Freedom Letters publishes a book by The Moscow Times columnist Sergei Shelin, titled “Entertaining Russia: 228 Answers”.
Sergei Shelin aims to describe the phenomenon of Russia, that is, to “understand” it with his mind. Many people have been and are still struggling with this task in search of a “common yardstick”, which for some reason can never be found. Shelin offers his own method, which, in my opinion, is quite beautiful.
He immediately admits that his book does not pretend to be scientific, i.e. strictly evidence-based and analytical. It consists of theses answers to questions about the peculiarities of the state structure, the nature of the population, social institutions, etc., and explanations to these theses. - and explanations to these theses.
Of course, in his commentaries, Shelin cannot completely dispense with at least some “yardstick,” i.e., comparisons of Russian realities with similar ones in other countries. These comparisons are sometimes quite unexpected and exotic. But in general, the answers to the questions are antinomian and paradoxical, i.e., in fact, they deny the very possibility of finding an analog to the typological Russian features elsewhere.
And it turns out that in Russia there is nothing that corresponds to the concepts that usually define the state and social structure of the country. The familiar and commonly used terms have a completely different content and are filled with a different meaning.
Russia seems to have a society, but there is no civil society.
There is a State Duma, but it is not a parliament.
There is a people (nation), but a “special” one - Putin's nation, the heir of the “Soviet people”, that is, something that does not quite correspond to the definitions of people and nation.
There are elites - but again, not in any particular sense of the word.
You can say that Russia is an autocracy, but you have to compare it with the Gaddafi regime - and that with reservations.
There is an autocrat, but he is also, conventionally speaking, a white crow among other autocrats.
There is a church, but as a state institution, that is essentially non-existent.
The intelligentsia is gone now, too.
And so on.
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.
