On January 15, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Babel Books Berlin will host a presentation of the book Writing Life: Varlam Shalamov. Biography and Poetics by Slavicist and researcher Franziska Tön-Hohenschein.
The book is devoted to the life and work of Varlam Shalamov, a writer for whom preserving his own identity and the right to speak in the first person became a form of resistance. Having gone through the camp experience, where people were reduced to “human material,” Shalamov defended the authenticity of his experiences and the possibility of freely disposing of his destiny in words.
His poetry and prose are based on personal experience and are inextricably linked to recent Russian history. The strategy of memory developed by Shalamov requires the reader not only to know the context, but also to be prepared to constantly rethink their own ideas and conclusions. It is no coincidence that he said of himself: “I am the chronicler of my own soul. Nothing more.”
Franziska Thun-Hohenschein is a Slavicist, senior researcher at the Leibniz Centre for Literary and Cultural Research in Berlin, and editor of the German-language edition of Varlam Shalamov's works. The presentation will be led by literary scholar and journalist Gleb Morev, a specialist in 20th-century Russian literature.
Organizer: Babel Books Berlin
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.
