Latvia has announced its readiness to boycott the opening of the Venice Biennale in 2026 if the organizers do not reconsider the decision regarding the participation of Russia. This is reported by Politico.
Latvian Minister of Culture Agnese Lace emphasized that she will not participate in the opening ceremony on May 9 if Russian representatives are allowed. Riga emphasizes: the participation of an aggressor state in a large-scale cultural event, which is partially financed by the EU, is unacceptable and actually legitimizes Moscow’s policy.
According to the Latvian Ministry of Culture, potential participants from Russia may be associated with state structures and broadcast the Kremlin’s official position on the war against Ukraine. As of now, more than 20 European countries have already spoken out against the participation of the Russian Federation in the Biennale.
At the same time, the organizers of the Venice Biennale insist on preserving the event as a “platform for dialogue”, where art is separated from politics. However, this position is increasingly criticized against the backdrop of a full-scale war.
The EU’s top diplomat, Kai Kallas, has said that the EU may reconsider funding the event if Russia’s participation is confirmed. According to her, the return of Russia to international cultural events seems morally unacceptable while the shelling of Ukrainian cities and the destruction of cultural heritage continue.
The discussion around Russia’s participation in the biennale goes beyond cultural policy and becomes part of a broader issue of international responsibility and isolation of the aggressor state.
