EU cancels Venice Biennale grant over Russia presence

The European Union said it had definitively cancelled a two million euro, or $2.3 million, grant to the Venice Biennale because Russia is taking part in the contemporary art event.

European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said cultural events funded by European taxpayers should protect democratic values and support open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression. He said those values are not respected in today's Russia.

The Biennale opened in May with Russia participating for the first time since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia had previously been banned in protest at the war. Kyiv and the EU objected to the change. Ukraine's Culture Minister Tetiana Berejna compared Russia's inclusion to inviting a serial killer to dinner with friends.

The event's international jury resigned in protest over Russia's pavilion. At the time, organisers said the Biennale was founded on openness, dialogue and rejection of closure or censorship.

The Biennale said Tuesday that it had expected the grant to be cancelled and would assert its rights in all relevant forums. It said the grant co-financed work linked to the Biennale College and the Venice Production Bridge, which it said had nothing to do with Russia's participation in Biennale Arte.

The Biennale also said the cancellation would not have a significant impact on its budget, balance sheet, or scheduled and ongoing activities.