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?
The submission period begins on October 1 and ends on November 15, 2024.
When will the list of finalists and winners be announced?
In January 2025, the Council of Experts will announce the list of finalists. The reader's vote begins in the same month. In February and April, the jury members read the finalist books, and the winners of the Award and the reader's vote will be announced in May 2025.
What are the conditions for the nomination of a book for the award
Works (novel, novella, collections of short stories and essays, nonfiction) published in separate editions or published in magazines. Both publishing houses and editorial offices of magazines, as well as the writers themselves or third parties (with the consent and written confirmation of the author) have the right to nominate for the award. The texts are submitted for consideration in electronic form. The Gift Award is open to all authors. Given the main objectives of the award: the promotion of modern Russian-language literature outside the Russian Federation and the nature of the award itself (translation grant), priority will be given to authors whose works have not previously been translated into English, French and German.