**Venice Biennale Chief Defends Decision to Reopen Russian Pavilion Amid Controversy**
**Venice, Italy** – Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, President of the Venice Biennale, has publicly defended his decision to reopen the Russian pavilion at the prestigious art event, asserting that "art won" despite significant pressure from the European Union and the withdrawal of €2 million in funding by Brussels. The decision to allow Russia's participation, announced in early March, comes against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and escalating tensions between Moscow and European nations.
The Russian pavilion, one of the oldest at the Biennale, has been a part of the exhibition since 1914. This year, it showcased a project titled "The Tree Is Rooted in the Sky," featuring contributions from over 50 young musicians, poets, and philosophers from Russia and other countries. Russian cultural envoy Mikhail Shvydkoy praised the exhibition as a testament to the resilience of Russian culture against efforts by Western political figures to "cancel" it.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera, Buttafuoco defended the Biennale's actions, emphasizing that the organization operated within legal bounds despite facing opposition from the Italian government and the European Commission. When asked if he would make the same decision again, he affirmed, “Everything.” He further stated that the Biennale's formal decisions did not violate any laws or regulations.
Buttafuoco's remarks come in response to Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli's assertion in May that Russian President Vladimir Putin had "won" at the Biennale. The Biennale President countered this claim by stating, “Putin didn’t win, art did.” He highlighted that the event's 131-year legacy is rooted in its commitment to openness, even during times of conflict, drawing a parallel to the ancient Olympic truce.
The Biennale's decision to include Russia has drawn criticism from Brussels, which has raised ethical concerns and cited sanctions as reasons for opposing Russia's participation. Buttafuoco criticized the EU for its stance, arguing that under its own standards of democracy and freedom of expression, a significant majority of non-EU countries represented at the Biennale would not qualify. He accused Italian European Commissioner Raffaele Fitto of not adequately defending the cultural institution.
The reopening of the Russian pavilion has sparked a backlash from the European Commission, which withdrew €2 million in funding for the Biennale in July. The Commission claimed that Russia's involvement violated EU sanctions and that taxpayer-funded cultural events should uphold democratic values. However, the Biennale clarified that the funding in question was allocated for film projects unrelated to Russia's participation.
The funding dispute followed intense pressure from Ukraine and its European allies, leading to sanctions against individuals associated with the Russian pavilion. Additionally, activists organized protests in Venice against Russia's participation. Although the pavilion opened during the May preview, it remained closed to the public after the official start of the Biennale.
The Russian government has criticized the funding cut, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova labeling it a "relapse into anti-culture."
As the Venice Biennale continues, the debate surrounding the inclusion of the Russian pavilion highlights the complex intersection of art, politics, and international relations in a time of heightened global tensions. The event, renowned for its celebration of artistic expression, now finds itself at the center of a contentious dialogue about cultural representation amidst geopolitical conflicts.