The European Commission has put the Venice Biennale on notice to justify the reopening of the Russian pavilion for the 2026 edition, threatening to suspend or withdraw a subsidy of 1.8 million euros planned for the 2028 edition. In a letter sent in April, the Executive Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA) granted the Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia a period of thirty days to respond to the grievances and propose possible measures correctives.
Set for May 11, two days after the opening to the public of the 61st International Art Exhibition, this deadline could lead to the interruption or even revocation of funding if Russian participation is deemed incompatible with the European Union (EU) sanctions regime. The letter recalls that projects financed by European funds must respect EU sanctions and fundamental principles. She believes that the reopening of the Russian pavilion “raises serious questions” in this regard.
In its first public position, the Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia affirms that it will respond “in good time and in good order” to the letter of the EACEA, while considering that it has not infringed any rule of law or contractual commitment with the European Agency. The institution assures that it has acted in strict compliance with applicable national and international laws.
The European Commission sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 26 to obtain Rome’s official position on the reopening of the Russian pavilion, requesting a response within a week. This deadline having not been respected in mid-April, the Italian Chancellery initiated interministerial exchanges and coordinated its response with the Ministry of Culture, which transmitted to Brussels the documentation provided by the Biennale. The issue could be raised at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, scheduled for April 21.
The Russian pavilion closed in 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine, after its curator and artists withdrew in protest. In 2024, he was loaned to Bolivia, confirming the exclusion of Russia for two consecutive editions. In 2026, Moscow announces its return with an exhibition entitled “The Tree is Rooted in the Sky”, entrusted to curator Anastasia Karneeva.
