Venice Biennale faces protests after including Russia

The 61st Venice Biennale is now underway, with the world's premier international art event having been in the spotlight not for its showings, but for its controversy and internal strife.

Protests will take place on Friday against Israel’s participation in the Venice Biennale, with a 24-hour cultural strike called by a coalition of Italian and international unions and activist groups. The strike follows protests on its first day of Russia and Israel’s involvement.

At the Venice Biennale, countries including Germany, France, Spain, Poland and the Nordic states signed a joint declaration defending Ukrainian culture against Russia’s destruction and looting of heritage. 1/2

Ukraine war briefing: Death toll from strikes across Ukraine rises to 27; Russia shunned at Venice Biennale #Ukraine

🇪🇺 The European Commission has warned #Italy that allowing the 🇷🇺 pavilion at the Venice Biennale to operate could breach EU sanctions. Any Russia-covered costs for its artists and delegates may count as indirect economic support banned under EU sanctions.

Resignations, boycotts and threats to cut funding, the Venice Biennale has opened to the press in turmoil over the return of Russia for the first time since the Ukraine war broke out.

Ukrainian cinematographer and defender Yuri Gruzinov visited russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale with a special book.

NewsInsideUkraine t.me/NewsInsideUk... Invisible Pavilion - on the opening days of the Venice Biennale, Ukrainians reminded the world about artists killed by Russia The project was initiated by the Association of Ukrainian Organizations in Italy (NAU).

x.com/pussyrrriot/... Not much on Blu Esky about the protests against Russia at the Venice Biennale. Why Russia is there is beyond words.

CforCD💙💛 Ahead of the opening of the Venice Biennale, a project entitled ‘The Invisible Pavilion’ was presented, focusing on Ukrainian artists killed by russia. The writers Viktoria Amelina and Volodymyr Vakulenko, the director Ihor Malakhov, and the poet Nika Kozhushko

Land in War. Installation in the Arsenale, Venice Biennale, Bonnie Devine 2026

Kate Taylor is at the #VeniceBiennale. Gift link here: www.theglobeandmail.com/gift/129d895...

Well done. When artogant Venice Biennale shall be reminded of #RussianWarCrimes in Ukraine and around the world because its organizers are blinded by bloody ruzz money and pathetic flattery.

Context by Alexander Baunov, former Russian diplomat: > Regarding the #Russia Pavilion, which today partially opened at the Venice Biennale during the press preview days and will show its lying face through a window on the days open to the public, the situation is very simple. > Today there […]

www.politico.eu/article/veni... @italy.bsky.social First Jeff Beszos takes over St. Mark's Square for his wedding and now Venice invites Russia to its Biennale. Brutto Venezia, brutto.