EU threatens to cut Venice Biennale funding over Russian pavilion

The European Commission warned on March 10 that it could suspend or terminate grant funding for the Venice Biennale after organizers allowed Russia to reopen its national pavilion at the 2026 exhibition, marking Moscow's first participation since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Glenn Micallef, the Commissioner for youth, culture and sport, issued a joint statement condemning the Fondazione Biennale's decision. "Culture promotes and safeguards democratic values, fosters open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression, and should never be used as a platform for propaganda," they said.Ukrainska Pravda+1

The officials called the Biennale's move "not compatible with the EU's collective response to Russia's brutal aggression," warning that if the foundation proceeds, "we will examine further action, including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation".Ukrainska Pravda

A Firestorm of Opposition

The EU's rebuke caps a week of escalating backlash since the Biennale published its list of national participants on March 3, confirming Russia among 99 countries for the 61st International Art Exhibition opening May 9. The Biennale defended the decision, stating it "rejects any form of exclusion or censorship of culture and art" and that any country recognized by Italy may participate if it owns a pavilion in the Giardini.FinestreArte+1

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna called on the Biennale to "reconsider their decision" and maintain the stance taken in 2022–2024. Italy's own Ministry of Culture distanced itself from the Biennale, stating the decision was made "in total autonomy" and "despite the Italian Government's opposition". A cross-party group of European Parliament members published a letter calling Russia's inclusion "unacceptable," warning it "risks lending legitimacy to a regime responsible for ongoing violence". More than 4,000 artists, curators, and public figures signed an open letter opposing the participation.The Star+4

Ties to Russia's Defense Sector

Particular scrutiny has fallen on Anastasia Karneeva, the commissioner of the Russian pavilion. According to The Art Newspaper, Karneeva is the daughter of a former FSB general who currently serves as deputy chief executive of Rostec, the sanctioned state-owned defense conglomerate. Karneeva co-founded Smart Art, a company that produces art exhibitions, with the daughter of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.The Art Newspaper - International art news and events

Russia's delegate for international cultural exchanges, Mikhail Shvydkoy, has framed the pavilion not as a return but a continuation, telling ARTnews that "Russia never left the Venice Biennale". The pavilion, titled "The Tree is Rooted in the Sky," will feature over 50 artists and musicians from Russia and countries including Argentina, Brazil, Mali, and Mexico. The dissident punk collective Pussy Riot announced plans for a protest performance, calling Russia's cultural participation "a serious blow to Europe's security" and part of Moscow's "hybrid warfare".ARTnews+2