Italy's Lega party slams EU over potential Venice Biennale funding cut

A political dispute has reignited over the Venice Biennale following the European Commission's announcement of potential funding cuts. The controversy stems from the Biennale's decision to reopen the Russian pavilion during its latest edition.

Italy's Undersecretary for Culture, Lucia Borgonzoni, a member of the Lega party, has strongly condemned the European Union's move. She described the potential suspension of 2 million euros in funding as "unacceptable" and a "political sentence" that harms the institution's "extraordinary work." Borgonzoni argued that a political body should not dictate to a technical agency like Eacea (the European Education and Culture Executive Agency) and asserted that Italy's art institutions are free and democratic, free from "economic blackmail" by Brussels.

This stance aligns with the Five Star Movement, which also criticized the EU's action as "shameful" and a "political intimidation." However, the Lega's position creates a divergence from other government allies who reportedly opposed opening the Russian pavilion. The Biennale itself stated it is prepared to "assert its rights in all competent bodies" but awaits a formal technical note before taking further action.

The regional president of Veneto, Luca Zaia, echoed Borgonzoni's sentiments, calling the decision "unacceptable" and emphasizing that "culture is not censored and artists are not soldiers." He urged the government to defend the Biennale and expressed full support for its president, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco.