Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli will skip the opening of the 61st Venice Biennale, scheduled for 9 May, in protest of the Russian pavilion's participation. The Ministry of Culture confirmed in a statement that Giuli will not travel to Venice for the pre-opening days or attend the ceremony, marking a clear diplomatic rift over Moscow's presence at one of Europe's most prestigious cultural events.
Russia had not taken part in the Biennale since 2022, following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This year, however, the Biennale Foundation, led by president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, approved the reopening of the Russian pavilion. The move has stirred tensions not only within the Italian government but also with Brussels and several EU member states.
The Russian Federation pavilion will remain closed to the public from 9 May to 22 November 2026, the entire duration of the event. It will only be accessible to the media from 6 to 8 May, according to reports from Adnkronos.
Divisions Within the Italian Government
Giuli's opposition to Russia's inclusion is not new. In March, he called for the resignation of Tamara Gregoretti, the Culture Ministry's representative on the Biennale's board of directors, after she failed to inform him of the pavilion's potential return or oppose it. Gregoretti refused to step down, stating she acted within the institution's autonomy, where board members do not represent those who appointed them.
The issue has exposed fractures in Italy's ruling coalition. Infrastructure and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, voiced support for Moscow's participation. “There are already too many conflicts around. Those who do art, those who do culture, those who do sport must bring people together, must unite, must include. I am not for the exclusion of anyone, so I invite the Biennale to go ahead,” Salvini said.
Buttafuoco defended the decision by likening the Biennale to the United Nations. “An institution that can be considered the UN of art from which no nation can be excluded,” he told two deputies from the 5 Star Movement, Gaetano Amato and Enrico Cappelletti, who met him to express solidarity. He insisted he had not violated any rules and acted in full compliance with the agreement with the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (Eacea).
Jury Excludes Russia and Israel from Awards
In a separate but related development, the Biennale's jury announced on Thursday that it will exclude Russia and Israel from competing for the Golden Lion and Silver Lion awards. The unprecedented decision targets countries whose leaders are currently accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The statement, signed by jury president Solange Farkas and members Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, reads: “As members of the jury we also feel a responsibility towards the Biennale's historic role as a platform that connects art to the urgencies of our time. In this edition of the Biennale we wish to express our intention: our commitment to the defence of human rights.”
Brussels Threatens Funding
The European Commission has taken a firm stance. In March, it threatened to suspend or revoke the Biennale's two-million-euro funding if the organisation's reasons for hosting the Russian pavilion were not “satisfactory.” Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen and Culture Commissioner Glenn Micallef stated that “Member States, institutions and organisations must act in line with EU sanctions and avoid giving space to individuals who have actively supported or justified the Kremlin's aggression against Ukraine.”
The Biennale's decision has also drawn criticism from other European capitals. The controversy underscores the broader challenge of balancing cultural diplomacy with political accountability, especially as the war in Ukraine continues. For context, recent events such as Zelenskyy's accusations of Russian nuclear terrorism and drone debris hitting Romanian territory highlight the ongoing security threats faced by Europe.
As the Biennale prepares to open, the cultural world watches closely. The event remains a key fixture on Europe's artistic calendar, but this year it is also a stage for geopolitical tensions that extend far beyond the exhibition halls.
