Biennale Leader Criticizes EU for Cutting Funds Over Russia

WHO:

Variety - Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, chairman of the Venice Biennale

Deadline - Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, president of the Venice Biennale Foundation

WHAT:

Variety - The European Union withdrew a €2 million ($2.3 million) grant in response to Russia's participation in the Biennale's arts exhibition.

Deadline - Buttafuoco criticized the European Commission for its decision to pull funding over Russia's involvement in the Art Biennale.

WHERE:

Variety - Venice, Italy, where the Biennale and film festival are held.

WHEN:

Deadline - The press conference took place on Thursday, during the unveiling of the lineup for the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival.

WHY:

Variety - The funding was withdrawn due to Russia's participation in the Biennale, marking the first time the country returned to the event since the invasion of Ukraine.

HOW:

Variety - Buttafuoco expressed his views during a press conference, indicating that the EU's actions were perceived as abandoning the Biennale.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 14:46 UTC)

Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, chairman of the Venice Biennale, criticized the European Commission's decision to withdraw a €2 million grant in response to Russia's participation in the arts exhibition, marking the country's return since the invasion of Ukraine. This announcement came during a press conference on Thursday, where the lineup for the 83rd edition of the Venice Film Festival was unveiled. Buttafuoco expressed that the EU's actions were seen as abandoning the Biennale, which is held in Venice, Italy.