On January 23 at 6:30 p.m. in Prague, there will be a meeting and presentation of the book I Became a Russian Expatriate Myself, a collection of conversations and stories about the experience of emigration, exile, and life outside one's familiar cultural space.
In recent years, the word “emigrant” has become commonplace for people from all walks of life — both those who have already found their footing and those who are still searching. Everyone has had their own experience of upheaval, displacement, and rebuilding themselves. This is precisely what this book is about, bringing together 37 stories told by our contemporaries.
Among the authors of the collection are poet Igor Guberman, sociologist Viktor Vakhtshtein, artist and one of the founders of social art Vitaly Komar, literary historian Gleb Morev, director Marianna Arzumanova, philologist Roman Timenchik, essayist Alexander Etkind, literary scholar Oleg Lekmanov, fashion historian Alexander Vasilyev, journalist Seva Novgorodtsev, and others.
The evening is hosted by the compilers and authors of the collection — Igor Pomerantsev (nominee for the first season of the Dar Literary Award) and Ivan Tolstoy. This is a meeting of people with similar fates but different characters — a conversation that includes personal experiences, doubts, criticism, and mutual listening.
The book was published by Freedom Letters.
The meeting has been arranged. Prague Book Club.
Address:
Pelmenárna
Náměstí Jiřího z Poděbrad 1552/3, Prague 2
Jiřího z Poděbrad metro station
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.
