Ukraine Protests Russia's Return to Prestigious Venice Biennale

Russia is set to participate in the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art for the first time since 2019. At the 61st edition of this internationally renowned exhibition, Russia will present its project titled "The Tree Takes Root in the Sky," which has already been included in the list of officially announced participants.

The Russian delegation at this significant cultural event is expected to comprise approximately 40 cultural figures, including musicians, artists, philosophers, and poets. A total of 99 countries will showcase their works and projects. According to Mikhail Shvydkoy, the Russian President's Special Representative for International Cultural Cooperation, one of the central ideas of the Russian project is the concept that "politics exists in temporary dimensions, while cultures communicate in eternity."

Russia's return to the Biennale has provoked a strong reaction from Ukraine. The country's Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture issued a joint statement, urgently calling on the organizers of the Venice Biennale to reconsider their decision. The statement highlighted that on February 27, 2022, the organizers themselves condemned aggression and advocated for peace and dialogue. Ukrainian agencies expressed their bewilderment at this change in stance, stating: "We do not understand why the organizers' position is changing now <…> Non-admission of Russia to international cultural platforms is critically important for preserving their neutrality and avoiding politicization."

Meanwhile, the Italian Ministry of Culture clarified that the Biennale organizers made the decision regarding Russia's participation independently, "despite the opposition of the Italian government."

It is worth noting that on March 1, 2022, the team of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale had previously announced the cancellation of its participation in the exhibition. At that time, curator Raimundas Malašauskas, along with artists Kirill Savchenkov and Alexandra Sukhareva, jointly decided to withdraw.