On April 16, 2026, Babel Books in Tel Aviv published Armen Zakharyan’s book Letters of Obscure Men.
The edition grew out of a video essay devoted to one of the boldest texts of the Renaissance and to the figure of the humanist Johann Reuchlin. The project was realized in collaboration with Babel Books and became the author’s first book.
Letters of Obscure Men is a satirical collection from the early sixteenth century, born out of a large-scale intellectual conflict that split Europe. The dispute over the fate of Jewish books turned into a confrontation between defenders of freedom of thought and those who sought to restrict it through denunciations and persecution.
The text became a literary response to attempts at censorship and pressure, and it occupies a special place in the history of European culture. This new edition returns the reader to a moment when the struggle over books was at the same time a struggle for the future of culture itself.
Armen Zakharyan is a literary scholar and popularizer of the humanities, the author of educational projects and lectures on literary history.
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.
