EU Agency Suspends Grant to the Venice Biennale Over Russian Pavilion
The European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) has suspended the current €2 million grant to Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia following the reopening of the pavilion of the Russian Federation—an aggressor state—at the Venice Biennale. In the spring, the Russian pavilion resumed operations on a limited basis for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The EACEA’s decision was made following a legal assessment and a recommendation from the European Commission. This was announced by European Commission spokesperson Thomas Renié, according to “European Truth.”
“Cultural events funded by European taxpayers must uphold democratic values, promote open dialogue, diversity, and freedom of expression—values that are not respected in modern Russia,” Renié said.
In July, the European Commission recommended that the agency revoke the grant due to its approval of the Russian pavilion. The procedure was initiated following a statement by Biennale Foundation President Pietro Buttafuoco, who confirmed his intention to open the Russian pavilion at this year’s exhibition.
In the first stage, the European Commission gave the Biennale Foundation 30 days to either abandon this intention or provide arguments to halt the procedure. Subsequently, the EU also demanded additional official clarifications regarding the true nature of Russia’s participation in the event. More than 20 European countries have called for Russia to be barred from the Venice Biennale, and Ukraine has appealed to the organizers to reconsider their decision.
