Demonstrators from the activist groups Pussy Riot and Femen forced the temporary closure of the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale on the second day of the preview. Wearing pink balaclavas, about 40 protesters lit flares and shouted slogans including 'Blood is Russia’s Art' and 'Curated by Putin, dead bodies included'. Police lined the entrance to prevent them from entering.
Nadya Tolokonnikova, a founding member of Pussy Riot, led the protest and expressed dismay at the sight of people partying at the pavilion, where crates of prosecco were being unloaded and techno music played. She urged Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, the president of the biennale, to stop accepting Russian money. The group offered to curate the 2028 Russian pavilion using work by imprisoned artists.
The protest comes amid a diplomatic row over Russia’s participation. The European Commission reportedly told the Italian government that allowing the Russian delegation would breach EU sanctions. The UK also decided not to send government ministers to the event, with a spokesperson stating strong opposition to Russia’s involvement.
Separately, the Art Not Genocide Alliance staged a demonstration outside the Israeli pavilion, which was locked from the inside. More than 200 participants signed a letter demanding the cancellation of the Israeli pavilion over the war in Gaza. Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the group’s actions as 'anti-Israeli political indoctrination'.
