The National Centre RUSSIA and the Union of Writers of Russia established the Russian Science Fiction Literary Award

The National Centre RUSSIA together with the Union of Writers of Russia announced the establishment of the annual Russian Science Fiction Literary Award. The new award will become an important instrument of support for authors, translators, illustrators, and publishers who develop the traditions of the genre and shape images of the future.

"2025 can rightly be called a special year for science fiction: we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Arkady Strugatsky and the anniversary of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel "Heart of a Dog". These works shaped the worldview of entire generations and continue to inspire us to reflect on the future. By establishing the Russian Science Fiction Literary Award, we want to support authors, translators, and artists who today create new images and meanings, helping us all look ahead, into the future of our country," said Natalia Virtuozova, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA.

The Award has been established as a continuation of efforts to design the future and popularise science fiction, which began within the framework of the International Symposium "Inventing the Future".

In 2025, works published during the past period and nominated by experts will be eligible in four categories: literary work, visual image (comics, illustrations), translation, and publishing project (books and audiobooks).

The award fund will amount to 4 million roubles and will be distributed among the laureates in each category.

The Board of Trustees of the Award includes leading figures in science and culture, while the expert commission comprises literary critics, translators, artists, and representatives of the scientific community. The jury is chaired by the well-known science fiction writer, board member of the Union of Writers of Russia, Sergei Lukyanenko.

"The main goal of the new literary award is to support Russian science fiction. It will recognise the best writers and, importantly, will also help new authors make a name for themselves. Such attention should raise the status of science fiction and remind everyone that it is science fiction writers who think about the future today," explained Sergei Lukyanenko.

The award ceremony will take place on 7 October 2025 within the framework of the II International Symposium "Inventing the Future" at the National Centre RUSSIA. The event will be one of the central highlights of the forum dedicated to the interaction of science, technology, and fiction.

By establishing the Award, the National Centre RUSSIA continues the tradition of supporting significant cultural initiatives that set development benchmarks and open up new opportunities for the popularisation of science fiction in the country.