Stories from Venice · Italy

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The jury for the Venice Biennale has withdrawn nine days before the event's start.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.

The union stated that its representatives did not offend or slander the conductor, Venice, or any other person or institution. The union maintains its position has been consistent.

Fratelli d'Italia party members are defending orchestra director Beatrice Venezi after she was removed from the La Fenice theater in Venice. Galeazzo Bignami, the party's group leader, stated in the Chamber of Deputies that Venezi was penalized because she is not the daughter of musicians and is not left-wing. Bignami denied being arrogant during the discussion. Party representatives suggested she was penalized for not being from a musical family and for her political orientation. Galeazzo Bignami, the group leader for Giorgia Meloni's party, stated they would verify claims with Interpol and may conduct an investigation with Milanese magistrates if requests are found to be unfounded. The director claimed Venezi was targeted by hate campaigns and suggested the dismissal was linked to political stances. The director told Corriere della Sera that Venezi was used and then discarded.

Critics have raised concerns regarding the potential 'Uberization' of transport services within the Venice Lagoon. The commentary suggests that current activities could lead to unregulated or 'wild' passenger transport operations in the area. The source noted that the possibility of such unregulated transport is a reality.