EU cancels subsidy to Venice Biennale over Russia presence

The European Union said Tuesday that it had definitively cancelled a two million euro ($2.3 million) grant to the Venice Biennale over Russia's presence at the world's biggest contemporary art show.

"Cultural events, funded by European taxpayers’ money, should safeguard democratic values, foster open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression -- values which are not respected in today’s Russia," said European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier, announcing the move.

The Biennale opened in May with Russia taking part for the first time since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It had previously been banned in protest at the war.

Kyiv and the EU protested against the change that Ukraine's Culture Minister Tetiana Berejna likened to "inviting a serial killer to a dinner with your friends".

The international jury for the event resigned in protest at the inclusion of Russia's pavilion.

At the time, organisers said the Biennale had been founded on the basis of "openness, dialogue, and the rejection of any form of closure or censorship".

On Tuesday the Biennale issued a statement saying that it had expected the grant to be cancelled, and would "assert our rights in all relevant forums."

The grant co-financed activities related to the Biennale College and the Venice Production Bridge, which "have nothing to do with Russia's participation in the Biennale Arte," it said.

It also said the cancellation "has no significant impact on the budget, the balance sheet, or the scheduled and ongoing activities" of the Biennale.