Venice Biennale Opens Under Shadow of Protests over Russia and Israel
The jury resigned over Russia and Israel disputes, and prizes will now be decided by public vote after 2,000 people protested.
- The 61st Venice Biennale opened without a formal ceremony on Saturday as global politics overshadowed the world's oldest contemporary art showcase, with Russia and Israel's participation sparking significant controversy.
- International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prompted the event's jury to resign last month, refusing to award prizes to sanctioned nations.
- Italian media reported that 20 national pavilions remained closed as staff protested Israeli participation, while approximately 2,000 people demonstrated against Israel's inclusion on Friday, citing Gaza conditions.
- More than 200 artists, including French-Moroccan artist Yto Barrada, signed a letter demanding Israel's exclusion, refusing to "platform the Israeli state as it commits genocide." European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called Russia's participation "morally wrong," noting the European Union is considering cutting €2 million in funding.
- The 2026 Biennale, themed "In Minor Keys," grapples with the deaths of artistic director Koyo Kouoh and German installation artist Henrike Naumann, who died at 41. Organizers maintain art should remain a space where the world comes together, despite calls to exclude nations based on government actions.
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Radio France Internationale
Modern GhanaVenice Biennale opens under shadow of protests over Russia and Israel
Global politics are casting a long shadow at the Venice Biennale, which opens for six months on Saturday. The world's oldest contemporary art event is off to a rocky start amid resignations, boycotts and protests over the inclusion of Russia and Israel.
As the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art officially opened on Saturday, the Lithuanian pavilion announced that it would not participate in the audience award - the "Visitors' Lion" process.
The announcement of the withdrawal was made on the day when the Golden Lions ceremony is usually held.
The Venice Biennale opens the exhibition without the Golden Lion awards, as the jury stopped performing its duties in protest against the participation of Israel and the Russian Federation. — Ukrinform.
Russia is returning to the Venice Biennale after a six-year absence, leading to fierce protests and the departure of the jury. But how far is it reasonable to go to exclude countries from participating in cultural exchanges – and what will be the consequences?
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