BRUSSELS, March 12 (Reuters) - The European Commission will terminate or suspend funding to Venice's Biennale art exhibition if organisers proceed with plans to allow Russia to reopen its pavilion at
EU Reaffirms Threat to End Venice Biennale Funding if Russia Returns in 2026
European Commission's Stance on Venice Biennale and Russian Participation
Commission's Warning on Funding Suspension
BRUSSELS, March 12 (Reuters) - The European Commission will terminate or suspend funding to Venice's Biennale art exhibition if organisers proceed with plans to allow Russia to reopen its pavilion at this year's edition, reaffirmed an EU Commission spokesperson on Thursday.
Official Statement from the European Commission
"We condemn the decision to allow Russia at Venice's Biennale," spokesperson Thomas Regnier said at a news conference.
Reasons Behind the EU's Condemnation
"The Commission condemns the decision by the Foundation Biennale to allow Russia to participate in the 2026 Biennale art exhibition. Why? Because culture in Europe should promote and safeguard democratic values. It should foster open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression. These values are currently, in today's Russia, not honoured," he added.
Background: Russia's Exclusion from European Cultural Events
Russia's pavilion at the art fair was closed after Moscow's full‑scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which triggered the exclusion of Russian artists and institutions from major European cultural events.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Sudip Kar-Gupta;Editing by Philip Blenkinsop)
