The independent publishing house Freedom Letters has released a new series of books, ranging from autobiographical prose and essays to novels about war, disappearance, and the boundaries of personal freedom.
Two volumes from Alexander Genis’s Quintet present different sides of his writing. Ours includes the “philological novel” Dovlatov and Its Surroundings, essays on Russian and world literature, and visual “stories from pictures.” Personal rings together autobiographical texts, from the lyrical Knitwear to the memoir Return Address, structured as a movement through an entire life, from before birth to its end.
Novel Male State,published anonymously, unfolds as the story of the disappearance of a young fashion designer in Moscow. The search turns into an unsettling journey through a reality where fear, state pressure, and personal vulnerability merge into a single current. It is a text about the intrusion of power into private life and the impossibility of taking shelter from it.
At the center of Nikolai Kononov’s Cryptopopulist is the figure of Pavel Durov. Through conversations with the author, the book builds a portrait of a man obsessed with the idea of freedom in technology, politics, and private life. Conflicts with states, intelligence services, and his own principles become part of this story.
Igor Narovsky’s A Fool in a Country Without Sky s prose about war and the attempt to preserve one’s humanity amid destruction. Two clowns set out to work in frontline territories and find themselves in a situation where art, moral choice, and survival become inseparable.
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 Award is given annually. The jury votes, with each member selecting between one and three works. The winner is the author whose work receives the most votes. Additionally, a reader’s vote (Crowdfunding) is conducted on the Award’s website, where readers can vote for authors and support them financially.
What Awards Are Provided?
The winner of the Award receives a grant to translate the work into English, French and German. Also, as part of the reader's vote, all collected funds are transferred to the authors for whom the readers voted.
When Does the Submission Period for the Competition Start and End?
Прием заявок на конкурс второго сезона премии начнется 1 сентября 2025-го и закончится 15-го октября 2025 года.
When will the list of finalists and winners be announced?
В январе 2026 года Совет Экспертов объявит список финалистов. Читательское голосование начинается в тот же месяц. В феврале-апреле члены жюри читают книги-финалисты, а победителей Премии и читательского голосования объявят в мае 2026 года.
What are the conditions for the nomination of a book for the award
В конкурсе второго сезона могут принимать участия произведения, изданные в 2024-м году. Произведения (роман, повесть, сборники рассказов и эссе, документальная проза), вышедшие отдельными изданиями или опубликованные в журналах. Номинировать на премию имеют право как издательства и редакции журналов, так и сами писатели или третьи лица (с согласия и письменного подтверждения автора). Тексты подаются к рассмотрению в электронном виде. Премия «Дар» открыта для всех авторов. Учитывая главные цели премии: продвижение современной русскоязычной литературы за пределами РФ и характер самого вознаграждение (грант на перевод) - приоритет будет отдаваться авторам, чьи произведения ранее не переводились на английский, французский и немецкий языки.
