Venice Biennale strike: 18 pavilions close in protest against Israel's participation
On May 8, a strike by the Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA) led to the temporary or partial closure of more than 15 national pavilions at the Venice Biennale, protesting Israel's involvement and labor practices. Approximately 18 pavilions, such as those from Austria, Lebanon, Slovenia, Egypt, Poland, and the Netherlands, took part. Dries Verhoeven from the Netherlands showcased a Palestinian flag, drawing parallels between the boycott and South Africa's apartheid. Poland's pavilion was closed from 4 to 7 PM, with commissioner Agniescka Pindera advocating for a revision of participation guidelines. While Japan's pavilion remained open, it halted interactive features. The strike, endorsed by Italian trade unions, follows a March letter from over 200 participants requesting the cancellation of the Israeli pavilion. Russia's pavilion is set to close after its public opening on May 9.
Key facts
- Strike on 8 May 2026 at Venice Biennale
- Organized by Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- Around 18 pavilions closed fully or partially
- Participating countries: Austria, Lebanon, Slovenia, Egypt, Poland, Netherlands
- Netherlands artist Dries Verhoeven protested with Palestinian flag
- Poland pavilion closed 4-7pm
- Japan pavilion suspended interactive elements
- Backed by Italian trade unions ADL Cobas, Unione Sindacale di Base, Confederazione Unitaria di Base
- ANGA demands end to Israel's normalization in culture
- Also protests precarious labor conditions
- Follows March open letter signed by 200+ participants
- Prize jury resigned last month over Russia and Israel
- Russia pavilion to close after public opening on 9 May
- EU warned Biennale may breach sanctions over Russia
- Israel represented by Belu-Simion Fainaru
- Rally on Via Garibaldi scheduled for afternoon
Entities
Artists
- Dries Verhoeven
- Hadar Ophir
- Armen Agop
- Belu-Simion Fainaru
- Diaki Kone
- Agniescka Pindera
- Tabita Rezaire
- Florentina Holzinger
Institutions
- Art Not Genocide Alliance (ANGA)
- Venice Biennale
- La Biennale di Venezia
- European Union (EU)
- Associazione Difesa Lavoratori (ADL Cobas)
- Unione Sindacale di Base
- Confederazione Unitaria di Base
- The Art Newspaper
- Art Not Genocide Alliance (Anga)
- Pussy Riot
- British pavilion
- Dutch pavilion
- Austrian pavilion
- Belgian pavilion
- Japanese pavilion
- Macedonian pavilion
- Korean pavilion
- Spanish pavilion
- French pavilion
- Egyptian pavilion
- Finnish pavilion
- Luxembourg pavilion
- Israeli pavilion
- Russian pavilion
- The Guardian
- Austrian Pavilion
- Belgian Pavilion
- Egyptian Pavilion
- Japanese Pavilion
- Netherlands Pavilion
- South Korean Pavilion
- Israeli Pavilion
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Arsenale
- Giardini
- Via Garibaldi
- Austria
- Lebanon
- Slovenia
- Egypt
- Poland
- Netherlands
- Israel
- Russia
- South Africa
- Haifa
- Mali