Italy's culture minister, Alessandro Giuli, has expressed his dissatisfaction with Tamara Gregoretti, the government's representative on the Venice Biennale board, calling for her resignation. This demand arises amidst a heated political debate regarding Russia's planned return to the Biennale in 2026, where it intends to reopen its national pavilion for the first time since 2019.
Giuli criticized Gregoretti for not informing the ministry about the potential Russian participation, emphasizing the importance of transparency given the sensitive nature of the situation. The culture ministry stated that Gregoretti failed to recognize the significance of Russia's presence at the upcoming exhibition.
The controversy intensified following the announcement of the pavilion's presentation titled The Tree Is Rooted in the Sky, curated by Anastasia Karneeva, which will showcase over 30 artists. In response to these developments, La Biennale di Venezia defended its decision, asserting that it opposes any form of exclusion or censorship in the arts. The organization emphasized the necessity for the Biennale to remain a platform for dialogue and artistic expression, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Criticism has emerged from across Europe, with 22 culture ministers signing a letter urging Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco to reconsider Russia's involvement. They warned that allowing Russia a significant cultural platform could convey a misleading sense of normalcy while the conflict in Ukraine persists.
European Union officials have also voiced their concerns. In a joint statement, EU technology commissioner Henna Virkkunen and culture commissioner Glenn Micallef highlighted that the Biennale's decision could jeopardize approximately €2 million in EU funding, labeling the move as inconsistent with the EU's collective stance against Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The cultural sector has joined the call for action, with an online petition titled "Stop the Normalisation of War Crimes Through Art" amassing over 8,000 signatures, urging artists and cultural professionals to oppose the pavilion's return.
As the situation unfolds, Italian media reports indicate that Gregoretti has not shown any intention of resigning. Meanwhile, the culture ministry has requested urgent clarification from the Biennale regarding the management and installation of the Russian pavilion, particularly in light of existing sanctions.