Seven Arab countries confirmed at Biennale
Organizers say seven Arab countries are already confirmed to bring national stories to the 2026 Venice Biennale, signaling broader regional representation this edition. That increases the diversity of perspectives to expect across national pavilions and collateral programming (scoopempire.com).
Organizers say seven Arab countries are already confirmed to bring national stories to the 61st Venice Biennale, which runs from 9 May to 22 November 2026. (scoopempire.com) La Biennale di Venezia’s 61st International Art Exhibition, titled In Minor Keys and originally curated by Koyo Kouoh, will be shown across the Giardini, the Arsenale and multiple city venues. (labiennale.org) The United Arab Emirates will present a group show called Washwasha, curated by Bana Kattan and featuring six artists including Mays Albaik, Jawad Al Malhi and Farah Al Qasimi at the Arsenale from 9 May to 22 November 2026. (wam.ae) Egypt’s national pavilion will be led by Cairo-born artist Armen Agop in a project billed as Silence Pavilion: Between the Tangible and the Intangible, sited in the Egyptian pavilion in the Giardini. (canvasonline.com) The Palestine Museum US will stage a collateral event at Palazzo Mora titled Gaza – No Words – See The Exhibit, showing 100 tatreez embroideries made by women from refugee camps and communities in Lebanon, Jordan and the West Bank. (myartguides.com) Syria will return with a commissioned national pavilion by the Ministry of Culture featuring artist Sara Shamma’s installation The Tower Tomb of Palmyra, curated by Yuko Hasegawa and framed as a restitution and heritage project. (biennialfoundation.org) Morocco will appear for the first time with a national pavilion at the Arsenale presenting Amina Agueznay’s project Asǝṭṭa, curated by Meriem Berrada and announced by the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication. (artafricamagazine.org) Lebanon has confirmed that Nabil Nahas will represent the country at the Biennale, a commission announced via Dubai-based gallery Lawrie Shabibi and curated by Nada Ghandour. (artasiapacific.com) The Federal Republic of Somalia will make its Venice Biennale debut with the pavilion titled SADDEXLEEY (Saddexleey), presenting artists Ayan Farah, Asmaa Jama and Warsan Shire at Palazzo Caboto from 9 May to 22 November 2026. (somaliapavilion.so)
