The European Union condemned the decision of the Biennale Foundation to allow Russia to participate in this year’s Venice exhibition, emphasizing that culture should not be used as a platform for propaganda.
This was stated in a joint declaration by the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Henna Virkkunen, and the European Commissioner for Justice, Youth, Culture, and Sport, Glen Micallef.
“We strongly condemn the decision by the Fondazione Biennale to allow Russia to re-open its national pavilion at the 61 International Art Exhibition of the 2026 Venice Biennale,” said Virkkunen and Micallef.
They reminded that the European Commission has clearly expressed its stance regarding Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine: culture must defend democratic values, promote open dialogue, diversity, and freedom of expression, “and must never be used as a platform for propaganda.”
The statement emphasizes that EU member states, institutions, and organizations must act in accordance with EU sanctions and avoid providing a platform to individuals who have actively supported or justified Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The Biennale Foundation’s decision is incompatible with the EU’s collective response to Russia’s brutal aggression, the statement notes.
“This decision by the Fondazione Biennale is not compatible with the EU's collective response to Russia's brutal aggression. Should the Fondazione Biennale go forward with its decision to allow Russia's participation, we will examine further action, including the suspension or termination of an ongoing EU grant to the Biennale Foundation.”
