Overview
- Protesters targeted the Russian and Israeli pavilions during preview days, with Pussy Riot and FEMEN setting off smoke flares and trying to rush the Russian building as police blocked entry on Wednesday.
- Russia’s pavilion is limited to four press-preview days with the rest of its six‑month program shifted to outdoor projections, a workaround tied to EU sanctions after Brussels moved to suspend a roughly €2 million grant.
- The five-member jury quit on April 30 after saying on April 22 it would not consider prizes for countries whose leaders face International Criminal Court warrants, so organizers postponed awards to November 22 and created two visitor-voted “Visitors’ Lions.”
- Iran withdrew its national participation on Monday, and the Art Not Genocide Alliance called a 24-hour strike for Friday to protest Israel’s inclusion as hundreds of participants press boycott demands.
- Biennale president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco argued the show is “not a court” as EU officials sought clarity on sanctions compliance and inspectors reviewed conditions, highlighting legal constraints that prevent excluding states recognized by Italy and the fact Russia has owned its pavilion since 1914.