The Venice Biennale jury resigns amid tensions over awards ban, Russian participation

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. World The Venice Biennale jury resigns amid tensions over awards ban, Russian participation May 1, 2026 1:19 AM ET By The Associated Press FILE - A private security officer stands next to a closed Russia's pavilion at the 59th Biennale of Arts exhibition in Venice, Italy, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. Antonio Calanni/AP hide caption toggle caption Antonio Calanni/AP MILAN — The international jury of the Venice Biennale resigned Thursday, just nine days before the world's oldest and most important contemporary art fair opens, amid tensions over Russia's participation and the panel's decision to bar prizes for countries accused of crimes against humanity. The Biennale said in a statement that the jury, made up of the president, Solange Farkas, and Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma and Giovanna Zapperi, had resigned.

The brief statement didn't provide an explanation for the highly unusual move. It came just days after the jury had announced it would not award prizes to countries charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. That includes Israel and Russia, whose participation in the first Biennale since its 2022 Ukraine invasion has been opposed by the Italian government.

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Sponsor Message The Russia participation has been a particular sore point, with Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli saying he would not attend previews of the exhibition next week or the May 9 opening day. The Biennale's director, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, has refused to back down from allowing Russia to participate, even in the face of a visit by cultural ministry officials Wednesday to gather information about the reopening of the Russian Pavilion. The Culture Ministry said the officials' visit was aimed at collecting documents to respond to an EU request for information after it cut 2 million euros last week in funding to the Biennale over Russia's participation.

It added that the ministry had no role in the jury's resignation. Giuli, meanwhile, has demonstrated strong support for Israel. The minister had a phone call Wednesday with the Israeli Pavilion's artist, Belu-Simion Fainaru, to express solidarity in the face of "recent attacks.

" The minister also "confirmed the Italian government's commitment against every form of discrimination and antisemitism in Italian cultural institutions," his office said in a statement. Fainaru said in a statement that he opposes "discrimination, racism, and boycotts in all their forms. I believe in the fundamental principles of freedom of creation and freedom of expression, which must remain at the core of any artistic platform.

" Sponsor Message The jury was due to select winners of the highly prestigious Golden Lion for the best national pavilion and best participant in the main curated show on the official opening day, May 9.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.