Brussels to cut Venice Biennale funding over Russia's inclusion

The European Union is moving to withdraw funding from the Venice Biennale after organisers decided to readmit Russia despite its ongoing war against Ukraine.

Activists and supporters of the Russian rock band Pussy Riot protest against the opening of the Russian pavilion at the 2026 Venice Biennale, May 7, 2026.

Photo: EPA/ANDREA MEROLA

The European Commission, the EU’s main executive body, has recommended terminating a EUR 2 million grant for the prestigious international arts exhibition.

“The Commission is ending its funding to the Venice Biennale [as] culture and support must not become vehicles of whitewashing and aggression," the EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said at a press briefing on Monday.

The Venice Biennale, one of the world’s most famous art exhibitions, stirred controversy in March when it announced that Russian artists would be among those taking part in the event, which began in May and runs until late November.

Dozens of activists from the anti-Kremlin art collective Pussy Riot held a demonstration in Venice, waving Ukrainian flags and chanting slogans against Russian President Putin to oppose Moscow's presence at the Venice Biennale art exhibition https://t.co/Vup8O2Pkp6 pic.twitter.com/vs0GjlxRcw

— Reuters (@Reuters) May 7, 2026

Michał Owczarek has the story.

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