Russia sparks Biennale row

Russia’s planned return to the 2026 Venice Biennale has opened a new split across Europe weeks before the exhibition begins. (ansa.it) Latvia said on Tuesday, April 21, that it had asked for Russia to be excluded, and said about 20 other countries plus Ukraine backed the move. Finland has also said its political leadership will not attend if the Russian pavilion opens as planned. (ansa.it) (artnews.com) The Biennale confirmed on March 4 that Russia is among the national participants in the 61st International Art Exhibition. The show runs from May 9 to November 22, 2026, with pre-opening days on May 6, 7 and 8 in Venice. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2) Russia did not mount a pavilion in the 2022 edition after its artists and curator withdrew following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It also sat out the 2024 art edition, making 2026 its first official return since the war began. (artnews.com) (politico.eu) The fight is not only about one pavilion. The Venice Biennale is one of the art world’s biggest state-backed stages, where countries use national pavilions to project culture, prestige and political legitimacy. (dw.com) (politico.eu) That is why opponents say Russia’s presence cannot be treated as routine while the war in Ukraine continues. Finland’s culture ministry called Russia’s participation “unacceptable” in a March statement signed by ministers from 22 countries. (okm.fi) (km.gov.lv) Biennale organizers have kept Russia on the list while saying they are carrying out the 2026 exhibition as conceived by curator Koyo Kouoh, who died in May 2025. The exhibition title, “In Minor Keys,” and the invited artists were announced in February. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2) Russia’s pavilion sits in the Giardini, the historic core of the Biennale where countries maintain permanent national buildings. That gives the dispute extra weight, because the question is not just whether Russian artists appear somewhere in Venice, but whether the Russian state reclaims its own official space. (rferl.org) (dw.com) For now, the exhibition calendar has not changed, and Russia remains listed among 100 national participations. The next test comes in early May, when ministers, artists and delegates arrive in Venice for the pre-opening. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2)