Stories from Venice · Italy

The entire jury of a film festival has resigned following a controversy regarding the participation of Russia and Israel. The jury argued that the governments of Russia and Israel face accusations of war crimes, making an award ceremony for these nations impossible.

Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli is investigating the Russian pavilion following a jury conflict. Russia has not participated in the Biennale since 2022. Administrators of the Venice Biennale are questioning whether the foundation, led by Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, complied with European Regulation 833/2014 and EU sanctions. The inquiry follows a reported visit regarding the potential reopening of the Russian pavilion. Fabrizio Caccia reported on the defense line being taken by the foundation. The Italian Ministry of Culture has sent an inspection team to the Venice Biennale Foundation. The probe follows an administrative lawsuit involving materials found on a satirical website containing memes and jokes. Authorities are examining whether content related to race and language violates extremist activity and information laws.

The Venice Biennale has rescheduled its awards ceremony to November 22 following the resignation of the international jury. The decision follows a commission's suspension of 2 million euros in exhibition funding one week ago. The funding suspension was linked to the presence of a Russian pavilion at the event. Mikhail Shevetko, the presidential special representative for international cultural cooperation, commented on the situation. The jury of the Venice Biennale resigned following the cancellation of funding from the European Commission regarding the Russian pavilion. This resignation follows an investigation by the Italian Ministry of Culture into whether sanctions were violated concerning Russia's return to the art fair. Biennale President Petrangeli Butafooka stated he considered it better for the jury to step down.

The director of the Venice Biennale stated that the art biennale stands above geopolitics.

The jury for the Venice Biennale has withdrawn nine days before the event's start. The jury is reportedly reviewing the quality of candidates from countries whose leaders may face arrest by the International Criminal Court. No specific individual leaders were named in the document. Pro-Russian collaborators on the Venice Biennale jury have resigned following a scandal involving a Russian propaganda pavilion. The resignations follow controversy surrounding the jury's composition and its ties to Russian interests. The Biennale features pavilions for these countries on the exhibition grounds. The jury responsible for awarding the Golden Lions at the Venice Biennale will not be replaced. Instead, the winners will be chosen by the public, according to the report. The director stated that the art biennial remains above geopolitical conflicts.

Tensions have increased between Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttaforco and the Italian government. The friction stems from Buttaforco's decision to allow Russian artists to participate in the Biennale despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Salanja Oliver Farcas has resigned from his position as the Brazilian curator for the 61st Venice Biennale.

The Italian government has distanced itself from the decision by the Biennale to allow Russian artists to participate despite the war in Ukraine. The Italian Culture Minister announced the opening of the event while referring to the autonomy of the Biennale leadership.

The Vatican has announced the artists who will honor 12th-century composer and poet Hildegard von Bingen at the Venice Biennale. The project will feature two separate locations. Swiss curator Hans Ulrich Obrist is leading the Vatican project.

Gondoliers recovered approximately 900 kilograms of waste from the seabed in Venice. The debris includes amounts of plastic from tourism and dozens of tires used to protect boat hulls. Divers used specialized diving suits to remain underwater for 90 minutes during the operation.