The Venice Biennale Risks Losing EU Subsidies Because of Russia
12 July 01:17
The European Commission has officially recommended that the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) withhold €2 million in funding from the Venice Biennale, according to "Komersant Ukrainian", citing DW.
“This decision was made after a thorough assessment of the Biennale organizers’ responses justifying the reopening of the Russian pavilion,” wrote Henna Virkunnen, the European Commission’s Executive Vice President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, on social media.
“Culture in Europe—funded by taxpayers’ money—must contribute to strengthening and protecting democratic values. In today’s Russia, these values are not respected,” Virkunnen noted.
EC: Russia’s Admission to the Biennale Is Support for the Kremlin
In 2026, Russia participated in the prestigious exhibition for the first time since the start of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which drew sharp criticism from Brussels and Kyiv. The Russian pavilion’s participation in the Venice Biennale was accompanied by protests, including by activists from Femen and Pussy Riot.
On April 21,the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, stated that the EU intends to cut funding for the Venice Biennale due to Russia’s return. In early May, the European Commission warned the Italian government and the Biennale organizers that Russia’s participation violated EU sanctions. The EC’s letter emphasized that the Russian pavilion at the event belongs to Vladimir Putin’s government—therefore, funding it is equivalent to indirectly providing economic support to the Kremlin.
Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco explained the decision not to exclude Russia from the event as a matter of “commitment to freedom of speech.”
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