The European Commission confirmed that it has cut two million euros…
The European Commission confirmed that it has cut two million euros from the Venice Biennale due to Russia's participation, stating that the event will lose its grant after opening a Russian pavilion. This marks Russia's return to the biennale for the first time since 2022.
Consensus
- The European Commission revoked a €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale.
- Russia participated in the Venice Biennale for the first time since 2022.
- The Russian pavilion was open only during a limited press preview period in May.
- The decision followed the announcement by President Pietro Buttafuoco of the Venice Biennale that Russia would return to the event.
- The grant had been used for cultural projects, including those not related to Russia's participation.
- The European Commission stated that funded initiatives must promote democratic values, diversity, and freedom of expression.
Points of divergence
- Pietro Buttafuoco criticized the EU for political motives rather than legal or cultural ones, calling the EU a former partner that has now abandoned the Biennale due to politics. — kommersant
- The Russian pavilion was closed after its initial press preview and only displayed documentation of past performances on external screens during the main exhibition period. — tg_sotavisionmedia
- The Biennale has announced it will appeal the decision to revoke the grant. — fontanka
- The European Commission warned Italy and organizers in May that Russia's participation could violate EU sanctions, citing a ban on providing services to the Russian state. — vedomosti
Coverage (5 sources)
- President of the Venice Biennale Foundation Criticized EU Decision to Strip Grant Due to Russia — Коммерсантъ
- European Commission Confirms Venice Biennale to Lose Two Million Euros Due to Russia's Participation — SOTAvision
- Officially Now: Europe Cancels Funding for the Venice Biennale Due to Opening of Russia Pavilion — Фонтанка
- Venice Biennale finally stripped of EU grant — Ведомости
- EU wants to strip Venice Biennale of grant due to Russia pavilion — Ведомости
Key entities
- European Commission
- Russia
- EC
- EU
- Henna Virkkunen
- Venetian
- Tom Rennie
- European Union
- Reuters
- Europe
- European Commission
- France 24
- European Agency for Special Needs Education and Culture (EACEA)
- Pietro Buttazzo
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