The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, announced on the 21st of April that the bloc plans to withdraw funding for the Venice Biennale because the organizers of the event have decided to allow representatives of the aggressor state Russia to return, writes Politico.
After a meeting with the foreign ministers of the EU member states, Kallas said that at a time when Russia is bombing museums, destroying churches and trying to destroy Ukrainian culture, it should not be allowed to show its own. “Russia’s return to the Venice Biennale is morally wrong, and the EU intends to cut its funding,” Kallas stressed.
The high representative spoke about the biennale at a press conference that was mainly devoted to issues related to Ukraine. The event discussed further military and financial support for Kyiv, new sanctions against the aggressor and efforts to counter Russian disinformation campaigns.
One of the world’s most highly regarded art fairs, the Venice Biennale, is planning to host Russian artists for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drawing widespread criticism from organizers across Europe. Latvian Culture Minister Agnese Lāce has announced that she will boycott the biennale’s opening event on the 9th of May if Russian representatives participate.
Lāce has unified 25 European countries in a joint letter calling for Russia to be excluded from the exhibition.
In a joint statement, Latvia’s Culture Ministry stressed that allowing Russia to participate would give legitimacy to a sanctioned aggressor state, while also using a cultural platform that is important to Europe and financially supported by the EU. The ministry also warned that individuals associated with the Russian pavilion have ties to Russian state structures and pro-Kremlin narratives.
In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Kallas, 37 MEPs have called on the EU to suspend funding for the biennale and consider restrictions on individuals linked to the Russian pavilion.
Meanwhile, the Venice Biennale organisers have justified their decision by saying the exhibition is a place for dialogue where art remains separate from politics. However, for many EU politicians, Russia’s return has raised questions about whether cultural neutrality works at a time when the bloody war in Ukraine continues.
Read also: Venice Biennale allows Russians to participate; EU threatens to withdraw funding