Russia Criticizes EU Decision to Cut Funding from Venice Biennale
The cultural exhibition had announced earlier this year that Russia would return to the event, a move that reportedly prompted a warning from the European Commission about potential funding consequences. That warning was later carried out, with EU officials confirming the withdrawal of financial support and calling on Italian authorities to respond.
Russian presidential aide for international cultural cooperation Mikhail Shvydkoy denounced the decision, saying, “This move by Brussels is disgraceful and shows that claims by the European establishment about being open to dialogue with Russia are empty.” He also argued that “This is also blatant interference in Italian domestic politics, since cultural policy remains under national purview in the European Union.”
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also criticized the move, describing it as “a relapse into anti-culture, a condition that the West has been suffering from in recent years.” She added, “Unless they cure it, they’ll remain uncultured forever.”
Despite the criticism, some Russian officials and commentators questioned the practical impact of the funding cut. Shvydkoy noted that while the €2 million grant is meaningful, it is not critical for an event of the biennale’s scale.
Art critic Elizaveta Likhacheva shared a similar view, suggesting that EU authorities may be overestimating their influence. “They are making a mistake by trying to use financial pressure,” she said, adding that the funding likely represents only a small fraction of the event’s overall budget—enough “for pencils and sweets.”
According to reports, both Russian officials and commentators believe the decision highlights broader tensions between cultural institutions and political considerations within Europe.
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