Biennale Arte 2026, MiC inspectors at the Foundation for checks on the Russian pavilion

MiC officials should acquire new documents relating to the reopening of the Russian pavilion, which has been at the center of national and international controversy for weeks. Already in recent weeks the Biennale had sent a copy of the correspondence it had with the Moscow authorities to MIC, without any irregularities having emerged in compliance with the sanctions regime in force against Russia following the attack on Ukraine.

According to what we learn, the new controls would be linked to the controversy following the exclusion of Russia and Israel from the prizes that the international jury will award on May 9, and to the need to complete the acquisition of the documents previously received by the MiC.

Over the past few days, the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, announced that he will desert the opening ceremony of the Biennale Arte, precisely as a sign of protest against the Russian presence. A decision that has further accentuated the tension around one of the most important artistic events in the world.

Already in March the Ministry of Culture had asked the Biennale for all the documentation on Russian participation, including correspondence, to verify its compatibility with the sanctions. From those papers, the operational contacts for the reopening of the Russian pavilion were reconstructed, which the Foundation defined as normal procedural discussions. The ministry has already acquired internal communications between president Buttafuoco, general director Andrea Del Mercato and the commissioner of the Russian pavilion Anastasia Karneeva, which would show that Russia’s return had been planned as early as summer 2025. Among the passages, an email from last November in which Karneeva reported difficulties in issuing visas for the curator Petr Musoev and asked for assistance in obtaining an official letter of invitation. Russia confirmed its participation already at the beginning of the year, presenting the exhibition project entitled ‘The tree is rooted in the sky’. The materials for the catalog would be completed by February.

One of the most delicate aspects that emerged concerns the attempt to reconcile Russian participation with compliance with European sanctions. The communications would refer to a shared strategy to avoid regulatory violations, while allowing the presence of the pavilion within the event.

According to reports, the Russian pavilion will in fact be accessible only during the pre-opening days of the Biennale Arte (6-8 May), while from the following day it will remain closed to the public. The performances will however be documented and made visible through video content projected outside the building. A compromise solution which, however, did not calm the controversy.

At a European level, the matter fits into a context already strongly marked by the conflict in Ukraine and the related sanctions against Moscow. In recent days, the European Union announced the possible withdrawal of approximately 2 million euros in funding intended for the Venice Biennale for projects related to the world of cinema, in protest at Russian participation. At the same time, the international jury of the Biennale Arte adopted an unprecedented position, excluding from the race for the Golden Lion and the Silver Lion the countries whose leaders are accused by the International Criminal Court of crimes against humanity, therefore Russia and Israel. Faced with the accusations, the Foundation has always defended its actions, reiterating that it acted “in full compliance with the rules and regulations in force”. The Biennale stressed that every decision regarding the national pavilions was taken after “careful legal and institutional assessments”, with no intention of circumventing international sanctions.

Foundation: “No ‘circumvented’ ban on sanctions against Russia”

Regarding the participation of the Russian Federation in the upcoming 61st International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale affirms “absolute compliance with the rules, having acted in strict compliance with the national and international laws in force and within the limits of its competences and responsibilities”. The Venetian institution, consulted by Adnkronos, refers to what has already been declared in recent days, precisely on 26 April, specifying that “no ban on European sanctions has been ‘circumvented’, as stated by journalistic reconstructions. The sanctions have been rigorously applied”.

As regards the participation of the Russian Federation, Ca’ Giustinian announced, “at every step, at every moment during the preparation of the 61st Art Exhibition 2026, the Venice Biennale has responsibly committed itself to the observance and application of the existing sanctions and informing the government authorities in advance. “The necessary discussions have taken place with the Russian Federation, first of all by the President, as for every other country, on all the procedures in be, also in terms of visas, as is the case for the hundreds of participants coming from non-European countries”.

“As happens for all countries recognized by the Italian Republic as owners of a Pavilion in the Gardens, which communicate their participation in Art and Architecture Exhibitions, the feasibility of the projects and compliance with current regulations have also been rigorously assessed for the Russian Federation”, reads the note released on 26 April.