EU Revokes €2 Million Grant to Venice Biennale Over Russian Pavilion

The European Commission has withdrawn a €2 million grant allocated to the Venice Biennale Foundation for the 2025–2028 period. The decision follows the reopening of the Russian national pavilion, marking Russia's first participation in the biennial art show since its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The pavilion had previously remained closed during the 2022 and 2024 exhibitions due to EU sanctions.

European Commissioner Henna Virkkunen directed the recommendation to terminate the funds to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Virkkunen stated that culture in Europe funded by taxpayers must promote and safeguard democratic values, asserting that such values are not respected in Russia today. The funding process was initiated in April after Biennale Foundation President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco confirmed the pavilion's return, despite the venue operating with limited public event permits.

The move sparked protests in May by activists from Pussy Riot and FEMEN. In response to the funding cut, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the European Union of attempting to cancel Russian culture. Meanwhile, Italy's League party suggested that the government of Giorgia Meloni might need to compensate the Biennale using the national budget to offset the lost EU funds.