The European Commission has sent a third letter to the Venice Biennale Foundation demanding further clarifications on Russia's participation in the event. The EU threatens to suspend or withdraw €2 million in funding if outstanding issues regarding potential breaches of EU regulations are not resolved within 30 days.
Over 100 artists at the Venice Biennale are boycotting the event's top artist award, demanding their names be removed from the ballot in protest of Russia and Israel's participation. They cite solidarity with a jury that resigned over awarding nations led by individuals sought by the ICC for war crimes.
Russia's Foreign Ministry reported that anti-Russian groups in Brussels and Italy, with Ukrainian extremists, attempted to disrupt the opening of a Russian exhibition at the Venice Biennale. The ministry stated that these provocations backfired, drawing international attention to the issue and highlighting deteriorating Russia-Italy relations.
Lebanese Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi navigates controversy to exhibit at the Venice Biennale. Initially sacked, then reinstated, Sabsabi presents two installations, 'conference of one's self' and 'khalil', making history as one of few artists to show in both the national pavilion and main exhibition.
Led by artist Rirkrit Tiravanija, the project brings together artists, musicians and chefs from across the Arab world.
This can be seen in sports, as well as in Russia’s presence at the Venice Biennale, the EU foreign policy chief said
Artists at the Venice Biennale used striking performances and immersive installations to explore themes including war, caregiving and human fragility.
The 61st edition of the international art event launched on Saturday in an atmosphere marked by geopolitical strife.
Protests have taken place at the prestigious arts fair over the inclusion of Russia for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Pussy Riot and FEMEN’s Venice Biennale protest showed the version of Ukraine the EU knows how to consume: obedient and stripped for export Read Full Article at RT.com
Pussy Riot and FEMEN’s Venice Biennale protest showed the version of Ukraine the EU knows how to consume: obedient and stripped for export Read Full Article at RT.com
Among those in the crowed were members of the Russian punk group Pussy Riot, who attended protests against the country's participation in the Italian art show.
The 2026 Venice Biennale opened press previews on Wednesday with protests outside the Russian pavilion, marking Moscow’s return since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
It demonstrates Russia's readiness to communicate with Italy not through coercion or diktat, but through the universal language of culture and art, Alexey Paramonov said
The entire international jury of the Venice Biennale has resigned in protest over the event's decision to allow Russia and Israel to participate. Russia returns for the first time since 2022 with an exhibition titled 'The tree is rooted in the sky,' while Israel returns after skipping last year's Architecture Biennale. The jury cited their refusal to consider works from countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the ICC. The EU has threatened to withhold a €2 million grant, while the awards ceremony has been postponed from May 9 to November 22.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha criticized the Venice Biennale for allowing Russia to participate in its 2026 exhibition, calling it a 'cowardly choice' that 'continues to harm' the organization. His comments follow the resignation of the entire Biennale jury over the controversial move to admit Russia for the first time since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Italian government has dispatched officials to investigate, with PM Giorgia Meloni reiterating the government does not support the Russian pavilion. The Biennale opens May 9, coinciding with Moscow's Victory Day parade.
The international jury of the Venice Biennale resigned Thursday amid tensions over Russia's participation and the panel's decision to bar prizes for countries accused of crimes against humanity.
It follows growing tensions over the return of Russia for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The entire jury of the Venice Biennale resigned just nine days before the prestigious art event's inauguration amid controversy over Russia's return for the first time since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The jury cited its previous decision not to consider countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity for prizes—meaning Russia and Israel. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the government did not share the decision to allow Russia. The EU had already pulled a two million Euro grant over Russia's participation, which it called morally wrong.
The group resignation caps months of political tensions over Moscow’s return to the prestigious art show.
The Italian government is reportedly investigating the Venice Biennale over Russian participation Read Full Article at RT.com
Italy's Culture Ministry is investigating Venice Biennale organizers after Russia was allowed to return to the prestigious art festival. Inspectors were dispatched to examine documents related to the planned reopening of the Russian pavilion, as well as those of Iran and Israel. The European Commission has condemned the decision, while Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said he will not attend the festival's opening on May 9.
Italy's Culture Ministry is investigating Venice Biennale organizers after Russia was allowed to reopen its national pavilion. Inspectors are examining documents related to the Russian, Iranian, and Israeli pavilions. The European Commission condemned the decision, while Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said he will not attend the May 9 opening. The Biennale jury will exclude Russia and Israel from award consideration.
The Venice Biennale jury announced it will withhold awards from artists representing countries whose leaders face ICC arrest warrants for crimes against humanity, specifically Russia and Israel. The decision affects Russian President Vladimir Putin (charged in 2023 over alleged deportations of Ukrainian children) and Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu (charged in 2024 over alleged war crimes in Gaza). The move conflicts with the Biennale's stated policy of non-exclusion, with one jury member of Ukrainian descent. The European Commission is cutting a €2 million grant over Russia's participation.
