Main image: Protesters stand with a Ukrainian flag in front of the Russian pavilion on the grounds of the 2026 Venice Art Biennale. (is associated with: «EU halts Venice Biennale funding over Russia's participation») Felix Hörhager/dpa
The European Union has suspended funding for the Venice Biennale due to Russia’s participation in this year’s exhibition.
EU Commission spokesperson Tom Rienier announced the decision on Tuesday, according to dpa.
"Following the Commission's legal assessment and recommendation, EACEA has taken the decision to terminate the ongoing €2 million [$2.3 million] grant to the Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia," the spokesperson said.
Rienier emphasized that cultural projects funded by European taxpayers’ money must "uphold democratic values, promote open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression," adding that these are "values that are not respected in today’s Russia."
This year, Russia participated in the Venice Biennale for the first time since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
