EU Parliament Members Urge Funding Cut for Venice Biennale Over Russian Pavilion

Thirty-seven European Parliament members have signed a letter calling for the European Union to withdraw financial support from the Venice Biennale due to Russia's planned participation. The letter, obtained by Politico, argues that EU funding should not support an event featuring a nation under extensive sanctions. It states that approximately 2 million euros have been allocated to the Biennale over three years. The signatories demand a review of the Russian Pavilion's organizers and potential sanctions against individuals linked to the Russian government. The Biennale has responded that it cannot exclude nations and has announced additional programming addressing political dissent.