The Venice Biennale has decided to allow Russia to participate in its 2026 international art exhibition for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has been absent from the Biennale since 2022, leasing its pavilion to Bolivia in 2024. Russia has not been officially banned from the Biennale but has been absent in recent editions. In 2022, artists withdrew from the Russian pavilion in protest against the invasion of Ukraine. The Biennale banned access to the 2022 edition to anyone linked to the Russian government but did not ban participation from the entire country. Russia has owned a pavilion at the Biennale since 1914. The 2026 Biennale opens on May 9.
The Italian government, under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, opposed Russia's presence at the event. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli stated that the Italian government did not approve of Russia's participation. A cross-party group of MEPs published a letter condemning Russia's participation as 'unacceptable' and warning it risks legitimizing a regime responsible for violence. 26 MEPs from various factions sent an open letter to Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco demanding he reverse the decision. The MEPs argue that giving Russia a platform at a major cultural event sends a deeply concerning signal while Ukraine defends its territory and cultural identity.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrij Sybiha and Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna warned that the Biennale must not become a platform to whitewash Russia's war crimes. Ukraine urges the Biennale organizers to reconsider Russia's participation, arguing it must not become a platform for whitewashing. Lithuania's foreign minister described Russia's participation as 'abject'. The decision has been denounced as an attempt to rehabilitate Russia through art.
Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco said he invited people from all conflict areas to share their points of view and believes 'where there is art, there is dialogue'. Buttafuoco spoke of promoting a 'diplomacy of beauty' corresponding to Venice's history as a meeting place for peoples. Biennale organizers stated that the event is a place of dialogue, openness, and artistic freedom, encouraging links between peoples and cultures. The Biennale responded that it is an open institution that rejects all forms of exclusion or censorship of art. Massimo Cacciari, a Venetian philosopher and former mayor, supported Buttafuoco, saying the Biennale is an autonomous foundation that decides its cultural line.
The Russian project for 2026 is titled 'Tree rooted in the sky' and consists of sound performances by various artists. The Russian exhibition at the 2026 Biennale will feature art on the theme 'a music festival comes to life'. At least 38 young musicians, poets, and philosophers from different countries are participating in the Russian project. The first performance is scheduled for press days from May 5 to 8, 2026. The specific content and artists involved in the Russian project 'Tree rooted in the sky' beyond the general description are not yet known. Whether the Russian pavilion will be open for the entire duration of the 2026 Biennale event remains unclear.
Mikhail Shvydkoy, Russia's delegate for international art exchange, said Russia's participation is 'proof that Russia's culture is not isolated'. Participants in the 2026 Biennale include Iran, Russia, Israel, Ukraine, artists from Gaza, a Palestinian project 'Gaza - No Words', the Holy See, and several first-time participants like Qatar and Somalia. The feminist Russian dissident group Pussy Riot suggests planning a protest action at the Biennale. The exact nature and timing of planned protests, such as by Pussy Riot, against Russia's participation are not specified.