Italian Pavilion Press Conference at Venice Biennale Sparks Controversy

The Italian Pavilion press conference for the 2026 Venice Biennale, held at the Ministry of Culture, was marked by tensions between Minister Alessandro Giuli and Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. Giuli criticized the inclusion of the Russian pavilion, calling Russia a dictatorial regime that censors art and recalling the war in Ukraine. Buttafuoco defended the decision, emphasizing the Biennale's independence from political power. Curator Cecilia Canziani and artist Chiara Camoni presented the pavilion project titled "con te… con tutto," praised for its simplicity and poetry. However, the conference was criticized for limiting journalist access; reporters were confined to a separate room with no opportunity to ask questions. Buttafuoco left abruptly, avoiding inquiries about the absence of Italian artists in the main international exhibition, the selection process for artists to meet late artistic director Koyo Kouoh, and the decision to host Russian participation. Director General Angelo Piero Cappello stated only questions about the national pavilion would be accepted, leaving many issues unresolved.