Controversial Russia Pavilion Opens at 2026 Venice Biennale

The Russia Pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, the most debated pavilion of the edition, has finally opened to the public. The pavilion, originally built in 1914 and recently restored by Italian architects 2050+, is operating only from May 5 to 8 due to sanctions preventing a formal permit for extended operation. The pavilion's participation was controversial: it was invited without notifying the Russian government, and questions arose about whether it self-invited. The exhibition, titled 'L'Albero Radicato nel Cielo' (The Tree Rooted in the Sky), focuses on botany and scent, aligning with the Biennale's international theme 'In Minor Keys.' The space is transformed into a perfumed flower shop offering free drinks and used clothing. The program features musical improvisations, ensemble performances, techno music, and interactive actions. The project is coordinated by the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music, involving young poets, musicians, and philosophers who prefer anonymity as a collective. A chill room with a conifer grove shows videos. Outside, a concrete deer symbolizing Ukrainian resistance is visible on a crane.