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The European Commission said it plans to suspend or terminate a €2 million ($2.3 million) grant to the Venice Biennale after the exhibition decided to allow the Russian pavilion to reopen.
The Venice Biennale, one of the world’s leading international art exhibitions, has faced criticism from Brussels over its decision to allow Russian artists to take part again through the national pavilion.
Speaking at a midday briefing in Brussels, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said an official letter had been sent to inform the Biennale of the bloc’s position.
Regnier said the commission’s intention was “to suspend or terminate an ongoing grant of €2 million,” linking the move to earlier statements by senior EU officials, including European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, and EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.
Regnier said the commission “strongly condemns” the Biennale’s decision to allow Russian artists to return to the exhibition.
He clarified that the measure concerns one ongoing EU grant worth €2 million, covering a three-year period, and that the funding is now expected to be either suspended or fully terminated.
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