EU plans to cut Funding for Russia's Participation in the Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale faces the potential loss of EU funding due to the planned reopening of the Russian pavilion. Ukraine also appeals to Italy not to issue visas to Russian participants in the Biennale.
"While Russia bombs museums, destroys churches and seeks to erase Ukrainian culture, it should not be allowed to exhibit its own. Russia's return to the Venice Biennale is morally wrong, and also the EU intends to cut its funding." said EU foreign minister Kaja Kallas after a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg.
Russia had previously announced, in coordination with the Biennale Foundation, that it would participate again this year and will exhibit works by domestic artists. Ukraine, as well as numerous politicians from EU member states, are protesting against this.
Russia's participation in the exhibition, which opens on May 9, would be its first since the start of its war against Ukraine.
According to previous statements from Brussels, the EU Commission is currently providing the Biennale Foundation two million euros over a three-year period. This funding will support film producers and immersive technology.