Tehran – The call for the first BRICS Literary Award has been officially announced, indicating important new developments in the field of global literature.
The award aims to highlight the importance of literature in enhancing cultural exchanges and promoting mutual understanding among BRICS countries, organizers announced.
The announcement came at an official press conference held in Moscow last week, when Masoud Ahmadvand, a cultural attachment to Iran in Russia, was taking part as a member of the judging committee, the IRNA reported.
The award is intended to promote peaceful dialogue through literature and is given to works that reflect the traditions and values of BRICS countries, including both original books and recent translated works, the report added.
The review committee is made up of distinguished literary experts from all member countries, with countries permitted to nominate up to three authors.
Three authors from each country will be nominated as part of the award process. The winner selection process will unfold in three stages throughout 2025. The first long list will be announced in Brazil, the nominees will be announced in Shanghai in October, the nominees will be announced at a ceremony held in Moscow in November, and the special prize will be awarded at the Arts Festival in Brick in Kababsk, Russia.
The winner will receive the award of 1 million rubles funded by the Eurasian book agency. The idea for the BRICS Literary Award was first proposed in November 2024 at the BRICS Summit held in Moscow, a theme of traditional values, during the presidency of a Russian group.
At the time, this literary initiative symbolized the Member States’ commitment to cultural exchange and emphasized the important role of literature in promoting humanitarian cooperation between nations.
Masoud Ahmadvand, Iran’s cultural attachment in Russia, emphasized the importance of literature to promote peace and mutual understanding, saying, “The pen of a writer is sharper than a sword. Literature can promote peaceful dialogue, support the state, and give a voice to a new perspective.”
The award is also aimed at fighting prejudice, building empathy and deepening mutual respect among nations, as highlighted by Sergei Stepasin, Russia’s head of Headquarters. He noted that the award seeks to expand intercultural dialogue and promote traditional values, focusing on developing a common foundation.
Dmitry Kuznetsov, chairman of the BRICS Research Group on Shared Values, announced that at the upcoming BRICS Summit in Brazil in September, the quest for values, solidarity, and peace, kindness and development will be announced. Additionally, he has announced the creation of the BRICS Literary Network, an international association of writers and publishers from member countries.
The initiative underscores BRICS’ commitment to using literature as a means of promoting solidarity, understanding and shared cultural values among member states.
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