On November 29, 2025, Prague will host the presentation of the novel Shield and Google, published by Fresh Verlag. It is a detective story based on real journalistic investigations and written by reporters Zhenya Snezhkina and Dmitry Treshchanin. One of the authors worked as a court reporter for many years and wrote about human rights in Russia—and at some point realized that fictional detective stories seem implausible against the backdrop of reality. This is how the idea for the book came about, where the investigation is based on the true logic of events, and the truth is sometimes scarier than fiction.
The novel is set in the fall of 2014: a group of role-playing enthusiasts gather at a Czech castle to reenact a 15th-century battle, but accidentally witness a crime. The threads of this incident stretch into modern history and intertwine with a war that is just beginning to unfold.
At the presentation, the authors will talk about how journalism turns into literature, what became the starting point for the plot, and why the events invented in 2020 took on a frightening prophetic power after February 2022.
Starts at 5:30 p.m.
Location: House of National Minorities, Vocelova 3, Prague 2.
The book Shield and Google will be available for purchase on site.
The online version is available on the website Fresh Verlag.
Event organizers: БУДЕТ ТОЛК and Praguebooktower
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.
