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Venice Biennale Appeals EU €2 M Grant Withdrawal Over Russia

7/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Venice Biennale will challenge the European Commission’s July 21, 2026 decision to withdraw a €2 million grant because of Russia’s participation.
Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defended the Russian pavilion as a space of coexistence without censorship and said the €2 million grant funds cinema projects Biennale College and Venice Production Bridge unrelated to the pavilion.
Undersecretary for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni called the EU action an ideological attack and pledged support for the appeal.

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Story summary

The Venice Biennale will challenge the European Commission’s July 21, 2026 decision to withdraw a €2 million grant because of Russia’s participation.
Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco defended the Russian pavilion as a space of coexistence without censorship and said the €2 million grant funds cinema projects Biennale College and Venice Production Bridge unrelated to the pavilion.
Undersecretary for Culture Lucia Borgonzoni called the EU action an ideological attack and pledged support for the appeal.