On February 10, 2026, Pushkin House in London will host a meeting with Mikhail Fishman, with Arkady Ostrovsky in attendance. The event will be held in person and online.
The focus of the conversation is Mikhail Fishman's new book, The Successor: a political biography of Boris Nemtsov and, at the same time, a history of modern Russia told through the fates of individuals and key turning points of the era. The book asks questions that continue to resonate today: how did Russia lose its chance for freedom, when did hopes for a democratic future disappear, and could the course of history have been different?
Fishman traces the country's path from the late 1980s and the first free elections to the protests on Bolotnaya Square, the wars in Chechnya, and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The central figure of the book is Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic politician, one of the most prominent liberal leaders of his generation, and one of the most consistent critics of Vladimir Putin's regime, who was killed in February 2015 near the Kremlin walls.
The English edition of the book has been significantly expanded compared to the Russian version: Mikhail Fishman wrote several new chapters for the English publication, and the narrative has been brought up to 2022. The book will be published by Pushkin Press in January 2026, translated by Michelle Berdy.
A conversation with Arkady Ostrovsky, author of The Invention of Russia and one of the leading Western experts on Russia and Eastern Europe, will be a discussion not only of the book, but also of the broader context: politics, memory, and responsibility.
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.
