Venice Biennale 2026 Pre-Opening Features Peace Dialogues, New Archive Opening, and Literary Presentation
From May 6 to 8, 2026, La Biennale di Venezia will present three exclusive evenings under the title 'Biennale della Parola / Il dissenso e la pace' at the Sala delle Colonne in Ca’ Giustinian. On May 6, Russian director Alexander Sokurov will deliver a talk, followed by Palestinian author Suad Amiry on May 7. The final evening on May 8 will feature a gathering of all artistic directors. The customary pre-opening cocktails have been canceled. Additionally, the new Archivio Storico headquarters will launch on June 1-2, 2026, with a series of curated lectures and performances, culminating in a public open day on June 3. The 'Biennale della Parola / Letteratura' series will resume on June 5, 2026, showcasing Giovanni Grasso's book 'Finché durerà la terra' alongside a discussion with Roberto Papetti.
Key facts
- Three invitation-only evenings on peace and dissent during Biennale Arte 2026 pre-opening
- Events held May 6-8, 2026, at Ca’ Giustinian's Sala delle Colonne
- Speakers include Alexander Sokurov (May 6) and Suad Amiry (May 7)
- May 8 features all Biennale artistic directors: Alberto Barbera, Caterina Barbieri, Willem Dafoe, Wayne McGregor, Wang Shu, Lu Wenyu
- No traditional pre-opening cocktails at Ca’ Giustinian during these nights
- New Archivio Storico headquarters at Arsenale opens June 1-2, 2026, with invitation-only lectures and performances
- Public open day for the restored archive on June 3, 2026, by reservation
- Biennale della Parola / Letteratura event on June 5, 2026, presents Giovanni Grasso's book with dialogue by Roberto Papetti
Entities
Artists
- Alexander Sokurov
- Suad Amiry
- Alberto Barbera
- Caterina Barbieri
- Willem Dafoe
- Wayne McGregor
- Wang Shu
- Lu Wenyu
- Giovanni Grasso
- Roberto Papetti
Institutions
- La Biennale di Venezia
- Biennale Arte
- Archivio Storico – Centro Internazionale della Ricerca sulle Arti Contemporanee
- Rizzoli
- Il Gazzettino
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Ca’ Giustinian
- Sala delle Colonne
- Arsenale