Key facts
- The European Commission has withdrawn a €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale Foundation.
- The funding cut is linked to Russia's participation in the 2026 Venice Biennale Art exhibition.
- The EU cited Russia's violation of democratic values and freedom of expression as justification.
- The Venice Biennale Foundation plans to appeal the decision.
- The Foundation argues the grant was for film sector activities unrelated to the Art Biennale.
- Italian government officials have criticized the EU's decision.
The European Commission has confirmed the withdrawal of a €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale Foundation, citing Russia's participation in the 2026 Art Biennale as a violation of democratic values. The decision, formalized by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (Eacea), has led to an appeal from the Foundation and criticism from Italian government officials.
The controversy stems from Russia's return to the Venice Biennale for the first time since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Russian pavilion, featuring a project by artists selected by Moscow, has been visible from outside via a large screen. Protests from Ukraine and cultural professionals accused Russia of using the presence for propaganda and 'hybrid war,' with allegations also raised about the pavilion's curator's ties to the Russian arms industry.
The Venice Biennale Foundation announced it will appeal the decision, stressing that the grant was for activities in the Cinema Sector, specifically Biennale College and the Venice Production Bridge, and had no significant impact on the budget or planned activities. Italian Deputy Culture Minister Lucia Borgonzoni and Veneto region President Luca Zaia have voiced support for the Biennale, criticizing the EU's move as politically and ideologically motivated.
This dispute highlights the tension between foreign policy objectives, cultural autonomy, and EU funding, with the case now set to move to the legal arena.