The European Commission has condemned the decision to allow Russia to take part in the 2026 edition of the Venice Biennale. It also warned that EU funding for the event could be withdrawn if the move goes ahead.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, Henna Virkkunen and Glenn Micallef said the decision by the Biennale Foundation to reopen the Russian national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition was incompatible with the European Union’s position on Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“We strongly condemn the Biennale Foundation’s decision to allow Russia to reopen its national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale in 2026,” the statement said.
The commissioners also said the move was “not compatible with the EU’s collective response to Russia’s brutal aggression”.
They added that if the organisers proceed with Russia’s participation, the European Commission would consider taking further action. This could include suspending or terminating an existing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation.
“The European Commission has been clear in its position regarding Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine,” the statement said.
Cultural institutions should uphold democratic values
It added that cultural institutions should uphold democratic values and should not be used as vehicles for political messaging.
“Culture promotes and safeguards democratic values, fosters open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression, and should never be used as a platform for propaganda,” the commissioners said.
They also urged member states and cultural organisations to act in line with EU sanctions imposed after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
“Member states, institutions and organisations must act in line with EU sanctions and avoid providing a platform to individuals who have actively supported or justified the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine,” the statement said.
The European Commission did not specify the size of the funding potentially at risk but indicated that financial support to the Biennale could be reconsidered if the organisers do not reverse their decision.
