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 Award is given annually. The jury votes, with each member selecting between one and three works. The winner is the author whose work receives the most votes. Additionally, a reader’s vote (Crowdfunding) is conducted on the Award’s website, where readers can vote for authors and support them financially.
What Awards Are Provided?
The winner of the Award receives a grant to translate the work into English, French and German. Also, as part of the reader's vote, all collected funds are transferred to the authors for whom the readers voted.
When Does the Submission Period for the Competition Start and End?
Прием заявок на конкурс второго сезона премии начнется 1 сентября 2025-го и закончится 15-го октября 2025 года.
When will the list of finalists and winners be announced?
В январе 2026 года Совет Экспертов объявит список финалистов. Читательское голосование начинается в тот же месяц. В феврале-апреле члены жюри читают книги-финалисты, а победителей Премии и читательского голосования объявят в мае 2026 года.
What are the conditions for the nomination of a book for the award
В конкурсе второго сезона могут принимать участия произведения, изданные в 2024-м году. Произведения (роман, повесть, сборники рассказов и эссе, документальная проза), вышедшие отдельными изданиями или опубликованные в журналах. Номинировать на премию имеют право как издательства и редакции журналов, так и сами писатели или третьи лица (с согласия и письменного подтверждения автора). Тексты подаются к рассмотрению в электронном виде. Премия «Дар» открыта для всех авторов. Учитывая главные цели премии: продвижение современной русскоязычной литературы за пределами РФ и характер самого вознаграждение (грант на перевод) - приоритет будет отдаваться авторам, чьи произведения ранее не переводились на английский, французский и немецкий языки.
