EU Cuts Biennale Funding Over Russian Artists, Italian Politicians React

The Venice Biennale Foundation has responded to a reported cut in European Union funding, stating it learned of the decision via social media rather than official channels. The foundation claims it has complied with all requests from the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) and awaits formal technical notice to assess next steps. It emphasizes that affected programs continue and are only marginally co-financed by the disputed contribution. Italian political figures reacted strongly: Veneto Region President Luca Zaia called the cut an unacceptable retaliation for the presence of Russian artists, asserting that culture should not be censored. Vice President Alberto Stefani warned against allowing unelected bodies to impose conditions on cultural funding. Undersecretary for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni accused the EU of political interference, stating that the decision undermines the rule of law and harms Venice's cultural work.