The Big Book literary prize can now be won by an author only once

The Bolshaya Kniga (“Big Book”) literary prize has changed its rules. From now on, the prize may be won only once. That is to say, the case of Yevgeny Vodolazkin, who became its laureate three times, in 2013, 2016 and 2023, or of Leonid Yuzefovich, who received the prize in 2009, 2016 and 2021, or of Alexei Varlamov, thrice “big-booked”, in 2007, 2022 and 2024, will not be repeated in future.

But winners of previous years may still be nominated this year. So Vodolazkin, Yuzefovich and Varlamov have a chance of becoming four-time winners. But for the last time.

True, there is also the option of moving to another category, where they may likewise try their luck once.

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The Big Book literary prize can now be won by an author only once

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