Moscow – The Cultural Russia Award is thrilled to announce Anastasia Dubinina as the recipient of the 2024 Award for Literature. Her critically acclaimed novel, "Anonymous Letters", captivated the jury with its profound psychological depth and masterful storytelling, marking a significant contribution to contemporary Russian literature.

Dubinina's novel unfolds through a series of unsigned letters, weaving a complex tapestry of interconnected lives in modern-day city. It explores themes of isolation, hidden desires, and the intricate ways humans seek connection in an increasingly fragmented world. The epistolary format is handled with exceptional skill, creating an intimate and suspenseful reading experience that lingers long after the final page.

"'Anonymous Letters' is a remarkable achievement. Dubinina uses the constraints of the epistolary form not as a limitation, but as a lens to magnify the subtle, often unspoken, realities of human relationships. It's a novel that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply moving."

— Jury Citation, 2024 Cultural Russia Award

Anastasia Dubinina, known for her sharp prose and insightful character studies, has steadily built a reputation as one of Russia's most compelling literary voices. "Anonymous Letters" is her third novel and has already garnered widespread praise from critics and readers alike for its originality and emotional resonance.

A Legacy of Literary Excellence

The Cultural Russia Award for Literature celebrates works that demonstrate exceptional artistic merit and contribute meaningfully to the nation's rich literary heritage. Dubinina joins a distinguished list of laureates who have shaped the landscape of Russian writing.

She succeeds the 2023 winner, Ekaterina Volkova, who was honored for her sweeping historical epic "The Winter Chronicles". Volkova's novel, which reimagined Russia's Silver Age through the lives of a Moscow family, was lauded for its meticulous research and grand narrative scope. While different in style and subject matter, both Volkova's and Dubinina's works exemplify the vibrant diversity and enduring power of Russian literature today.

Upon receiving the award, Dubinina expressed her gratitude: "I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Cultural Russia Award. Writing 'Anonymous Letters' was a journey into the hidden corners of the human heart, and I am overwhelmed that these stories have resonated with the jury and readers. This recognition inspires me to continue exploring the complexities of contemporary life through literature."

The Cultural Russia Award ceremony, where Anastasia Dubinina will formally accept her prize, is scheduled for December 2024. Further details about the event will be announced soon.