The return of Russia to the prestigious Venice Biennale has triggered protests and political controversy, with activist groups Pussy Riot and FEMEN staging demonstrations outside the Russian pavilion. Protesters accused Russia of using art and culture as part of its broader political influence campaign during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Demonstrators carried signs condemning the exhibition and argued that allowing Russia to participate ignored the human cost of the conflict.

The backlash has grown across Europe, with the European Commission reportedly threatening to withdraw funding from the Biennale over Russia’s inclusion. Italy’s Culture Minister is boycotting the event, while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini defended Russia’s participation, saying no country should be excluded from the exhibition. Controversy has also spread beyond Russia, with separate protests targeting Israel’s pavilion and the resignation of the Biennale’s international jury after disputes linked to references to alleged war crimes.

At the centre of the debate is the role of art during wartime and whether global cultural events should remain politically neutral. Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova showcased a suspended concrete origami deer evacuated from the war-hit city of Pokrovsk, symbolising destruction and displacement caused by the conflict. Meanwhile, Russia’s pavilion defended its participation as a legitimate cultural presence, despite mounting criticism from activists, artists, and European officials.

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