politics
Protests Held at Venice Biennale Over Russia's Return
Protests occurred at the Venice Biennale after Russia returned to the event for the first time since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russian punk protest group Pussy Riot and Femen staged a demonstration outside the Russian pavilion. The Biennale president defended the inclusion of national pavilions regardless of country affiliations.
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Protests took place at the Venice Biennale over the inclusion of a Russian pavilion, the first time Russia has participated since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Russian punk protest group Pussy Riot and Femen, founded in Ukraine, staged a joint demonstration in the gardens of the arts event.
" outside the Russian national pavilion and set off smoke flares. Security guards closed the glass doors as the protest continued. "They're drinking vodka and champagne in their pavilion, soaked in the blood of Ukrainian children," Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokonnikova said.
The demonstration occurred during pre-opening events this week.
Russia's reinstatement had been expressed since the move was announced by Moscow earlier this year. The European Commission strongly condemned the decision and threatened to pull €2 million in funding for the Biennale. It argued that allowing Russia to participate went against ethical standards linked to the grant.
Italy's culture minister will not attend when the fair opens to the public on Saturday. The disquiet extended beyond Russia's return.
" Israel's foreign ministry had previously criticised what it called a "political jury" for turning the Biennale into a place of anti-Israeli political indoctrination. The event's president resisted requests for interviews amid the growing attention.
" He condemned calls for Russia and Israel to be banned as censorship and exclusion. "If the Biennale began to select not works but affiliations, not visions but passports, it would cease to be what it has always been: the place where the world meets," Buttafuoco said.
