Ukraine Returns to Venice Architecture Biennale with Pavilion After Decade

Ukraine will have its own pavilion at the 18th Venice Architecture Biennale (May 20–November 26, 2023) for the first time in nine years. The project, titled 'Before the Future,' is curated by Iryna Miroshnykova, Oleksii Petrov, and Borys Filonenko. The pavilion is located at the Arsenale, while an open-air installation will be placed at the Giardini's Spazio Esedra. Commissioner Mariana Oleskiv stated that Ukraine has become a powerful agent of transformation for the future image of Europe and the world, sharing hopes for a future free from aggression. The pavilion reflects the ongoing war with Russia, which is not participating in the Biennale. The Arsenale space is designed as claustrophobic, symbolizing abandoned places that can become vital for survival and hope. The Giardini installation is based on a 10th-century fortification network near Kyiv that was reactivated during the early days of the Russian invasion. Curators emphasized that over 400 days of war have shown that stories cannot be told without defense, and Ukrainian resistance offers new concepts of the future based on self-organization, personal contribution, and state-building. Throughout the Biennale, the Ukrainian spaces will host meetings for the cultural community to share stories and experiences.