On February 10, 2026, Pushkin House in London will host a meeting with Mikhail Fishman, with Arkady Ostrovsky in attendance. The event will be held in person and online.
The focus of the conversation is Mikhail Fishman's new book, The Successor: a political biography of Boris Nemtsov and, at the same time, a history of modern Russia told through the fates of individuals and key turning points of the era. The book asks questions that continue to resonate today: how did Russia lose its chance for freedom, when did hopes for a democratic future disappear, and could the course of history have been different?
Fishman traces the country's path from the late 1980s and the first free elections to the protests on Bolotnaya Square, the wars in Chechnya, and the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The central figure of the book is Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic politician, one of the most prominent liberal leaders of his generation, and one of the most consistent critics of Vladimir Putin's regime, who was killed in February 2015 near the Kremlin walls.
The English edition of the book has been significantly expanded compared to the Russian version: Mikhail Fishman wrote several new chapters for the English publication, and the narrative has been brought up to 2022. The book will be published by Pushkin Press in January 2026, translated by Michelle Berdy.
A conversation with Arkady Ostrovsky, author of The Invention of Russia and one of the leading Western experts on Russia and Eastern Europe, will be a discussion not only of the book, but also of the broader context: politics, memory, and responsibility.
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.
