The Dar Prize is based on the principle that Russian-language literature is an integral part of global culture. It is an international prize that exists over state borders in the space of the Russian language. The Dar Prize is a grant to translate the winner's work into English, French and German.
The prize owes its name to Vladimir Nabokov's novel of the same name, a prose masterpiece of the first half of the last century, which was born as a result of the terrible upheavals experienced by Russia, which threw a significant part of cultural creators out of their native country.
Works in Russian are accepted for the Prize, regardless of the author's citizenship or place of residence:
This difference of positions and identities is not only the wealth of Russian-language literature, but also the guarantee that no state can appropriate it for itself.
The prize considers both fiction (novels, novellas, short story collections) and non-fiction, which focus on modernity and its issues. Taking into account the diversity of artistic practices and aesthetic attitudes, the mobility and blurring of genre boundaries in today's literary field, the Prize considers fiction and non-fiction works in the same line. In the case of non-fiction, the determining factor is the artistic significance of the text. In other words, we are talking about texts that go beyond academic, scientific or political discourse, i.e. defined by the general concept of “prose”.
Texts published in publishing houses or periodicals in 2024 are eligible for the prize. Manuscripts will not be accepted.
Works may be nominated for the prize by publishing houses, editors of periodicals, writers themselves or third parties. The nomination is subject to the written consent of the author. By giving his/her consent to participate in the competition, the author accepts the basic principles expressed in the Prize Regulations.
The priority goal of the Prize (as emphasized by the prize) is to support the most significant artistic statements by authors who have not yet been translated into the above-mentioned languages.
Submissions to the Prize shall be considered by the following Board of Experts and determines the shortlist (no more than 12 finalists). Jury selects the winner from the finalists.
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.
