Earlier this week, officials were sent by the Italian government to investigate the return of Russian artists to the Venice event. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated Thursday that she did not know if the jury’s resignation was related to the inspection, but reaffirmed her initial stance: “The government does not share the choice made on the Russian pavilion.”
The Biennale opens to the public on May 9, coinciding with Moscow’s Victory Day parade, which will be significantly reduced for the first time in 20 years. Both events, along with major sporting fixtures, demonstrate Russian President Vladimir Putin’s effort to reestablish Russia’s position on the global stage using culture and soft power as diplomatic tools.
“The aggressor’s culture is not neutral in the times of war and must never be utilized to serve the interests of the aggressor, to whitewash its crimes, and to spread its propaganda,” Sybiha expressed.
The EU has threatened to cut millions of funding for the next edition of the Venice Biennale, while both Russia and Israel have been excluded from awards at this year’s edition. The Italian government has repeatedly criticized Russia’s presence, with Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli opting to boycott the event along with several other EU countries.
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