EU threatens to cut Venice Biennale funding over Russian pavilion

The European Commission has warned that it may suspend or end EU funding for the Venice Biennale if Russia is permitted to take part in the 2026 event. Henna Virkkunen, the Finnish vice-president of the Commission, along with Glenn Micallef, the Maltese Commissioner for Culture, stated that allowing Russia's participation would contradict the EU's unified stance against its aggression. The Biennale Foundation faces challenges in denying access due to Russia's permanent pavilion in the Giardini and previously indicated it could not remove Israel or Iran. A letter from culture ministers of 22 European nations, including France, Germany, Ireland, and Ukraine, expressed opposition to Russia's involvement. Russia last participated in 2019, and artist Kirill Savchenkov withdrew in 2022 following the Ukraine invasion. In 2024, Bolivia utilized the pavilion at Russia's request. The 2026 exhibition will be curated by Anastasia Karneeva, daughter of former KGB/FSB general Nikolai Anatolyevich Volobuev, who collaborates with Ekaterina Vinokurova, daughter of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the latter of whom is sanctioned by the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan.