Iran Reaffirms Plans for 2026 Venice Biennale Despite Earlier Withdrawal
Iran's general director of visual arts, Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani, told the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) on Tuesday that the country still intends to participate in the 61st Venice Biennale. This contradicts a 4 May statement from the Biennale announcing Iran's withdrawal. Tehrani, listed as the pavilion's commissioner, said discussions with Biennale organizers are ongoing and they await a response. He cited difficulties related to costs, lack of infrastructure, and uncertainty over the war with Israel and the US, which could affect diplomatic relations with Italy. An initial proposal to reduce Iran's presence to two or three months was rejected by the Biennale.
Key facts
- Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani is the general director of visual arts at the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
- Tehrani spoke to the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) on Tuesday.
- Iran still plans to participate in the 61st Venice Biennale.
- The Biennale announced on 4 May that Iran would not participate.
- Tehrani is listed as the pavilion's commissioner.
- Discussions with Biennale organizers are ongoing.
- Difficulties include costs, lack of infrastructure, and uncertainty regarding the war with Israel and the US.
- An initial suggestion to reduce Iran's presence to two or three months was rejected by the Biennale.
Entities
Artists
- Aydin Mahdizadeh Tehrani
- Koyo Kouoh
Institutions
- Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
- Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA)
- Venice Biennale
- ArtNews
- Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance (MCIG)
- Tehran's Museum of Contemporary Art
- The Art Newspaper
- Fox News
- Bienal de Veneza
- Labiennale.org
- Dasartes
Locations
- Iran
- Venice
- Italy
- United States
- Israel
- Middle East
- Russia
- Giardini
- Arsenale
- Irã
- Veneza
- Itália