Trending Now - Activists Disrupt Russian Pavilion at Venice Biennale Exhibition

WHO:

Variety - Russian feminist protest music and performance art group Pussy Riot and members of Ukrainian feminist organization FEMEN.

ABC News - Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova.

WHAT:

The Guardian - The Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale was forced temporarily to shut its doors after the protest, with about 40 activists attempting to enter but being pushed back by police.

The Guardian - A statue outside the Russian pavilion was wrapped in a Ukrainian flag during the protest.

The Guardian - The Biennale has faced a diplomatic row, with the European Commission informing the Italian government that allowing the Russian delegation to participate would breach EU sanctions.

The Guardian - A representative of the British ambassador stated that no minister attended the official opening of the British pavilion due to Russian involvement.

The Guardian - The Art Not Genocide Alliance (Anga) staged a demonstration outside the Israeli pavilion, with over 200 participants signing a letter demanding the cancellation of the Israeli pavilion.

ABC News - Russia’s pavilion is scheduled to be open only for the first week of previews before the official opening of the Biennale on May 9.

The Guardian - The jury that selects the winner of the Golden Lion prizes resigned en masse after stating they would not consider entries from countries whose leaders were subject to international arrest warrants, effectively isolating Russia and Israel.

The Guardian - A representative from the Biennale confirmed that the jury resigned after being informed they could be held personally responsible if Israel pursued legal action regarding their decision.

Deadline - More than 50 members of Pussy Riot participated in the protest, marking the first-ever joint protest with FEMEN.

The Kyiv Independent - Pussy Riot members performed the song "Disobey," which condemns "f—king fascist bastards" and "killers of children and mothers."

The Kyiv Independent - The Russian pavilion is funded by the Kremlin, and its commissioner, Anastasia Karneeva, is linked to Russia’s military industrial complex.

Variety - Pussy Riot and FEMEN staged a protest attempting to block the opening of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale art exhibition.

ABC News - Protesters yelled slogans such as “Russia’s art is blood” and “Disobey” while covering their faces with pink balaclavas.

ABC News - The protest effectively blockaded Russia’s return for about 30 minutes.

ABC News - Russia’s participation in the Biennale has cost the contemporary art fair 2 million euros ($2.5 million) in European Union funding.

ABC News - The jury that awards the prestigious Golden Lion prizes resigned in protest over the participation of Russia and Israel.

WHERE:

ABC News - The protest took place at the Russian pavilion in the Giardini exhibition area of the Venice Biennale.

WHEN:

ABC News - The official opening of the Biennale is scheduled for May 9.

WHY:

The Guardian - Nadya Tolokonnikova expressed horror at the sight of people partying at the Russian pavilion, stating, "It’s weird to me that Europe keeps saying that Ukraine is a shield for the entire European continent but it opens its doors time and time again to Russian propaganda. It’s heartbreaking for me."

The Kyiv Independent - Nadya Tolokonnikova criticized the Venice Biennale's head, Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, for welcoming Russian guests while ignoring the plight of political prisoners in Russia and Ukraine, stating, "While Pietrangelo Buttafuoco greets his Russian guests with champagne, drones and ballistic missiles fall in Ukraine."

The Kyiv Independent - Inna Shevchenko from FEMEN stated that the Russian pavilion stands on "the invisible pedestal of Ukrainian blood," emphasizing that "the Russian terrorist state uses culture to disguise itself."

ABC News - Nadya Tolokonnikova stated that the only Russian art that should be shown is by dissidents who are jailed “for mostly ridiculous charges,” emphasizing that they represent the real face of Russia.

ABC News - The Biennale has defended the inclusion of Russia, stating that any country that has relations with Italy may be included, despite opposition from the Rome government.

HOW:

The Guardian - The protest involved lighting pink, blue, and yellow flares while playing punk music and shouting slogans, including “Blood is Russia’s Art.”

The Guardian - During the protest, some members had slogans written on their bodies, including “Curated by Putin, dead bodies included,” “Russia kills, biennale exhibits,” and “Russian art, Ukrainian blood.”

ABC News - The protest involved the use of pink, blue, and yellow smoke during the demonstration.

ABC News - Tolokonnikova had to use an assumed name to get through security to enter the Giardini venue.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 23:14 UTC)

The Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale was temporarily closed after about 40 activists attempted to enter but were pushed back by police, and a statue outside the pavilion was wrapped in a Ukrainian flag during the protest. The event has sparked a diplomatic row, with the European Commission warning that allowing the Russian delegation to participate would violate EU sanctions, while a representative of the British ambassador noted that no minister attended the British pavilion's official opening due to Russian involvement. Meanwhile, the Art Not Genocide Alliance staged a demonstration outside the Israeli pavilion, with over 200 participants demanding its cancellation, as Nadya Tolokonnikova expressed her dismay at the ongoing acceptance of Russian propaganda in Europe.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 19:24 UTC)

Russia's pavilion is set to open for just the first week of previews before the official Biennale opening on May 9, but the event has already sparked controversy. The jury responsible for selecting the Golden Lion prizes has resigned en masse, citing concerns over potential personal liability if Israel pursued legal action, which effectively isolates both Russia and Israel from the competition. Amidst this turmoil, Nadya Tolokonnikova condemned the celebration at the Russian pavilion, expressing her dismay that Europe continues to engage with Russian propaganda while claiming to support Ukraine.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 17:26 UTC)

In a historic joint protest, over 50 members of Pussy Riot teamed up with FEMEN, marking their first collaboration together. During the demonstration, they performed the song "Disobey," which sharply criticizes the Kremlin and its ties to the military industrial complex, while also using vibrant pink, blue, and yellow smoke to enhance their message. Nadya Tolokonnikova condemned the Venice Biennale's head for welcoming Russian guests, highlighting the stark contrast between cultural celebrations and the ongoing violence in Ukraine.

(UPDATED May 6, 2026 15:44 UTC)

Pussy Riot and members of the Ukrainian feminist organization FEMEN staged a protest at the Russian pavilion in the Giardini area of the Venice Biennale, attempting to block its opening on May 9. The protesters, led by Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova, shouted slogans like “Russia’s art is blood” and “Disobey,” while covering their faces with pink balaclavas, successfully blockading the pavilion for about 30 minutes. Tolokonnikova emphasized that only art from jailed dissidents should be showcased, as they represent the true face of Russia, while the Biennale has defended Russia's participation despite losing 2 million euros in EU funding and facing resignations from the jury awarding the Golden Lion prizes.