Fourteen of the European Union's 27 member states have backed a suspension of funding for the Venice Biennale after Russia reopened its national pavilion at the prestigious art exhibition, according to diplomats present at a meeting of EU culture ministers in Brussels on Tuesday.
The discussion, described by several attendees as heated, was initiated by Latvian Culture Minister Agnese Lāce, who warned against what she called “the instrumentalization of cultural institutions by Russia.” The ministers' stance aligns with the European Commission's decision to freeze a €2 million grant to the Biennale Foundation, citing a breach of conditions tied to the funding.
Belgium, Spain, and Poland were among the countries that argued culture must not be used to whitewash Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. They stressed the importance of preventing any circumvention of sanctions by Russian individuals involved in the exhibition. The Commission, together with Cyprus's EU rotating presidency, called for reallocating the Biennale's funds to Ukraine's reconstruction instead.
Diplomatic Tensions and Italian Divisions
The controversy has exposed divisions within the Italian government. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli boycotted the opening ceremony of the Biennale, while Vice Prime Minister Matteo Salvini defended the principle of artistic freedom and even visited the Russian pavilion. Italy was represented at the EU meeting by Ambassador Marco Canaparo rather than Minister Giuli, a move that some interpreted as an attempt to avoid direct criticism.
The Biennale Foundation has defended its decision, arguing that the event should remain “a place of dialogue, openness and artistic freedom.” It maintains that it cannot prevent a country from participating, as any state recognized by the Italian Republic can apply to join the exhibition. Russia has maintained a pavilion within the exhibition grounds and, under the rules, can independently decide whether to take part in each edition. Its last participation was in 2019; Russian artists withdrew in 2022, and the country did not present a pavilion in 2024, instead lending its space to Bolivia.
This year's edition opened on Saturday amid protests against the participation of both Russia and Israel. The Russian dissident collectives Pussy Riot and Femen staged demonstrations, displaying slogans against Vladimir Putin while wearing balaclavas and topless. The Biennale's international jury, which assigns the main awards to pavilions, collectively resigned after criticism for its decision to exclude from prizes those countries whose leaders are currently accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.
The European Commission had already initiated proceedings in April to cut funding, notifying the Biennale of a breach of the grant's conditions. If not addressed, this could lead to the suspension or termination of the grant. Brussels has strongly condemned the Biennale's decision, claiming that culture “should never be used as a platform for propaganda” and warning that the Russian stand could become a “platform to individuals who have actively supported or justified the aggression against Ukraine.”
The episode underscores the broader challenge Europe faces in balancing cultural diplomacy with geopolitical accountability. As the war in Ukraine continues, with Russian drone barrages hitting residential areas, the question of how to treat Russian cultural presence abroad remains deeply divisive. The Biennale's fate now hinges on whether the foundation can address the Commission's concerns or risk losing EU funding entirely.
