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Venice Mayor Brugnaro: 'I Understand Minister Giuli, But I Defend the Biennale'
🇮🇹 Italy /Economy & Trade

Venice Mayor Brugnaro: 'I Understand Minister Giuli, But I Defend the Biennale'

From Corriere della Sera · (14m ago) Italian

Translated from Italian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro defends the city's decision to allow the Russian pavilion to participate in the Venice Biennale, despite criticism.
  • Brugnaro states that cultural dialogue is essential for peace and that the Biennale serves as a platform for such discussions, even with works that may be disagreeable.
  • He emphasizes that all necessary checks have been made to ensure the Russian pavilion does not contain propaganda, aligning with Venice's role as a city of dialogue.

Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro has firmly defended the city's decision to permit the Russian pavilion's participation in the upcoming Venice Biennale, pushing back against critics who have labeled the move insensitive. In an interview, Brugnaro stated his belief that cultural dialogue is paramount for fostering peace, asserting that the Biennale, by its very nature, must serve as an open forum for diverse expressions, even those that might be challenging or disagreeable.

I can understand Minister Giuli but I defend the Biennale.

— Luigi BrugnaroThe Mayor of Venice expressing his position on the controversy surrounding the Russian pavilion.

Brugnaro's stance aligns with his role as vice-president of the Biennale Foundation and underscores Venice's historical identity as a city built on dialogue and diplomacy. He acknowledged the Italian government's firm support for Ukraine and Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli's consistent position, which has led to his boycott of the Russian pavilion. However, Brugnaro distinguishes between governmental policy and the cultural mission of the Biennale, arguing that "what the Biennale does serves peace, and if we want peace, we must dialogue."

For peace, courage is needed, the Russian pavilion will be there. Giuli's position is consistent with what he has always maintained.

— Luigi BrugnaroExplaining his rationale for allowing the Russian pavilion and acknowledging the Minister's stance.

Addressing concerns about potential propaganda, Brugnaro assured that thorough checks have been conducted to ensure the Russian pavilion's content is free from such elements. He views the Biennale as a space for discussion and debate, a tradition that has always characterized the event. The international attention surrounding the Biennale, Brugnaro noted, is also providing a significant boost to both the exhibition and the city of Venice itself, countering claims of neglect.

One quarrel? I don't see it that way. I believe it is consistent with his position.

— Luigi BrugnaroResponding to the idea that his differing view from the Minister constitutes a dispute.
DistantNews Editorial

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

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