27 Pavilions Shut as Strike Hits 61st Venice Biennale
On May 8, the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) partnered with several Italian activist organizations to hold a 24-hour protest at the Venice Biennale, leading to the closure of approximately 27 of the 100 national pavilions. A diverse range of countries, including Austria, Japan, and Ukraine, had their exhibits shut down. The demonstration drew over 3,500 participants, marking a record turnout for the event. Prominent speakers such as Gabrielle Goliath and Caroline Dumalin addressed the crowd. Additionally, the main exhibition titled "In Minor Keys" was closed by the afternoon, with Russia's pavilion following suit on May 9, the opening day.
Key facts
- Strike on May 8, 2026, organized by ANGA and Italian activist groups
- Approximately 27 of 100 national pavilions closed fully or partially
- Over 3,500 people marched in Venice
- Main exhibition 'In Minor Keys' closed by late afternoon with riot police
- Israeli pavilion remained closed; Russian pavilion closed on May 9
- Pussy Riot staged smoke-flare protest on May 6
- Prize jury resigned after refusing to consider pavilions from countries with ICC-charged leaders
- European Commission suspended €2 million grant to Biennale Foundation
Entities
Artists
- Gabrielle Goliath
- Mohammed Joha
- Caroline Dumalin
- Koyo Kouoh
- Pussy Riot
Institutions
- Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- Biennalocene
- Mi Riconosci?
- Sale Docks
- Vogliamo tutt'altro
- Chiesa di Sant'Antonin
- Belgian pavilion
- South Africa Pavilion
- Israeli pavilion
- Russian pavilion
- European Commission
- Biennale Foundation
- ArtAsiaPacific
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Arsenale
- Giardini
- Austria
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Great Britain
- Iceland
- Japan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine