The jury sent a letter to the Venice council stating they cannot give awards to artists from countries under ICC investigation, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes against children in Ukraine and for Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The jury is committed to the defense of human rights, in continuity with the vision of Koyo Kouoh, who was appointed to lead the 2026 edition before her death last year, according to the jury. The jury is responsible for choosing Golden and Silver Lion winners among 110 artists. The biennale opens on 9 May and runs until 22 November.
Biennale organisers have been under fire for allowing Russia to reopen its pavilion. The European Commission sent a letter to organisers saying it plans to terminate or suspend its €2m grant because of Russia's participation. The biennale has 30 days to respond. Italy's culture minister Alessandro Giuli said the decision to reintroduce Russia was made entirely independently by the Biennale Foundation, despite the Italian government's opposition. In February 2022, the biennale condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and banned access for anyone linked to the Kremlin. Russia was absent from the 2022 and 2024 editions.
entirely independently by the Biennale Foundation, despite the Italian government's opposition