Novaya Gazeta Europe asked Mikhail Shishkin, founder of the Dar Prize, what he thought about it being recognized as a foreign agent.
— В русскоязычном интернете сейчас все шутят, что если теперь «иноагентами» делают литературные премии, то недалеко и до объявления иноагентами книг как таковых, жанров литературы и даже сортов овощей и фруктов. Какие ощущения у вас от лидерства в данной области?
— Another “recognition” from a fascist state — dubious leadership, don't you think? I would simply ignore all the words they spew out there. These are their internal affairs, in which I have no desire to interfere. These people who support the war — tonight they bombed Kyiv again, killing a 12-year-old girl — are my enemies. Such “recognition” from enemies only proves that we are doing everything right.
— Such legal status is still unpleasant and makes work difficult, especially with people who remain in Russia or have ties to it. In the past our conversation You said that one of the goals of Dar is to maintain connections between Russian-language writers both in Russia and abroad. Will your goals change now?
— The goal setting will not change, but the circumstances have changed.
The recognition of the prize as a foreign agent will affect authors from Russia, who will be afraid to submit their works to the competition. All this was entirely predictable. All this has already happened in “the most literate country in the world.”
The authors wrote in the USSR, but were published under pseudonyms in the free world. And publishing houses there did not have long to remain independent. They will come for everyone.
— You have already warned your colleagues from Russia to participate at their own risk. How will you build relationships with them now? Ask for pseudonyms? Refuse money from Russia? (One of the important parts of the Dar Prize is a paid reader vote, where the winners receive an amount “gifted” to them by readers. — Ed.)
— In the 21st century, we want to talk about personal responsibility, not collective responsibility. Nothing has changed, and if authors want to participate in the award, who can stop them? It's just that those who stayed there found themselves in a time machine and returned to the USSR. Writers decide for themselves whether to publish under a pseudonym or their own name. For some, this may be an act of resistance. We didn't accept money from Russia anyway.
— Aren't you afraid of drifting toward an “immigrant” award in this regard?
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.
