image sourced from original article at Protests erupted at the start of press previews for the Venice Biennale as activists denounced the return of Russia to the exhibition for the first time since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian feminist collective Femen and Russian protest group Pussy Riot staged a topless demonstration outside the Russian pavilion, calling its presence an affront amid the ongoing war.
Russia’s inclusion has sparked resignations, boycott threats and warnings of funding cuts from European institutions and Italian officials. The exhibition jury stepped down rather than award prizes to countries led by figures facing arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court, a move affecting both Russia and Israel.
Although the Russian pavilion will not open fully to the public, recorded musical performances will be projected during the exhibition, which runs from May to November. Organizers defended the decision as a commitment to inclusion, even as pro-Palestinian demonstrators also gathered outside Israel’s pavilion, underscoring the deep geopolitical tensions surrounding this year’s event.
