Venice Biennale bars Israel, Russia from prizes
- The Venice Biennale jury said Israel and Russia will not be considered for the 2026 Golden or Silver Lions because their leaders face ICC charges. - The five-member panel announced the rule on April 23, ahead of the May 9 awards ceremony and the exhibition’s May 9-November 22 run. - The move widened a fight over Russia’s return and EU funding. (euronews.com)
The jury for the 2026 Venice Biennale said it will not consider Israel or Russia for the exhibition’s top national-pavilion prizes. (artnews.com) The five-member panel announced the policy on April 23, one day after La Biennale di Venezia named the jury for the 61st International Art Exhibition. The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 9 in Venice. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2) In its statement, the jury said it would refrain from considering countries whose leaders are “currently charged with crimes against humanity” by the International Criminal Court. The criterion applies to Russia and Israel because Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu are under International Criminal Court warrants cited in coverage of the decision. (artnews.com) (jta.org) The decision lands as the Biennale prepares to open “In Minor Keys,” the exhibition curated by Koyo Kouoh, with 110 participants across the Giardini, the Arsenale and other Venice venues. The show runs from May 9 to November 22, with preview days on May 6, 7 and 8. (labiennale.org) The prize decision is only one part of a wider dispute over Russia’s return to the Biennale after not participating since 2022. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said he will skip both the preview and the May 9 opening ceremony in protest of the Russian pavilion. (artnews.com) (euronews.com) The European Commission also warned the Biennale Foundation that it could suspend or terminate a €2 million grant because of the decision to allow the Russian pavilion to reopen. Euronews reported the warning on April 13, and Il Sole 24 Ore reported on April 23 that the Commission informed the foundation of the funding cut and gave it 30 days to respond. (euronews.com) (en.ilsole24ore.com) Israel has called the jury’s move a boycott, according to JTA and ARTnews. Critics quoted in Artnet said the measure does not go far enough because it bars prizes rather than participation. (jta.org) (artnews.com) (artnet.com) That leaves the Biennale opening with two separate political fights already in view: whether Russia should be back inside the exhibition at all, and whether Israel and Russia can compete for the Golden and Silver Lions once it begins. (artnews.com 1) (artnews.com 2)
