Decision follows months of warnings over Russia's participation
The European Commission has recommended terminating a €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale, escalating a dispute over the art exhibition’s decision to allow Russia’s participation after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Venice Biennale, an international contemporary art exhibition held every two years in the northern Italian city, has been embroiled in controversy over Russia’s participation in its 2026 edition.
“The Commission officially recommends EACEA [European Education and Culture Executive Agency] to terminate the €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale,” Commission Vice President Henna Virkkunen said on social media on Saturday evening. The formal decision rests with the EACEA, the executive agency responsible for managing EU culture funding programmes.
Virkkunen said EU funds should promote and safeguard democratic values, which, she argued, are not respected in Russia today.
