Full Breakdown
Venice Biennale 2026: Strike, Pavilion Closures and the Debate Over Israel and Russia
5/8/2026, 10:45:41 PM
Core Event: 24-Hour Strike Over Israel’s Participation
On 8 May 2026 a 24-hour strike halted the Venice Biennale’s preview week. Artists, curators and workers shut or dimmed at least 18 national pavilions—including Austria, Belgium, Lebanon and Egypt—to protest inclusion of Israel and Russia in exhibition.
Background & Context
The 61st edition, “In Minor Keys,” opened under the late curator Koyo Kouoh. In April the prize jury resigned after announcing it would not consider entries from countries whose leaders face ICC arrest warrants, a stance aimed at Israel and Russia. Organizers replaced the Golden Lion awards with a public voting system. ANGA mobilised artists, curators and workers, securing signatures from 237 cultural professionals and over 200 participants in a strike pledge.
Timeline
- 6 May: Protest outside the Israeli pavilion, Palestinian flags displayed.
- 7 May: Pussy Riot and FEMEN activists demonstrate at the Russian pavilion.
- 8 May: ANGA-led strike; 18-20 pavilions close or dim lights.
- 9 May: Biennale opens to the public; visitor-voted “Visitors’ Lions” announced.
Data & Statistics
- 237 curators, artists and art workers signed the ANGA open letter.
- Over 200 participants (113 artists, 38 curators, 85 workers) pledged to strike.
- Approximately 20 national pavilions were fully or partially shuttered.
Official Statements & Responses
The Biennale press office said the strike “does not involve the institution’s staff or organisation” and reaffirmed its commitment to an orderly event respecting freedom of expression. ANGA declared the action “rejects both the normalisation of Israel’s presence in cultural spaces and the economies of genocide in culture.”
Criticism & Opposition
Dutch artist Dries Verhoeven called Israel’s participation “art-washing” and urged audiences “not to accept this,” likening the protest to a “horse of Troy” that forces internal dialogue. Austrian pavilion director Florentina Holzinger’s “Seaworld Venice” stayed open, drawing further attention to the dispute.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We think it’s very undesirable that Israel has been given the chance to artwash themselves with a pavilion in the Arsenale [one of the Biennale’s two main venues], and we want to make that clear,” — Dries Verhoeven, Dutch artist
- “We stand with Palestine because we know by now that the destruction of Palestine is the destruction of the world” — Lebanese pavilion poster
Impact & Next Steps
The strike shows the demand that cultural institutions address geopolitical conflicts. Replacing juried awards with public voting marks a historic shift in the Biennale’s governance, reshaping curatorial choices and funding. Protests will continue, and the “Visitors’ Lions” will be tallied on 22 November, with ongoing debate over Israel’s and Russia’s participation.
