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, European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen said on Saturday.
“The Commission officially recommends EACEA to terminate the €2 million [$2.2 million] grant to the Venice Biennale,” Virkkunen wrote on X, referring to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.
“Culture in Europe – funded with taxpayers money – should promote and safeguard democratic values,” she 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 a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
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 €2 million over a three-year period to support film producers and immersive technology.