Venice Biennale seeks to challenge EU decision to suspend funding over Russia's return

The Venice Biennale has said it will challenge the European Union's decision to withdraw a €2 million grant in response to Russia's return to the exhibition in 2026.

Source: Reuters, citing the Biennale's organisers; European Pravda

Details: The Biennale's organisers said the decision by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) had been expected and that they would "assert our rights in all competent authorities" to contest the move.

"Cultural events financed with European taxpayers' money should safeguard democratic values and promote dialogue, ‌diversity ⁠and freedom of expression, values that are not respected in present-day Russia," said Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier, according to Italian media.

The Venice Biennale dismissed any connection, saying the funding supported projects organised by its film department and is unrelated to Russia's participation in the festival.

"The measure has ​no significant impact ⁠on the budget, accounts or planned and ongoing activities of La Biennale di Venezia, which remain confirmed," it added.

Background:

• In July, the European Commission recommended that EACEA terminate a €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale over its decision to allow the Russian pavilion to reopen for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
• The grant cancellation procedure was initiated by the European Commission after a statement by Biennale Foundation President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, who confirmed that the Russian pavilion would be reopened at this year's exhibition.
• At the initial stage, the Commission gave the Biennale Foundation thirty days either to abandon its plans or to provide arguments capable of halting the grant cancellation process.
• The European Union subsequently requested additional official clarifications regarding the true nature of Russia's participation in the event.
• Over 20 European countries called for Russia to be barred from participating in the Venice Biennale.
• Ukraine urged the organisers of the Venice Biennale to reconsider their decision regarding Russia's participation and maintain the principled stance they demonstrated between 2022 and 2024.

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