Pushkin House in London will host the next meeting in the series Libris with Liberov — an intimate literary project in which Roman Liberov offers his own perspective on key figures in Russian literature.
This evening's conversation will focus on Daniil Kharms, one of the most enigmatic and radical figures in 20th-century literature. A poet, prose writer, and performer, Kharms turned absurdity into a way of talking about the most serious and dangerous things: freedom, fear, faith, time, and death. His texts defy explanation and logic, but remain strikingly alive.
Roman Liberov will suggest that we see Harms not as an eccentric absurdist, but as a tragic and prophetic artist for whom life itself became a form of expression and resistance. The conversation will trace the writer's path—from his early linguistic experiments to his later texts, created in conditions of repression, poverty, and isolation.
Despite arrests, censorship, and tragic death during the siege of Leningrad, Kharms' imagination continues to exist as a force that cannot be destroyed. Participants in the meeting are invited to reflect together on why, in his world, life still triumphs over death in “unknown ways.”
The event will be held in Russian, without translation.
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.
