Overview
- Press previews opened ahead of the May 9 public opening, and on Wednesday Pussy Riot and Femen briefly blocked the Russian pavilion’s entrance with smoke flares before police dispersed the protest.
- The European Commission sent a second warning letter threatening to suspend a €2 million subsidy if Russia takes part, saying EU funds must reflect democratic values and cultural diversity.
- The international jury resigned in protest over the inclusion of Russia and Israel, and the Biennale shifted the Golden Lions and other awards to a public vote with winners due on November 22 as voting rules are still being set.
- Russia returned with party‑style programming during the pre‑opening, and under pressure the pavilion will shut to in‑person visitors after these days with only a film viewable from outside for the rest of the six‑month run.
- The main exhibition follows the late Koyo Kouoh’s quiet In Minor Keys theme, a stark contrast to the political fights, while Argentina’s Matías Duville debuts Monitor Yin Yang, a salt and charcoal intervention that builds a new pavilion inside the national space.