Venice Biennale Jury Resigns Over Russia's 2026 Participation

The entire five-member international jury of the Venice Biennale resigned on Thursday, just days before the 61st International Art Exhibition is set to open on May 9, 2026. The resignations stem from a dispute over the organizers' decision to permit Russia to have a pavilion, marking its return since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Organizers announced the move in a brief statement, without providing further details on the jury's reasoning. The jury had previously stated it would exclude countries from awards if their leaders face International Criminal Court arrest warrants for war crimes, targeting Russia and Israel.

This policy was announced a week before the resignations. The exhibition features national pavilions from dozens of countries, attracting over 600,000 visitors during its seven-month run.

Italy's culture ministry sent inspectors to Venice on Wednesday to gather information about Russia's inclusion. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli described the decision as made entirely independently by the Biennale Foundation, despite government opposition, and declared a boycott of the event.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated that the government does not agree with the choice but noted the biennale's autonomy. The European Commission informed the Biennale Foundation this week of plans to terminate or suspend its 2 million euro grant due to Russia's participation.

The commission gave organizers 30 days to respond. Ukrainian officials urged reconsideration in March, arguing the event should not whitewash war crimes, while a group of cross-party MEPs condemned the inclusion as unacceptable. It will now hand out two awards, one open to any national participation on the official list, based on principles of inclusion and equal treatment.

Visitors will vote for the winners, aligning with the organization's founding spirit of openness and dialogue. Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco oversees the institution, which has faced weeks of criticism. The organization stressed it rejects any form of exclusion or censorship and cannot bar Russia, as the country owns its pavilion.

In 2022, the Russian pavilion stood empty after its curator and artists withdrew in protest against the invasion; in 2024, Russia lent the space to Bolivia. The Russian exhibit this year features a performance titled "The Tree is Rooted in the Sky," though some reports indicate public access might be restricted.

Artists from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Iran, Israel, and the United States are participating.

The Venice Biennale, founded in 1895, alternates between art and architecture exhibitions and is one of Italy's key cultural institutions. It banned Kremlin-linked individuals from the 2022 edition following Russia's invasion but never formally barred the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini publicly welcomed Russia's return, contrasting with the government's overall stance. The jury, led by Solange Farkas and including Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, was selected by curator Koyo Kouoh before her death last year.

Israeli sculptor Belu-Simion Fainaru stated that artists should be judged on their work, not their passports. The biennale's statement emphasized artistic freedom amid global tensions. Italy's far-right government has supported Ukraine, and the culture ministry is investigating potential sanctions violations.

Over the past four years, Russia's invasion has destroyed Ukrainian museums, looted art, and killed hundreds of artists. The EU views Russia's participation as morally wrong, given efforts to erase Ukrainian culture. The biennale argued for remaining a space free from political closure.

One source reported that the jury's resignation aligns with its earlier stance against awarding countries with indicted leaders. Multiple sources confirmed the Italian government's dispatch of inspectors and the EU's funding threat. No contradictions emerged on the timeline of events.

The only government figure supporting Russia's inclusion was Matteo Salvini, a long-time admirer of Vladimir Putin. Organizers maintain that inclusion fosters dialogue, consistent with the event's history.