EU cancels Venice Biennale grant over Russia's participation

The European Union said Tuesday that it had definitively cancelled a two million euro, or $2.3 million, grant to the Venice Biennale because of Russia's presence at 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 Venice Biennale opened in May with Russia taking part for the first time since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia had previously been banned from the event in protest at the war.

Kyiv and the EU protested against Russia's return. Ukraine's Culture Minister Tetiana Berezhna likened the decision to inviting a serial killer to dinner with friends.

The international jury for the event resigned in protest at the inclusion of Russia's pavilion. Organisers said the Biennale had been founded on openness, dialogue and rejection of closure or censorship.