Nadya Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot urges Biennale to block Russia's pavilion reinstatement

Nadya Tolokonnikova and Pussy Riot are pressing the Venice Biennale to block Russia’s official pavilion before the 61st edition opens on May 9, 2026. (news.artnet.com) (labiennale.org) Artnet reported that Pussy Riot wants to take over the Russian pavilion with an exhibition of work by political prisoners instead of allowing a state-backed Russian presentation. (news.artnet.com) The pressure campaign is larger than Pussy Riot alone. Hyperallergic reported on March 10 that more than 6,000 artists, curators, academics, journalists, and political figures signed an open letter opposing Russia’s participation. (hyperallergic.com) That letter says Russia’s planned pavilion conflicts with the Biennale’s March 2022 pledge to cut ties with official Russian entities while the war in Ukraine continues. Hyperallergic said the appeal was organized by the Arts Against Aggression International Movement. (hyperallergic.com) La Biennale confirmed Russia’s participation on March 6. Politico reported that the foundation said it rejects “any form of exclusion or censorship of culture and art,” while Italy’s Culture Ministry said the decision was made despite the Italian government’s opposition. (politico.eu) Russia’s side has framed the pavilion as proof that cultural isolation failed. ARTnews reported that Mikhail Shvydkoy, Vladimir Putin’s representative for international cultural cooperation, said Russia “never left” the Biennale and described a project titled *The Tree is Rooted in the Sky*. (artnews.com) According to ARTnews, Shvydkoy said the pavilion would involve more than 50 young musicians, poets, and philosophers from Russia and other countries. Hyperallergic separately reported that the Biennale website listed at least 38 artists and musicians for the project. (artnews.com) (hyperallergic.com) The fight has moved beyond artists and into European Union funding. On April 21, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc intends to cut Biennale funding over Russia’s participation. (politico.eu) The European Commission had already said on March 10 that it “strongly condemn[s]” the decision to let Russia reopen its national pavilion, calling it incompatible with the bloc’s stance on Russia’s war against Ukraine. (ec.europa.eu) By April 23, the dispute had become financial. The Associated Press and Il Sole 24 Ore both reported that the Biennale lost 2 million euros in European funding and was given 30 days to respond. (apnews.com) (en.ilsole24ore.com) The backdrop is Russia’s absence from the last two art editions after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. ARTnews reported that the artists and curator chosen for Russia withdrew that year, and Russia lent the pavilion to Bolivia during the 2024 Biennale. (artnews.com) The 61st International Art Exhibition, titled *In Minor Keys*, runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, with preview days on May 6, 7, and 8. The question Tolokonnikova is forcing onto the Biennale is whether Russia appears there as a national pavilion at all. (labiennale.org)