Riga Biennial Suspends Third Edition Amid Heritage Tensions

The Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art (RIBOCA) has suspended its third edition, originally scheduled to open on 10 August 2023. Organizers cited concerns over the heritage of executive members, which includes Russian, Lithuanian, and Latvian nationalities, and the rekindling of tensions from an occupied past due to Russia's war in Ukraine. The biennial had already postponed the 2022 edition, titled 'Exercises in Respect' and curated by René Block, after Russia's invasion. In a statement, organizers said they were forced to confront that their efforts might be 'inappropriate or unwanted' despite seven years of engagement with the local cultural community and attempts to revise funding structures. They emphasized their condemnation of Russia's attack and solidarity with those calling for an end to the war. The future of RIBOCA remains uncertain.