Venice Biennale keeps Russian Pavilion closed to the public during main exhibition

La Biennale di Venezia is set to keep the Russian Pavilion closed to the public during the main run of Biennale Arte 2026, with access limited to preview days on May 6, 7, and 8. (artnews.com) (labiennale.org) The 61st International Art Exhibition opens to the public on Saturday, May 9, and runs through Sunday, November 22, 2026, under the title *In Minor Keys*. The exhibition was conceived by curator Koyo Kouoh, and the Biennale has said it will proceed with her show with the support of her family. (labiennale.org 1) (labiennale.org 2) Reports on the pavilion closure stem from emails reviewed by Italian and art-industry outlets, which said organizers discussed allowing Russia to open only for the vernissage before shutting the building to general visitors. ARTnews reported that arrangement as the Biennale prepared to open. (artnews.com) (news.artnet.com) That leaves Russia in the official lineup while making its pavilion effectively absent from the public exhibition after opening week. The Biennale’s own March announcement said the 2026 edition would be accompanied by 100 national participations and 31 collateral events. (labiennale.org) (artnews.com) Russia’s return has been contentious since March, when the Biennale confirmed the Russian Federation among participating countries after two editions shaped by the fallout from Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Politico reported the move marked Russia’s first official pavilion since that invasion. (politico.eu) (artnews.com) The European Commission then challenged the Biennale over whether Russia’s participation complied with sanctions rules. ARTnews reported the commission gave Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco until May 11 to answer allegations that accepting a Russian state-backed pavilion could amount to indirect support. (artnews.com) By April 23, the dispute had financial consequences. Politico and *Il Sole 24 Ore* reported that the European Union moved to cut a €2 million grant tied to the Biennale over Russia’s participation. (politico.eu) (en.ilsole24ore.com) The Biennale has defended itself by saying Russia’s participation “fully complies with the rules” and that it followed sanctions requirements and informed authorities in advance. That response was reported by LaPresse on April 26. (lapresse.us) The wider exhibition remains large even with the Russia dispute hanging over it. The Biennale says there will be 31 collateral events, while outside guides say seven countries — including Qatar, Somalia, and Vietnam — are making their first appearance in the art exhibition. (labiennale.org) (veneziadavivere.com) So the Russian Pavilion is returning to the Giardini in name, but not as a normal stop on the public route from May 9 to November 22. In Venice this year, the building may stand as a participant that most ticket holders never get to enter. (artnews.com) (labiennale.org)