Decision follows backlash from Italian government and European Commission
The jury of the Venice Biennale has quit just days before the prestigious art exhibition is due to begin, amid a row over the decision to allow Russia to participate.
The resignation of the five-member international jury was announced late on Thursday in a brief statement by the Venice Biennale organisers, and came a day after the Italian culture ministry sent inspectors to Venice in search of information about the decision to allow Russia to have a pavilion at the event.
After the resignations, the biennale said it had “decided that the award ceremony of the 61st international art exhibition, previously scheduled for 9 May, will take place on Sunday, 22 November”.
It also said it would hand out two awards, one of which could go to any one of the “national participations included in the 61st Exhibition, as per the official list, following the principle of inclusion and equal treatment”.
