European Union warns Venice Biennale over Russian pavilion participation

Wednesday 11 March 2026 - 09:20

By: Dakir Madiha

European Union warns Venice Biennale over Russian pavilion participation

The European Commission warned on March 10 that it may suspend or terminate funding for the Venice Biennale after organizers allowed Russia to reopen its national pavilion for the 2026 exhibition, marking Moscow’s first participation since its full scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago.

European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner for Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef issued a joint statement criticizing the decision by the Fondazione Biennale. They said culture should promote democratic values, encourage open dialogue and freedom of expression, and must not be used as a platform for propaganda.

The officials described the move as incompatible with the European Union’s collective response to Russia’s military aggression. They warned that if the Biennale proceeds with the decision, the Commission will consider additional measures, including suspending or ending an ongoing EU grant awarded to the foundation.

The warning follows a week of growing criticism after the Biennale published its list of participating countries on March 3, confirming Russia among the 99 national participants in the 61st International Art Exhibition scheduled to open on May 9.

Biennale organizers defended their decision, stating that the institution rejects any form of cultural exclusion or censorship. They argued that any country recognized by Italy and possessing a pavilion in the Giardini area of Venice is eligible to participate.

Ukraine strongly condemned the decision. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna urged the Biennale to reconsider and maintain the policy adopted between 2022 and 2024, when Russia was excluded following the invasion.

Italy’s Ministry of Culture also distanced itself from the decision, saying it was taken independently by the Biennale and despite opposition from the Italian government.

Members of the European Parliament from multiple political groups published a letter calling Russia’s participation unacceptable and warning that it could legitimize a government responsible for ongoing violence. More than 4,000 artists, curators, and public figures have also signed an open letter opposing Russia’s presence at the event.

Additional controversy surrounds Anastasia Karneeva, the curator of the Russian pavilion. According to The Art Newspaper, she is the daughter of a former FSB general who currently serves as deputy chief executive of Rostec, the Russian state defense conglomerate under international sanctions. Karneeva also co founded Smart Art, an exhibition production company, with the daughter of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Russian cultural envoy Mikhail Shvydkoi described the pavilion not as a return but as a continuation of Russia’s participation in the event. Speaking to ARTnews, he said Russia had never left the Venice Biennale.

The pavilion, titled “The tree takes root in the sky,” will feature more than 50 artists and musicians from Russia and other countries including Argentina, Brazil, Mali, and Mexico.

Meanwhile, the dissident punk collective Pussy Riot announced plans to stage a protest performance during the exhibition, describing Russia’s cultural participation as a serious threat to European security and part of what they called Moscow’s hybrid warfare strategy.