Moscow, Shanghai, Brasília, July 2, 2025 — At a time when the world is facing many challenges and cultural understanding is becoming the key to international cooperation, the BRICS Literary Prize comes as a beacon of hope, unity and shared values. This prestigious project, which aims to support authors from the five BRICS member states – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – is fast becoming one of the most significant cultural phenomena in the Global South.
Deeply rooted in BRICS values
Since its inception, the prize has been conceived as a tool for cultural diplomacy and literary dialogue between civilizations whose traditions, historical experiences and social values differ but at the same time inspire each other. The organizers of the prize emphasize that literature has an exceptional ability to overcome borders, break stereotypes and build bridges between people.
The aim of the award is to recognize and support those authors whose works are not only artistic expressions, but also a reflection of national identity, historical memory and social responsibility. In the texts of nominated authors, readers can encounter themes such as respect for ancestors, traditions of collective solidarity, spiritual legacy and the struggle for justice – values that the BRICS nations share and consider to be the basis of their identity.
Thoughtful structure and transparent process
The organizing committee of the award paid special attention to the transparency and professional competence of the evaluation process. In each of the participating countries, there is a national panel consisting of renowned literary and scientific experts. These experts have the right, either themselves or through nominators, to propose up to three authors whose work, in their opinion, deserves international recognition.
The evaluation takes place in three stages:
- September – long list of candidates (hosted by Brazil)
- October – short list of finalists (announced in Shanghai)
- November – grand prize ceremony in Moscow
A peculiarity of this system is that jury members cannot vote for representatives of their own country. In the event of a tie, the country chairing the year has the decisive say. This system guarantees objectivity and respects the balance of interests between all states.
Generous awards and strong support
The winner of the main prize in 2025 will receive a financial reward of 1 million rubles, provided by the Eurasian Book Agency (EKA). This organization, which has become the official partner of the BRICS Literary Prize, is tasked not only with ensuring the prestigious level of the competition, but also with supporting the translation and publication of nominated works in individual countries. This contributes to ensuring that exceptional literary creations can reach a wider audience and overcome language and cultural barriers.
In addition, EKA actively involves other international and national institutions that share the idea of cultural rapprochement in the formation of the prize fund. At the same time, it helps to create long-term ties between publishing houses, literary festivals and cultural centers.
Space for new talents – debutants in the spotlight
In 2025, EKA is also announcing a special prize in the category “Best Literary Debut”. This new initiative is aimed at discovering young and talented authors who represent the future of national and international literature. The first year of this category will be open to authors from the Russian Federation and the award ceremony will take place as part of the BRICS Arts Festival in Khabarovsk, which will take place from 12 to 20 October 2025.
This new category not only supports the emerging generation of writers, but also creates the conditions for greater involvement of young people in the cultural life of the BRICS. It is an investment in the future – in the development of creativity, cultural identity and intercultural dialogue.
Festival as the culmination of the year
The BRICS Arts Festival in Khabarovsk will become not only a place for the award ceremony, but also a cultural holiday, where authors, publishers, translators, academics and readers will meet. The organizers are preparing a varied program including author readings, discussions, exhibitions and creative workshops. This festival has the ambition to become a regular cultural event that will bring the public closer to the wealth of literature and art of the BRICS member states.
Literature as a tool for understanding and cooperation
Representatives of the organizing committee and the authors themselves agree that the BRICS Literary Prize has a far-reaching impact not only on the individual laureates, but also on the perception of BRICS as a cultural community. At a time when cultural isolation and language barriers often prevent a deeper understanding of other societies, this prize comes with a clear vision – to bring the world closer together through stories, poetry, novels and essays.
Connecting the national literatures of the BRICS brings new impulses and inspiration for authors and readers. It allows for sharing experiences, reflecting on shared historical moments, and creating new forms of storytelling that appeal not only to the BRICS people, but also to a wider international audience.
In conclusion: A new cultural bridge in a multipolar world
The BRICS Literary Prize is not just an award for individual authors. It is a symbol of
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