Venice Biennale, controversy over Russia's return. Kiev: 'They use culture for political influence'

The controversy over the invitation - the first since 2022 - to the Russian Federation to take part in the Venice Biennale continues. Which now extends, reaching as far as Ukraine with the stances of ministers.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga and Culture Minister Tetyana Berezhna intervened, calling for Russia to be excluded from the prestigious art event. "We call on the organisers to reconsider their decision" and to "maintain the principled stance demonstrated in 2022" when the Biennale had instead banned the participation of anyone with ties to the Russian government in protest against Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia is scheduled to participate in the new edition from 9 May under the direction of Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, from whom Italy's Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli recently distanced himself on behalf of the government.

"Since 2022, the Russian-led war has resulted in the deaths of 346 Ukrainian and foreign artists and 132 media professionals," Kiev recalled, also pointing out that Russia has damaged or destroyed thousands of cultural sites. "Russia also openly uses culture as an instrument of political influence," the Ukrainian representatives continued.

Around 40 Russian artists are expected to participate in the exhibition to be hosted in the Russian Pavilion for the 61st edition of the Biennale. But it is not only the Russians who end up in the critics' crosshairs: in Italia, the small number of Italian artists invited to the international kermesse is also starting to come as a surprise.