EU Commission recommends blocking 2 million euros in funding for Venice Biennale over Russian pavilion

The European Commission has officially recommended that the Eacea (European Education and Culture Executive Agency) halt 2 million euros in funding for the Venice Biennale. This decision follows the Biennale's controversial choice to host the Russian pavilion, a move that has drawn criticism from Brussels.

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Culture in Europe – funded by taxpayers' money – should promote and safeguard democratic values. Such values are not respected in today's Russia.

Henna Virkkunen, Vice-President of the European Commission, announced the recommendation on social media, emphasizing that "Culture in Europe – funded by taxpayers' money – should promote and safeguard democratic values. Such values are not respected in today's Russia." The controversy erupted in the spring when, despite objections from Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, the Biennale Foundation proceeded with hosting the Russian pavilion. The Biennale maintained that its presence did not violate European sanctions, and the structure was never formally opened to the public.

Despite these assurances, the European Commission and Eacea had sent multiple letters to the Biennale seeking clarification. The Foundation was warned that proceeding would risk losing funds. The Biennale opened on May 9th, coinciding with Europe Day, which reportedly intensified the rigidity of EU leadership. The Commission also expressed irritation over remarks made by Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini during his visit to Venice on the same day.

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The Biennale is history, culture, art, innovation and freedom. If some bureaucrat in Brussels cannot understand that, we will accept it.

The Lega party, Salvini's political party, responded to the Commission's decision, stating, "The Biennale is history, culture, art, innovation, and freedom. If some bureaucrat in Brussels cannot understand that, we will accept it." The party announced its intention to ask the government to compensate for the lost funds, asserting that "Culture does not bow to Brussels' dictates." While the Commission's recommendation to Eacea is not binding, it is unlikely to be overturned. The issue of Russia's participation in international cultural and sporting events, including the Biennale and the Milan-Cortina Paralympics, has been a recurring point of contention, with the EU Council concluding in June that Russia should not be normalized in such events until a just and lasting peace is achieved in Ukraine.

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Culture does not bow to Brussels' dictates.