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 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.
