Friends, this may not seem relevant now, but it is actually necessary for our spiritual survival. It is very simple to do - come in, vote and, if possible, donate.
Please!
Here is a letter that came to me from the great Russian writer Mikhail Shishkin:
Dear Anatoly!
You know that I founded the Dar literary prize. I am now asking my friends and I would like to ask you to support my initiative with a reader's vote.
Independent of the jury competition, reader voting is now underway in the form of collecting donations: on the prize website, readers can vote for one or more shortlisted writers - the minimum contribution is 10 euros with no limit upwards. Donations are anonymous. This is a financial support for all finalists, all donations will be transferred to the writers.
The actual task of our prize is not so much to determine the winner as to help both new publishers and authors survive in this difficult situation. And the point of the readers' vote is not only to determine the winner, but also to financially support the shortlisted authors. Many of them live in exile and are in need, some - like Maria Galina - in Ukraine under bombs. They need to be helped. Therefore, it is very important that as many people as possible take part in this donation collection. You can vote for a few authors, or you can vote for all of them.
I have a big request to you to vote yourself (you can vote for different authors and as many times as you like) and to ask your friends and acquaintances who may be interested in this initiative to support it with donations. It's not about writerly ambitions, not about competition, but about solidarity of people who still need culture in Russian. It is very important that the prize gathers as many votes and donations as possible. Thank you very much for your support!
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 Prize is awarded annually. The Jury holds a vote in which each member selects between one and three works. The author whose work receives the highest number of votes becomes the winner.
What Awards Are Provided?
The Prize winner receives a grant for the translation of their work into English, French, and German.
When Does the Submission Period for the Competition Start and End?
Submissions for the third season of the prize will open on July 15, 2026, and close on October 15, 2026.
When will the list of finalists and winners be announced?
On January 20, 2027, the Council of Experts will announce the shortlist. The Independent Jury will announce the winner on May 25, 2027.
What are the conditions for the nomination of a book for the award
Works published in 2025 are eligible for the third season of the competition. Eligible works (novels, novellas, short story and essay collections, documentary prose) may have been published either as standalone editions or in literary magazines. Nominations may be submitted by publishing houses and magazine editorial boards, as well as by the authors themselves or third parties (with the author's consent and written confirmation). Texts must be submitted for consideration in electronic format. The DAR Prize is open to all authors. Given the prize's main goals — promoting contemporary Russian-language literature outside of Russia — and the nature of the award itself (a translation grant), priority will be given to authors whose works have not previously been translated into English, French, or German.
