Venice Biennale jury resigns over inclusion of Russia
The international jury at the Venice Biennale have resigned en masse over the inclusion of Russia in the 2026 art festival.
In March, 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.
This led to a huge backlash, causing the European Union to cut funding to the Venice Biennale in response to allowing Russia to compete.
Italian Prime Minister, Georgia Meloni, also made it clear that she doesn’t support Russia’s involvement, stating it “is a decision not shared by the government”.
Now, with just days to go before the world’s biggest annual art event is set to open its doors, the international jury has withdrawn amid Russia’s involvement.
The statement of intention ahead of the official resignation, signed by Solange Oliveira Farkas, Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, reads, “At this edition of the Biennale, we wish to set out our intention—to express our commitment to the defense of human rights and to the spirit of Koyo Kouoh’s curatorial project.”
It adds, “Consequently, this jury will refrain from considering those countries whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.”
The international jury then quoted Venice’s artistic director Koyo Kouoh’s own curatorial statement, which reads, “In refusing the spectacle of horror, the time has come to listen to the minor keys, to tune in sotto voce to the whispers, to the lower frequencies; to find the oases, the islands, where the dignity of all living beings is safeguarded.”
Kouoh was appointed as artistic director for the 2026 edition; however, she sadly died last year.
Despite the jury resigning and funding being cut, the 61st International Art Exhibition in Venice is still 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.
