Armen Zakharian, a philologist and educator, author of the literary YouTube channel “Armen and Fyodor,” invites you on a fascinating journey through the worlds of literature.
By the end of the 15th century, change was brewing in Europe. The sunny Italian Leonardo had already spread the oil of the Renaissance across his canvas, and the history of literature was about to change forever. At this very moment, somewhere in rainy England, Sir Thomas Malory, a lonely knight prisoner, sits down at his desk in his cell, unaware that his work will become the last great novel of the Middle Ages.
In his lecture “30 Seconds Before the Renaissance,” Armen Zakharian will talk about how medieval literature bent but did not break under the pressure of the new era. Together with Armen, listeners will travel to England at the end of the 15th century, where, during the War of the Roses, it was not Signor Botticelli's beautiful Renaissance “Venus” that came into being, but Sir Malory's gloomy medieval “Le Morte d'Arthur”: an epic of chivalry in the old-school style, in which dense forests are full of sorcerers, dragons, and giants; where enchanted swords are used and a bloody struggle for the iron throne takes place.
The Death of Arthur is a medieval saga written as a farewell. It is like a knight standing between eras, preventing the sword from falling to the ground. Together with him, we will descend into the depths of medieval literature to see its evolution, admire its unique features, and confirm its immortality.
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.
