EU gives Biennale 30 days

The European Commission has given the Venice Biennale 30 days to answer allegations that reopening the Russian Pavilion could breach European Union sanctions. (artnews.com) The warning came in an April 10 letter from the Education and Culture Executive Agency to Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, with a response due by May 11. The Commission said it could suspend or terminate a €2 million grant tied to the 2028 edition. (artnews.com) European Union officials argue the problem is not Russian nationality alone but the pavilion’s status as a state-backed national participation funded and promoted by the Russian government. In the Commission’s view, that setup could amount to indirect support from Moscow in exchange for a cultural platform during Russia’s war in Ukraine. (artnews.com) The timing is tight because the 61st International Art Exhibition opens to the public on May 9 and runs through November 22 in Venice. The Biennale lists 99 national participations for 2026, including the Russian pavilion’s return after its closure in 2022. (labiennale.org ) Pressure on Venice had been building for weeks before the letter arrived. On March 10, European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef said they “strongly condemn” the decision to let Russia reopen its pavilion. (ec.europa.eu) On March 11, ministers responsible for culture and foreign affairs from 22 countries issued a joint statement urging the Biennale to reconsider Russia’s participation. On March 26, 37 members of the European Parliament also called on Brussels to suspend European Union funding if the Russian pavilion went ahead. (mincult.gov.ua (politico.eu) The Biennale has answered that it complied with all sanctions and that “no regulations have been violated,” according to a March 18 statement reported by ARTnews. Organizers also said they had sent supporting documentation to Italy’s culture ministry. (artnews.com) That defense has split Italian politics. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli has urged organizers to reconsider Russia’s invitation, while Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini called Brussels’ threat “blackmail” and said art should unite cultures rather than deepen conflict. (artnews.com (euronews.com)) Russia’s side has shown no sign of backing away. Mikhail Shvydkoy, Russia’s envoy for international cultural exchanges, told ARTnews he expects the pavilion to proceed and said no one can deprive Russia of “the right to artistic self-expression.” (artnews.com) The next formal test comes before the exhibition opens: Italy is expected to address the issue at a European Union Foreign Affairs Council meeting on April 21, and the Biennale’s own deadline lands on May 11. By then, Venice will either have persuaded Brussels or opened the show under a funding threat. (artnews.com)