Venice Biennale could lose €2m EU grant over planned Russia participation

The European Commission has warned it will cut funding for the Venice Biennale if organisers go ahead with plans to include Russia. It said any breach of ethical standards by the art festival would be treated as a violation of contract, leading to suspension of the €2m (£1.7m) agreement.

Commission spokesperson Thomas Régnier said he could not pre-empt a decision from EU lawyers on whether the contract had been broken, but stressed the decision to include Russia was not in line with European values and ethical standards. “The commission condemns the decision by the Fondazione Biennale to allow Russia to participate in the 2026 Biennale art exhibition,” he told reporters.

“Because culture in Europe should promote and safeguard democratic values. It should foster open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expressions. These values are currently in today’s Russia not honoured.” The €2m EU grant supports film projects at the contemporary arts show.

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