Manifesta 10 to Proceed in St. Petersburg Despite LGBT Rights Concerns

Manifesta, the European biennial, will hold its 10th edition at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 2024, despite controversy over Russia's anti-LGBT legislation. The decision follows a petition initiated by Irish artist and curator Noel Kelly, which garnered over 1,700 signatures urging relocation. In a statement, Manifesta expressed solidarity with concerns about LGBT rights violations but emphasized its commitment to dialogue in contested regions. The organization cited its founding principles of engagement and adaptability post-Cold War, rejecting a 'safe haven' approach. A quote from St. Petersburg-based LGBT group Coming Out supported maintaining international channels to challenge human rights abuses, referencing the Olympics boycott calls. The Russian federal law banning 'propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships' to minors, adopted earlier in 2023, underpins the debate. Manifesta 10 aims to explore 25 years of global transformation through contemporary art.