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Venice Biennale faces EU funding cuts over Russia

By AAP Newswire

Jul 12, 2026

Italy Venice Biennale Protest — Russia is back at the Venice Biennale for the first time since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. -AP

The Venice Biennale could face EU funding cuts due to the reopening of the Russian pavilion at the world-renowned art show for the first time since the start of the war on Ukraine.

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"The Commission officially recommends EACEA to terminate the two million euro grant to the Venice Biennale," European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen wrote on X, referring to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.

In May Pussy Riot and FEMEN activists rallied in front of the Russian pavilion, to protest Russia's presence after its absence following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

"Culture in Europe - funded with taxpayers money - should promote and safeguard democratic values," Virkkunen added in a reply to her post.

"These values are not respected in today's Russia."

Russia is participating in the Venice Biennale, which is held every two years, for the first time this year since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In 2022, the artists due to participate in the art show spontaneously withdrew in protest over the war.

In 2024, Moscow allowed Bolivia to use the pavilion.

According to earlier information from Brussels, the European Commission is currently providing the Biennale Foundation with a total of $US2.2 million ($A3.2 million) over a three-year period to support film producers and immersive technology.