Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art Postponed to 2023 Due to Ukraine War

The third edition of the Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art, originally scheduled to open on 15 July 2022, has been postponed to 2023. Titled Exercises in Respect and curated by René Block, the exhibition's delay responds directly to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Organizers stated that proceeding with a celebration of art and togetherness feels impossible while atrocities continue in Ukraine. They strongly condemned the Russian attack and called for an immediate end to the war. The biennial's team emphasized the need for discourse on how art institutions can engage societies during conflict. Questions were raised about what platforms for expression artists and curators require in such times. The decision reflects a broader ethical stance within the international art community regarding cultural events during humanitarian crises. RIBOCA3's postponement highlights the practical and moral challenges facing large-scale exhibitions in regions affected by geopolitical violence.