The decision of the Italian cultural exhibition\u2019s organizers to invite Russia has incensed Rome and Brussels<\/p>\n
The entire international jury of the Venice Biennale has tendered their resignations amid pressure caused by the Italian cultural exhibition\u2019s decision to allow Russia and Israel to participate.
\nIn early March, the Venice Biennale Foundation unveiled the line-up of the 2026 art fair, which runs from May 9 through November 22. Russia was included in the list for the first time since 2022, with its \u201cThe tree is rooted in the sky\u201d exhibition. The event organizers noted, however, that the display would be strictly closed to the general public.
\nNevertheless, the decision to allow Russia to participate has provoked harsh criticism from the Italian government and EU officials.
\nAccording to a press release published on Thursday, jury president Solange Farkas, as well as Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi handed in their resignations.
\nIn their resignation letter, the jury members cited their previous statement last week, in which they refused to consider the works that represent \u201ccountries whose leaders are currently charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.\u201d\u00a0While not mentioning any nations directly, the jury was evidently referring to Russia and Israel, whose leaders are subject to ICC arrest warrants \u2013 something both countries have rejected.
\nIn the wake of the jury\u2019s resignation, the Venice Biennale organizers have announced that the awards ceremony, originally slated for May 9, would instead be held on November 22, given the \u201cexceptional nature of the ongoing international geopolitical situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Italy probes Venice Biennale over Russian participation \u2013 media<\/p>\n
Commenting on the development in a post on X on Friday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga claimed that by inviting Russia, the event organizers have harmed the Venice Biennale. He added that there was still time to reverse their decision.
\nMeanwhile, last Thursday, European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier confirmed that Brussels would carry through on its previous threat to withhold a \u20ac2 million ($2.34 million) grant from the Venice Biennale.
\nMikhail Shvydkoy, a Russian presidential aide for international cultural cooperation, characterized the commission\u2019s decision as \u201cdisgraceful,\u201d with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova similarly denouncing it as a \u201crelapse into anti-culture.\u201d
\nSpeaking to the press, Russian art critic Elizaveta Likhacheva described the sum in question as too insignificant for the Venice Biennale\u2019s organizers to pay attention to.
\nEarlier this week, Italian media reported that the country\u2019s Ministry of Culture had sent inspectors to check on the event organizers\u2019 compliance with EU sanctions against Russia.
\nAs for Israel, the country did not take part in last year\u2019s Venice Architecture Biennale, citing renovations to its pavilion. This year, however, the Jewish state is among the nations invited to the art fair.
\nIn mid-March, some 178 artists participating in the event signed an open letter calling for Israel\u2019s exclusion, citing its ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which has been marked by widespread civilian casualties.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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