Venice Biennale Russia Controversy: Funding Threatened as Outcry Grows
ROME — The inclusion of Russia in the 2026 Venice Biennale art fair has sparked international outcry, with the European Commission threatening to withhold funding and 22 European countries demanding Moscow stay away again over its war in Ukraine. The scandal at the world’s oldest and most important contemporary art fair has put Italy’s Culture Ministry in the crosshairs.
Diplomatic Fallout and Italian Government Response
The situation comes just weeks after the Italian government defended the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli is navigating the diplomatic fallout, publicly opposing the Biennale’s decision while acknowledging the governing foundation’s independence and autonomous action in including Russia in the 61st arts festival.
Russia’s Historical Participation and Recent Absence
Russia has a permanent pavilion in the Giardini exhibition area and, according to the fair’s rules, has a streamlined process for participation. However, Moscow has not participated since the start of the war in Ukraine. In 2022, the Russian pavilion was closed after its artists withdrew following the invasion. In 2024, the pavilion was loaned to Bolivia for its exhibition.
Biennale’s Announcement and Mounting Criticism
The Venice Biennale Foundation announced the line-up for the 2026 edition on March 4, which runs from May 9 to November 22. Ninety-nine nations are participating, including seven first-time entrants. Russia’s return was not prominently highlighted, but it was included in the list of participating countries with an exhibition entitled “The Tree is Rooted in the Sky,” featuring approximately three dozen Russian artists.
Government Actions and Ukrainian Response
As criticism mounted, Minister Giuli fired Tamara Gregoretti, the ministry official on the Biennale board, accusing her of failing to disclose Russia’s intention to participate and supporting its inclusion. He also launched an investigation to determine if Russia’s participation complies with EU sanctions, requesting all relevant documentation from the Biennale, including correspondence with Moscow regarding the pavilion’s setup, and management.
Minister Giuli spoke with Ukrainian Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna, reiterating Italy’s commitment to protecting Ukraine’s cultural identity and supporting the reconstruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Berezhna expressed Kiev’s view that Russia’s participation is “unacceptable” and contrasts with Italy’s strong support for Ukraine.
Defense of the Decision and European Opposition
Pietrangolo Buttafuoco, the head of the Biennale Foundation, defended the decision as an act against censorship. He announced that this year’s edition will include dedicated exhibition spaces for “dissident” art and recalled the Venice Film Festival’s premiere of “The Wizard of the Kremlin,” a critical portrayal of Vladimir Putin. However, 22 European countries jointly expressed their “profound concern” in a letter to Buttafuoco, warning that Russia could exploit its participation to project a false image of legitimacy.
EU Funding at Risk
The European Commission condemned the Biennale’s decision and threatened to withhold EU funds, potentially totaling 2 million euros over three years. Commissioners Henna Virkkunen and Glenn Micallef stated that they would consider suspending or terminating EU funding to the Biennale Foundation if Russia is allowed to participate. Statement by EVP Virkkunen and Commissioner Micallef
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