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The European Union has suspended its €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale after Russia was allowed to participate in this year’s exhibition, the European Commission announced.
According to the Commission, the decision followed a legal assessment and a recommendation to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), which terminated the Biennale Foundation’s current grant, UATV English reports.
“Following a legal assessment and the Commission’s recommendation, EACEA has decided to terminate the current €2 million grant awarded to the Venice Biennale Foundation,” European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said, according to dpa.
Regnier stressed that cultural projects financed by European taxpayers must uphold democratic values, promote open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression.
“These are values that are not respected in today’s Russia,” he said.
Russia participated in the Venice Biennale this year for the first time since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, prompting criticism from European governments and the cultural community.
The decision follows the resignation of the Biennale’s international jury amid controversy over Russia’s return to the exhibition. In March, the culture and foreign ministers of 22 countries signed a joint protest against Russia’s participation in the 61st International Art Exhibition in Venice.
Earlier this month, the European Commission formally recommended ending EU funding for the Venice Biennale after the opening of the Russian pavilion at the event.
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