Venice Biennale, EU ministers: ‘Granting Russia a pavilion is a worrying sign’

Milan, 10 March (LaPresse) – Due to its aggression against Ukraine and in response to ‘its devastating human and cultural consequences, the Russian Federation remains subject to European and international sanctions, including in the cultural sphere, imposed for its violation of international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty. In this context, granting Russia a prestigious international cultural platform sends a deeply disturbing signal.” This is what we read in a letter addressed to the Biennale and signed by the Ministers of Culture of 20 EU Member States, Norway and Ukraine, regarding the decision to grant Russia a pavilion at the Biennale. “We, the undersigned, therefore express our deep concern about the significant risk of the Russian Federation exploiting its participation in the Venice Biennale to project an image of legitimacy and international acceptance in stark contrast to the reality of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and the destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage, and to European and international sanctions,” the letter continues.