or leaders?
TURAN TALK with Galiya Ibragimova, a journalist and political scientist from Uzbekistan
turantales.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Central Asian ‘first daughters’ - heirs, icons, or leaders? Listen to the new TURAN TALK with Galiya Ibragimova turantales.substack.com/p/episode-14...
The Caspian Sea is shrinking, its shores littered with seal carcasses. For scientist Assel Baimukanova, each one tells the story of an ecosystem on the brink. Read or listen to Turan Tales' new long read from Aktau turantales.substack.com/p/the-girl-w...
The girl with the seals: A fight for the Caspian’s last mammals
The Caspian Sea is shrinking, its shores littered with seal carcasses. For scientist Assel Baimukanova, each one tells the story of an ecosystem on the brink.
turantales.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The Caspian Sea is shrinking, its shores littered with seal carcasses. For scientist Assel Baimukanova, each one tells the story of an ecosystem on the brink. Read or listen to Turan Tales' new long read from Aktau turantales.substack.com/p/the-girl-w...
Listen to the new episode of Turan Tales, where Selbi Durdiyeva and I look at Central Asia’s postcolonial legacy and how Russia’s centuries-long influence has shaped ways of thinking, institutions, and everyday life in the region turantales.substack.com/p/episode-13...
Episode 13: Post-Soviet nostalgia and colonial legacy in Central Asia
TURAN TALK with Selbi Durdiyeva, a decolonial scholar from Turkmenistan, and a teaching fellow at the College of Law, Anthropology and Politics at SOAS, University of London
turantales.substack.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Listen to the new episode of Turan Tales, where Selbi Durdiyeva and I look at Central Asia’s postcolonial legacy and how Russia’s centuries-long influence has shaped ways of thinking, institutions, and everyday life in the region turantales.substack.com/p/episode-13...
Over the past few weeks, Poland has been immersed in a violent anti-migrant hysteria. Read my story for @aljazeera.com on how it started and what it's all about www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
‘We are scapegoats’: The rise of anti-migrant anger in Poland
Immigrants are being blamed for crime in Poland, but statistics do not show they are disproportionately responsible.
www.aljazeera.com
August 1, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Over the past few weeks, Poland has been immersed in a violent anti-migrant hysteria. Read my story for @aljazeera.com on how it started and what it's all about www.aljazeera.com/features/202...
In the new episode of Turan Tales, @joannalillis.bsky.social and I delve into the mixed legacy of Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan's first president, who ruled the country for almost 30 years. turantales.substack.com/p/episode-12...
Episode 12: From Elbasy to pensioner. The legacy of Nursultan Nazarbayev
TURAN TALK with Joanna Lillis, journalist and author of “Dark shadows: Inside the secret world of Kazakhstan”
turantales.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 9:55 AM
In the new episode of Turan Tales, @joannalillis.bsky.social and I delve into the mixed legacy of Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan's first president, who ruled the country for almost 30 years. turantales.substack.com/p/episode-12...
Reposted by Agnieszka Pikulicka
Tune in to Turan Tales, where I talked to @aga-pik.bsky.social about the long shadow Nazarbayev casts over #Kazakhstan even six years after he stepped down as president after 30 years in power substack.com/@turantales/no…
https://substack.com/@turantales/no…
July 31, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Tune in to Turan Tales, where I talked to @aga-pik.bsky.social about the long shadow Nazarbayev casts over #Kazakhstan even six years after he stepped down as president after 30 years in power substack.com/@turantales/no…