Meet Anna Berseneva and Vladimir Sotnikov, discover Lera Auerbach’s novel and Vasily Grossman’s wartime writing, hear Tatyana Voltskaya’s poetry, explore Pavel Arseniev’s reflections on language and emigration, discuss childhood bilingualism and revisit the post-Soviet years with Anya Fyodorova. Here are the literary events taking place over the next few days in Prague, Berlin, London, New York, Stockholm and Lisbon.
An evening with Anna Berseneva and Vladimir Sotnikov
The Prague Book Club and Russkaya Traditsiya publishing house will host an evening with fiction writers Anna Berseneva and Vladimir Sotnikov.
Berseneva writes novels about love and human relationships, while Sotnikov writes adventure stories for children and psychological fiction for adults. The evening offers a chance to meet both authors and ask them questions.
House of National Minorities (Dům národnostních menšin), Vocelova 3, Prague
Starts at 18:30.
Lera Auerbach presents her novel “Mirror”
Poet, composer and artist Lera Auerbach will present her novel “Mirror”, published by Virgola Press. The event is organised by Berlin Bebelplatz.
The novel takes its structure from music, with 24 preludes echoing 24 postludes. Auerbach will read excerpts from the novel and her poetry, discuss the writing process and explore the connections between music and literature. Copies will be available to buy and have signed.
Bibliothek am Wasserturm, Prenzlauer Allee 227–228, Berlin
Starts at 19:00. Admission is free. Donations to support the events programme are welcome.
Robert Chandler on Vasily Grossman’s wartime writing
At Pushkin House, translator Robert Chandler will present his new translation of Vasily Grossman’s war reporting, “From the Front Line. Stalingrad, Treblinka, Berlin — 1941–45”.
From 1941 to 1945, Grossman worked as a correspondent for Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star), following the war from Stalingrad to Berlin and becoming one of the first writers to report on Treblinka. Chandler will discuss these texts and the new edition, which draws on surviving manuscripts and typescripts.
The event will be held in English. You can attend at Pushkin House or join the livestream.
Pushkin House, 5A Bloomsbury Square, London
Starts at 19:00.
An evening with Tatyana Voltskaya
White Rabbit’s Books will host an evening with poet and prose writer Tatyana Voltskaya. The conversation will focus on two of her books, the poetry collection “In the City of November” and the prose work “The Glass Peacock”.
“In the City of November” brings together ten years of poetry, while “The Glass Peacock” explores family memory and childhood. The programme includes poetry readings, a conversation about literature and life, and questions from the audience.
White Rabbit’s Books, 200 W 86th St, New York
Starts at 19:00. Tickets are $10.
Pavel Arseniev presents “Russian as a Non-Native Language”
At Idiot Books, poet and philologist Pavel Arseniev will present “Russian as a Non-Native Language”, a collection of poems and essays published by the Paris-based Éditions Tourgueneff.
The book explores the author’s relationship with the Russian language and how it has changed over his years in emigration. Poet Stanislav Lvovsky and Sophia Buck, a Research Fellow in Modern and Comparative Literature at Oxford, will join the conversation.
Idiot Books, 64A Kensington Church Street, London
Starts at 19:30. Admission is free. Register by emailing idiotbookslondon@gmail.com.
Yulia Bondarkova on bilingualism and children’s books
Interbok will host an evening with philologist, speech and language therapist, and children’s author Yulia Bondarkova. The conversation will explore how multilingualism shapes children’s language development and the experiences of bilingual children and their parents.
Bondarkova will present two illustrated interactive books about the adventures of Pia and Kalle and discuss how to use them in activities with children. The series’ illustrator, Olesya Gonserovskaya, will join the event online.
Interbok, Hantverkargatan 32, Stockholm
Starts at 18:30. Admission is free. Registration is required.
Anya Fyodorova presents “35 July. But That’s Not for Certain”
At Liberty Santos, Anya Fyodorova will present “35 July. But That’s Not for Certain”, a book containing two novellas about growing up on the post-Soviet periphery.
The protagonist lives in a town on the Volga in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Childhood adventures, family relationships and first discoveries unfold against a backdrop of her parents’ divorce, financial hardship and a changing country. Book blogger Katya (@caleidoscopovna) will lead the conversation with the author. Copies of the book will be available to buy.
Liberty Santos, Rua da Esperança 21, Lisbon
Starts at 18:30. Admission is free with registration.
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.
