European Commission threatens to pull funding for Venice Biennale over Russia’s inclusion
The European Commission has threatened to pull funding from the Venice Biennale if it allows Russia to be involved.
Last week, organisers of the world’s most prestigious art event announced plans to re-integrate the Russian Federation after freezing them out following the illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Organisers stated, “The Biennale, like the city of Venice, continues to be a place of dialogue, openness and artistic freedom, encouraging links between peoples and cultures, with the unshakeable hope of seeing an end to conflict and suffering.”
This decision has been condemned widely, including by the Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, as well as by Ukrainian authorities.
The 61st International Art Exhibition in Venice is set to run from May 9th to November 22nd and will see 38 countries from across the globe have a pavilion at the Italian event. The Russian entry is titled, The Tree Is Rooted in the Sky, and is set to be a series of musical performances.
However, the European Commission is now pleading with the Biennale to walk back its decision regarding Russia’s inclusion, and stated they may cut funding if the request isn’t granted.
In a statement, the European Commission wrote, “We strongly condemn the decision by the Fondazione Biennale to allow Russia to re-open its national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the 2026 Venice Biennale.”
They added in regards to the ongoing war against Ukraine, “The European Commission has been clear in its stance concerning Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Culture promotes and safeguards democratic values, fosters open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression, and should never be used as a platform for propaganda.”
Their message then continued to outline the European Commission’s stance on Russian involvement in events such as the Venice Biennale, adding, “Member States, institutions and organisations must act in line with EU sanctions and avoid giving a platform to individuals who have actively supported or justified the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine.”
The European Commission stressed that “this decision by the Fondazione Biennale is not compatible with the EU’s collective response to Russia’s brutal aggression.”
They concluded their message by threatening to cut off their funding of the Venice Biennale if Russia is permitted to be involved, stating, “Should the Fondazione Biennale go forward with its decision to allow Russia’s participation, we will examine further action, including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation.”
As it stands, Russia remains set to be involved, and marks the second cultural event of the year that has seen them reintegrated following the Paralympics in Italy.
