The full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, in addition to its main goal - the destruction of the neighboring state - is directed against the humanitarian values of world culture that unite us, of which the culture in the Russian language is a part. Free literature in Russian has been held hostage by the aggressor - and we, writers, publishers, literary critics, translators, Slavists, need urgent assistance to it. The creation of an independent prize is one of such measures.
Last April, on the initiative of the writer Mikhail Shishkin, a founding meeting of Swiss Slavists took place, which established the Association Literaturpreis “Dar” (Literaturpreis “Dar”, Prix littéraire “Dar”). Among the founders are well-known professors of Slavic studies: Georges Niva, Ilma Rakuza, Jean-Philippe Jacquart, Ulrich Schmid, Anastasia de la Fortel and others.
The Board of Founders included Lyudmila Ulitskaya, Boris Akunin, Dmitry Bykov, Dmitry Glukhovsky, Svetlana Alexievich, Sasha Filipenko, Mikhail Epshtein, Alexander Genis, Ivan Vyrypayev, Vitaly Mansky, Vladimir Jurowski, Anton Dolin, Tomas Venclova and other well-known cultural figures, as well as SlovoNovo Forum (Montenegro), Kulturus (Prague), True Russia (London). Our prize was also supported by the European Commission and PEN International.
The prize is neither a “Russian prize” nor a “prize of Russian literature”. It is a prize for rethinking the entire experience of literature in Russian, a prize for discovering new approaches to literature and literary life beyond archaic statehood, a prize for all those who write and read in Russian, regardless of passport and country of residence. Our language does not belong to dictators, but to the culture of humanity. The current discourse about “post-imperialism” and “decolonization” of literature needs to be translated into practical activity - the Dar Prize gives us the opportunity to move from words to deeds.
Now is the time to create a new type of culture in the Russian language, free from the curse of territory and from Russian “patriotism”, the time to create a new Russian-speaking culture that sees itself as part not of the territory, but of world culture. It is very important that our prize is attended by writers from all over the world who are united by the Russian language, including Ukrainian writers who write in Russian and Ukrainian publishers.
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.
