Greetings to you, friends and colleagues,
We, the members of International PEN, adhere to the Charter of the PEN Club and commit ourselves to do everything possible to dispel any hatred and uphold the ideal of a united humanity living in peace and equality. We welcome the establishment of the literary prize "Dar," which is founded on the principles of peace, dialogue, and solidarity. The Charter of the PEN Club affirms that the existence and dissemination of literature must remain unhindered even during times of war. We believe that the role of writers—especially during conflicts and serious social upheavals—becomes even more crucial in understanding the human experience. International PEN expresses its support for the people of Ukraine and Ukrainian writers, as well as for many Russian writers and cultural figures who, risking everything, call for an end to the war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. We stand in solidarity with the brave people of Belarus in their ongoing struggle to defend fundamental freedoms. Literature and dialogue are meant to connect a world increasingly divided by political repression, misinformation, and global crises. The literary prize "Dar" serves as a beacon of hope for all authors writing in Russian who oppose war and advocate for peace. May their words be accessible to all who wish to hear them.
Burhan Sonmez President of International PEN Club
What Are the Objectives of the Award?
The primary goal of the Award is to support authors and promote Russian-language literature worldwide. We welcome all who write and read in Russian, regardless of citizenship or place of residence. We aim to foster a Russian-language culture free from political and imperial influences.
How Is the Award Process Conducted?
The Award is given annually. The jury votes, with each member selecting between one and three works. The winner is the author whose work receives the most votes. Additionally, a reader’s vote (Crowdfunding) is conducted on the Award’s website, where readers can vote for authors and support them financially.
What Awards Are Provided?
The winner of the Award receives a grant to translate the work into English, French and German. Also, as part of the reader's vote, all collected funds are transferred to the authors for whom the readers voted.
When Does the Submission Period for the Competition Start and End?
Прием заявок на конкурс второго сезона премии начнется 1 сентября 2025-го и закончится 15-го октября 2025 года.
When will the list of finalists and winners be announced?
В январе 2026 года Совет Экспертов объявит список финалистов. Читательское голосование начинается в тот же месяц. В феврале-апреле члены жюри читают книги-финалисты, а победителей Премии и читательского голосования объявят в мае 2026 года.
What are the conditions for the nomination of a book for the award
В конкурсе второго сезона могут принимать участия произведения, изданные в 2024-м году. Произведения (роман, повесть, сборники рассказов и эссе, документальная проза), вышедшие отдельными изданиями или опубликованные в журналах. Номинировать на премию имеют право как издательства и редакции журналов, так и сами писатели или третьи лица (с согласия и письменного подтверждения автора). Тексты подаются к рассмотрению в электронном виде. Премия «Дар» открыта для всех авторов. Учитывая главные цели премии: продвижение современной русскоязычной литературы за пределами РФ и характер самого вознаграждение (грант на перевод) - приоритет будет отдаваться авторам, чьи произведения ранее не переводились на английский, французский и немецкий языки.
