Russian pavilion closed to public

La Biennale di Venezia plans to keep Russia’s pavilion closed to the general public for the 2026 exhibition, opening it only during the May 5–8 vernissage. (artnews.com) ARTnews and Artnet, citing Italian outlets Open and La Repubblica, reported that the pavilion will stage live performances tied to “The Tree Is Rooted in the Sky” during the preview days. From May 9 through the rest of the Biennale, the building is expected to stay shut, with digital documentation shown on screens in its windows. (artnews.com) (news.artnet.com) The reports say the arrangement emerged from email exchanges among Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, general director Andrea Del Mercato, and Russian pavilion commissioner Anastasia Karneeva. Those messages indicate planning for Russia’s participation began in June 2025 and that exhibition materials had been submitted by January 2026. (artnews.com) (news.artnet.com) Russia’s pavilion is a permanent national building in the Giardini, and the Biennale has argued it cannot bar participation by a country recognized by Italy. The institution said Russia owns the pavilion built in 1914 and only had to notify organizers of its participation. (en.ilsole24ore.com) That position has collided with European Union pressure over sanctions tied to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Euronews and Il Sole 24 Ore reported that the European Commission moved on April 23 to cut or freeze €2 million in Biennale funding and gave the foundation 30 days to respond. (euronews.com) (en.ilsole24ore.com) Italy’s culture minister, Alessandro Giuli, has also broken with the Biennale leadership over the pavilion. Artnet reported that Giuli said he would boycott the vernissage, while Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro said in March that the pavilion would be shut if it crossed into propaganda. (news.artnet.com) (theartnewspaper.com) Russia last appeared in the art exhibition in 2019. After the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the artists and curator selected for that year withdrew, the pavilion stayed closed, and in 2024 Russia lent the building to Bolivia. (artnews.com) (en.ilsole24ore.com) The public closure does not reverse Russia’s return; it narrows how that return will be seen. When the Biennale opens to visitors on May 9, the Russian pavilion is set to be present on the map but closed at the door. (artnews.com)