Overview
- The five-member awards jury said Thursday it will not consider national pavilions from countries whose leaders face International Criminal Court charges, effectively sidelining Russia and Israel.
- The European Commission confirmed Thursday it intends to suspend a €2 million grant over Russia’s return and gave the Biennale 30 days to respond.
- La Biennale said it cannot bar any country recognized by Italy from participating and defended what it called an open-door approach to national pavilions.
- Chaired by Brazilian curator Solange Oliveira Farkas with Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, the jury will select the Golden Lions and a Silver Lion for the main exhibition.
- The 2026 edition proceeds after curator Koyo Kouoh’s death in 2025, with the board appointing the jury as artists and groups pressed for exclusions through open letters and protests.