The European Commission and 22 countries have demanded that the Venice Biennale Arte exhibition 2026 (May 9-Nov. 22) cancel the participation of the Russian pavilion. Biennale Director Pietrangelo Buttafuoco came under fire even from the Italian culture minister, a party colleague. The EU Commission threatened to cut funds: “This decision by the Fondazione Biennale,” Executive Vice-President Virkkunen and Commissioner Micallef said in a statement, “is not compatible with the EU’s collective response to Russia’s brutal aggression. Should the Fondazione Biennale go forward with its decision to allow Russia’s participation, we will examine further action, including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation.”
Buttafuoco held his ground and replied that “shutdown and censorship stay out the door.”
The Venice Biennale is the second major institution in Italy that has recently come under EU fire by Russophobians. Earlier last month, the organizers of the Paralympics were also harassed, because they allowed Russian and Belarus athletes to participate with flag and national anthems.
