On January 22, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Babel Books Berlin will host a presentation of an unknown military archive and photo book by Olga Ignatovich. In the Shadow of Big Brother, based on recently discovered frontline negatives by one of seven female photojournalists who photographed World War II from the Soviet Union's perspective.
The photo book presents the legacy of Olga Ignatovich, whose war photographs long remained in the shadow of her older brother, Boris Ignatovich, a classic of Soviet photography. Among the works presented are the liberation of Rzhev and Poland, the Red Army's advance to the West, and the liberation of Nazi death camps, including Majdanek and Auschwitz. Photographs taken by Ignatovich in Auschwitz were used in the Nuremberg trials.
The archive and book are presented by photographer, visual artist, and collector Arthur Bondar, founder of the WWII/ABC collection, which includes tens of thousands of previously unknown visual testimonies from World War II. His work with archives combines documentary and artistic approaches and offers a new, more personal perspective on history and memory.
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.
