"The commission condemns the decision by the Fondazione Biennale to allow Russia to participate in the 2026 Biennale art exhibition. Because culture in Europe should promote and safeguard democratic values. It should foster open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expressions. These values are currently in today's Russia not honoured."
"In this context, granting Russia a prestigious international cultural platform sends a deeply troubling signal. Foreign and culture ministers from 22 countries have called on the organisers to rethink, citing the systematic destruction of Ukraine's cultural life and heritage including the killing of at least 342 artists, damage or destruction of 1,685 cultural heritage sites and 2,483 cultural facilities."
"If there is a breach of the contract the commission will terminate or suspend the contract. The 2m EU grant supports film projects at the contemporary arts show."
The European Commission has warned the Venice Biennale that including Russia in the 2026 art exhibition would breach their funding contract and result in suspension of the €2 million EU grant supporting film projects. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated that Russia's participation contradicts European values of democracy, open dialogue, diversity, and freedom of expression, which are not currently upheld in Russia. The decision to allow Russian participation has drawn international condemnation from foreign and culture ministers of 22 countries, including Ukraine, who cite Russia's destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage, including damage to 1,685 cultural sites and the killing of 342 artists. Ministers argue that providing Russia a prestigious international platform sends a troubling signal regarding accountability for war crimes.
#eu-funding-sanctions #russia-cultural-participation #ukraine-cultural-heritage #venice-biennale-2026 #european-democratic-values
Read at www.theguardian.com
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