The works submitted for the Literary Prize were evaluated by literary critics Christina Gepting, Masha Rupasova, Dina Sabitova, Marianna Taimanova, Sorin Brut, Ilya Danishevsky, Julius Dubov, Konstantin Kropotkin and Konstantin Pakhalyuk.
The 2025 awards will be given in three categories: prose, Springfield (queer prose), and The B Word (children's and teen literature).
It was decided not to give the award for non-fiction this year; the prize money for this category will be carried over to the next season.
The Long List for the first season of the award includes works by authors from 26 countries:
«Заячий остров»,
«Коса»,
«Клуб 14+»,
«Вещь не может»,
«Убивая золотистых ретриверов»,
«Не убоюсь огня»,
«Внутренние территории»,
«Голова в Москве»,
«В Верхнем Ларсе всегда дождь»,
«П-111-96»,
«Лебяжье»,
«В тени липовых аллей»,
«Талион»,
«Из каких бы мы ни пришли земель»,
«Третья жизнь»,
«Твойственность»,
«Я никуда не поехал»,
«Мачеха слонов»,
«Война не закончится»,
Herr Drache,
«Возмездие мне»,
«Киру всё заебало»,
Failed State,
«Она и мы»,
«Мамина дочка»,
«Оратория Сольвейг»,
«Несказка»,
«Бригада гадов»,
«Я, андрогин»,
«Марлена, вернись домой»,
«Дурные»,
«Предопределение»,
«Комбинат»,
«Они танцуют»,
«Бывшие»,
«Номад в Нормандии»,
«Бестиарий»,
«Вторая ипостась»,
«Человек в мешке»,
«Темнюки»,
«Червовая королева»,
«Я умею падать»,
«Лунная заря»,
«Москва-80»,
«Погружение»,
«Просмотр. История одного сеанса»,
«Карты Каро»,
«СВОлочи»,
«Страха не будет».
The Short List will be announced in the summer.
The prize was established by Dozhd TV channel, Novaya Gazeta Europe and Freedom Letters publishing house. The prize fund is 20,000 US dollars. The winners of “Freedom Books” will be published by Freedom Letters.
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.
