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EU Commission Recommends Halting 2 Million Euros in Funding for Venice Biennale Over Russian Pavilion

From ANSA · () Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The European Commission has recommended halting 2 million euros in funding for the Venice Biennale due to its decision to host the Russian pavilion.
  • The Commission cited that culture funded by taxpayers should promote democratic values, which are not upheld in contemporary Russia.
  • Despite warnings and requests for clarification, the Biennale proceeded with hosting the Russian pavilion, leading to the funding recommendation.

The European Commission has officially recommended halting 2 million euros in funding for the Venice Biennale. This decision stems from the Biennale's controversial choice to host the Russian pavilion, despite ongoing international sanctions and widespread condemnation.

In a statement on X, EU Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen declared, "The culture in Europe – funded by taxpayers’ money – should promote and safeguard democratic values. Such values are not respected in today’s Russia." This stance underscores the EU's position that cultural exchanges should align with European democratic principles, a standard the Commission believes Russia currently fails to meet.

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

— Henna VirkkunenVice-President of the EU Commission, commenting on the decision to halt funding.

The controversy surrounding the Russian pavilion escalated in the spring. Despite objections from Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli, the Biennale Foundation proceeded with hosting the pavilion. The Biennale maintained that its presence did not violate European sanctions, as the structure was formally never opened to the public.

However, the issue quickly moved from Italy to Brussels. The European Commission and the EACEA agency sent multiple letters to the Biennale seeking clarification. They warned the Foundation that proceeding with the pavilion risked the loss of funds. Nevertheless, the Biennale opened on May 9, coinciding with Europe Day, which further intensified the rigidity of EU leadership.

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

— Lega PartyResponding to the EU Commission's decision.

The decision has drawn a sharp response from Italy's Lega party, which criticized the move. "The Biennale is history, culture, art, innovation, and freedom. If some bureaucrat in Brussels cannot understand this, we will accept it," the party stated, vowing to ask the government to compensate for the lost funds. "Culture does not bow to Brussels' diktats," they added.

While the Commission's recommendation to EACEA is not yet a final decision, it is expected to be formalized. The Biennale's inclusion of Russia has been implicitly linked to broader EU conclusions regarding Russia's participation in international events, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The EU has also voiced similar concerns regarding Russia's potential participation in the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympics and has engaged with the International Olympic Committee over the participation of Russian athletes.

Culture does not bow to Brussels' diktats.

— Lega PartyStatement regarding the EU Commission's funding decision.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ANSA in Italian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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