Italian culture minister boycotts Venice Biennale opening over Russia's return

Italian culture minister Alessandro Giuli announced he will not attend the Venice Biennale opening next week, protesting Russia's participation. Russia had been absent since 2022 but retains a permanent pavilion in the Giardini, limiting the Biennale Foundation's ability to exclude it. In March, 22 European ministers signed a letter calling Russia's return 'unacceptable' amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Last week, the European Union cut its €2 million grant to the Biennale. The following day, Golden and Silver Lion jurors declared they will not consider pavilions of countries whose leaders face International Criminal Court charges for crimes against humanity—effectively excluding Russia, as Vladimir Putin is charged with unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.