EACEA Terminates €2 Million Venice Biennale Grant Over Russian Pavilion's Return
Updated
Updated · Ukrainska Pravda · Jul 21
EACEA Terminates €2 Million Venice Biennale Grant Over Russian Pavilion's Return
3 articles · Updated · Ukrainska Pravda · Jul 21
Summary
A €2 million EACEA grant to Fondazione La Biennale di Venezia was terminated after the Russian pavilion resumed operations in a limited format this spring.
The European Commission said a legal assessment supported the move and argued EU-funded cultural events must uphold democratic values, open dialogue, diversity and free expression.
The cancellation process began after Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco confirmed the pavilion would reopen, with Brussels giving the foundation 30 days to reverse course or justify the plan.
More than 20 European countries had urged Russia's exclusion, while Ukraine pressed organizers to keep the stance that kept Russia out from 2022 to 2024.