Venice Art Biennale opens its most problematic edition over Russia's participation
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- The Venice Art Biennale opens its most controversial edition, marked by the decision to allow Russia's pavilion to reopen after being excluded since 2022.
- Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defended the decision, stating the event aims to showcase global issues rather than solve them, opposing censorship.
- The controversy led to the resignation of the international jury, which initially planned to exclude Russia and Israel from awards; the Biennale will now rely on visitor votes for prizes.
The prestigious Venice Art Biennale is set to open its doors, but this edition is already proving to be its most problematic. The storm of complaints, pressure, and even resignations stems from the decision to permit the reopening of Russia's pavilion, which had been excluded since 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.
El único veto aquí es a la exclusión preventiva. Me preocupa la censura previa y las declaraciones que derivan en un veredicto sin debate. La Bienal no es un tribunal sino un jardín de paz
Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco addressed the controversy during the official pre-opening, asserting that the event's purpose "is not to solve" the world's problems but "to show them." He emphasized his opposition to "preventive exclusion" and "censorship," stating, "The Biennale is not a tribunal but a garden of peace."
This stance has ignited fury from various quarters, including the Italian Minister of Culture and the European Union, which threatened to withdraw funding for contravening sanctions policy against Moscow. Despite these pressures, Buttafuoco has remained resolute.
La 61ª Exposición Internacional de Arte de Venecia estará abierta hasta el próximo 22 de noviembre para exhibir las propuestas artísticas de cien países de todo el mundo, siete de ellos por primera vez como El Salvador, que tendrá su propio pabellón.
The situation was further complicated by the international jury's initial decision to exclude Russia and Israel from award considerations due to the Gaza conflict. When the Biennale's direction refused this, the entire jury resigned days before the opening. In response, the Biennale will proceed without a jury or opening ceremony. Prizes will be awarded at the end, with visitors casting the votes.
El primer imprevisto surgió en mayo de 2025, cuando su directora artística, la camerunesa Koyo Kouoh, primera mujer africana en ocupar este importante cargo, murió repentinamente.
Russia's pavilion, a historic structure built in 1914, will be open only for the first four days, after which it will be accessible only via video. The Russian ambassador to Italy deemed the Biennale's leadership's capitulation to pressure "deplorable."
En su visión, Venecia debe acoger a todos los países para brindar una posibilidad de diálogo mediante el arte pero esto ha enfurecido a muchos, desde el ministro italiano de Cultura, Alessandro Giuli, hasta la Unión Europea (UE), que ha amenazado con retirar los fondos por contravenir la política de sanciones a Moscú.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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