From September 11 to 20, Berlin once again becomes a global platform for literary dialog. Performances take place at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele and on the city's outdoor stages. This year around two hundred writers from more than forty countries are expected: contemporary prose, poetry, non-fiction, graphic novels and programs for young people.
Among the participants are Russian-speaking authors living and working outside Russia.
A meeting with Russian-language writers will be held as part of the festival on September 13:
“How do humanism and human rights progress under dictatorial regimes?”
Nobel Prize winners Irina Sherbakova and Svetlana Alexievich know this from personal experience. For more than forty years, they have been giving voice to those who are not heard in the expanses of the former Soviet republics - and they themselves have fomented repression for it. What does it mean to continue their relentless policy against human rights and state terror?https://literaturfestival.com/en/events/im-recht-des-menschen/
Visitors can expect readings in Russian with simultaneous translation into German, master classes, round tables and informal meetings of authors.
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.
