EU pushes Russia ban at Biennale
The European Parliament is pressing Brussels to bar Russia from participating in the Venice Biennale 2026, citing Moscow’s refusal to engage with organizers — a move that could reshape the Biennale’s national pavilions. The debate landed in coverage this week as Venice ramps up its Biennale programming. (russopalacehotel.com) (fr.euronews.com)
At least 34 members of the European Parliament signed a letter demanding the suspension of “all European Union funding to the Venice Biennale Foundation should Russia’s participation proceed.” (theartnewspaper.com) The European Commission has warned it may withdraw roughly €2 million in EU support to the Biennale if a Russian national pavilion goes ahead, citing risks of giving a platform to figures linked to the Kremlin. (news.artnet.com) Organisers have confirmed Russia will reopen a national pavilion for the 61st Venice Biennale, scheduled to run from 9 May to 22 November 2026, marking the country’s first full return since 2022. (artnews.com) Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco has defended the foundation’s decision on artistic-autonomy grounds, while Italy’s prime minister, Giorgia Meloni, publicly opposed Russia’s participation. (brusselswatch.org) Kremlin cultural envoy Mikhail Shvydkov (reported as Shvydov in some outlets) confirmed to international arts media that Russia will mount an exhibition in Venice, saying Moscow “never left” the Biennale in recent comments. (meduza.io) MEPs’ letter also calls for “targeted restrictive measures” against individuals or entities credibly linked to the Russian government and its propaganda apparatus, and more than 20 European governments have already urged Russia to stay away. (artnews.com)
