EU cuts €2 million grant to Venice Biennale over Russia

The European Union has withdrawn a 2 million euro grant from the Venice Biennale, citing Russia’s controversial participation in the 2026 art exhibition as a violation of the bloc’s democratic values. The decision, formalized on July 21 by the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, follows months of warnings from the European Commission and opens a new legal and political front between Brussels and one of Italy’s most prominent cultural institutions.

The funding cut is directly linked to the return of the Russian pavilion to the Biennale for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The pavilion, which is owned by the Russian state, is presenting a project created by artists selected by Moscow authorities. A Commission spokesperson stated that cultural events supported with EU funds must promote democratic values, open dialogue, diversity, and freedom of expression, principles which the EU executive says are not respected in Russia today.

The La Biennale di Venezia Foundation has announced it will appeal the decision. In a statement, the foundation argued that the grant was intended for activities in its Cinema Sector, specifically the...