March for Ukraine at the Venice Biennale

(ArtNews) – The three Baltic pavilions at the Venice Biennale – Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia – organized a solidarity march with Ukraine on the first day of the opening to the media. A statement from the Lithuanian Pavilion explains that the act was dedicated to cultural workers from Ukraine, “who continue to create and represent their country in conditions of war, as well as to those who have lost their lives due to the ongoing violence.” Ukraine has its own pavilion at the Biennale, and this year’s exhibition, “Security Guarantees,” features the work of Zhanna Kadyrova.

The march started from the Lithuanian Pavilion at Fucina del Futuro, continued towards the Latvian Pavilion at Arsenale and ended at the Estonian Pavilion at the Patronato Salesiano Leone XIII, a church converted into a community center. The total distance was about 2.5 kilometers.

The move is one of many political statements that have already dogged the highly controversial 2026 Biennale, which does not open to the public on May 9.

On Wednesday morning, Pussy Riot and FEMEN protested near the Russian pavilion, while on Tuesday dozens of artists gathered at the entrance to the Giardini against Israel’s involvement in a collective action titled “Solidarity Drone Chorus.” The next day, the Art Not Genocide Alliance organized a rally to launch a 24-hour strike, also in protest of the Israeli pavilion.

In the anti-Russia protest, the group attempted to enter the pavilion but were stopped by police, who had cordoned off the entrance. Some of them had slogans written on their bodies, such as “Cured by Putin, including dead bodies,” “Russia kills, Biennale exhibits,” and “Russian art, Ukrainian blood.” A statue outside the pavilion was draped in the Ukrainian flag.

Nadya Tolokonnikova, one of the founders of Pussy Riot, said she was shocked by the sight of people partying in the Russian Pavilion on the first day, with crates of champagne being brought in while techno music was playing at high volume.

"I find it strange that Europe keeps saying that Ukraine is a shield for the entire European continent, but it constantly opens the doors to Russian propaganda. This breaks my heart," she said.

The activist called on Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, the president of the Biennale, to “stop taking Russian money” and talk to the group. In a press release, Pussy Riot offered to curate the Russian Pavilion in 2028, promising to use works by artists who are or have been imprisoned in Russian correctional institutions.

A diplomatic row over Russia's involvement has escalated. The Financial Times reported that the European Commission had told the Italian government and the Biennale's organizers that allowing Russia to participate would violate EU sanctions.

Just days before the art world was due to arrive in Venice for the exhibition's preview week, the entire jury resigned, likely over the previous decision to exclude countries accused of crimes against humanity, which would have included both Israel and Russia.

Solvita Krese, director of the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art in Riga and commissioner of the Latvian Pavilion, made it clear what is at stake: “In today’s geopolitical reality, we are reminded that freedom is never something to be taken for granted – it must be defended. The decision of the Venice Biennale to allow Russia’s participation raises urgent questions about the responsibility of cultural institutions,” she said.

There has been great tension leading up to the Biennale, with politics often overshadowing the art on display.

At the official opening of the British Pavilion, a representative of the ambassador said that no ministers had attended the event because of Russia’s involvement. It is usually a minister who opens the Pavilion, although the UK’s participation is managed by the British Council rather than the Government. Protest and politics are not new to the Biennale. In 1968 there were protests that spread from the wider student movement of that summer, mainly directed against the US over the Vietnam War. Six years later, the entire event was dedicated to the people of Chile, who at the time were under the rule of the military dictator, Augusto Pinochet.