Russian Pavilion at Venice Biennale Opens with Folk Dances and Flowers, No Protest

The controversial Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Arte has opened to preview visitors with a deliberately depoliticized presentation. The project, conceived by young musicians, philosophers, and poets from various countries, emphasizes collective authorship over individual names. Inside, the pavilion features only flowers and traditional Russian folk songs and dances performed by a group in a circle. There are no references to institutions, the socio-political situation, or controversial figures like Putin. The absence of protests or demonstrations surprised early visitors, given the widespread debate surrounding Russia's participation. The article questions why such controversy was raised over allowing artists to exhibit, suggesting instead that political and institutional representatives of the country should have been excluded.