Venice Biennale rift

The European Union says it intends to cut funding to the Venice Biennale after the exhibition moved to bring back Russia’s pavilion in 2026. (artnews.com) European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the decision came after a meeting of foreign ministers on April 21, arguing Russia should not be given a cultural platform while its war against Ukraine continues. Politico and ArtNews reported the warning as the sharpest response yet from Brussels. (politico.eu; artnews.com) The 61st International Art Exhibition is scheduled to run in Venice from May 9 to November 22, 2026, with preview days on May 6, 7 and 8. La Biennale said on April 22 that its awards ceremony will be held on May 9 and named a five-member international jury led by Solange Oliveira Farkas. (labiennale.org) The fight is no longer only about one national pavilion. It has turned into a test of whether European governments will treat a state-backed cultural appearance by Russia as normal while the war in Ukraine is still underway. (politico.eu; artnews.com) Latvia pushed the issue into the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council on April 22, saying it wanted Russia barred from the Biennale and sanctions imposed on figures “closely linked” to the Russian political regime who use culture to support Moscow’s war aims. Latvia’s foreign ministry said it raised the matter with European Union partners in Luxembourg. (mfa.gov.lv) ANSA reported on April 21 that Latvia said its call to exclude Russia had backing from 20 other countries plus Ukraine. Latvian public media reported in March that a joint statement had already been organized by ministers from 22 European countries. (ansa.it; eng.lsm.lv) Ukraine is pressing Italy on visas as well as participation. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said on April 22 that Kyiv expects Italy, as host country, not to issue visas to Russian participants in the 2026 Biennale. (en.interfax.com.ua) The Biennale’s Russia dispute has been building for weeks. Euronews reported on April 13 that the reopening of the Russian pavilion had already triggered tension between Brussels and Italian institutions, with European lawmakers urging action against the move. (euronews.com) La Biennale has kept preparing the exhibition on its public timetable despite the diplomatic pressure. With jury appointments now announced and the opening fixed for May 9, the question is whether Brussels, Rome and participating states force a change before the first awards are handed out. (labiennale.org; artnews.com)