La Biennale di Venezia più pazza di sempre: a una settimana dall’apertura si dimette la giuria (I Leoni li deciderà il pubblico!)
The entire international jury of the 61st Venice Biennale has resigned en masse just one week before the opening. The jury, chaired by Solange Oliveira Farkas and including Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi, had publicly announced they would not consider countries whose leaders are accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court—effectively excluding Russia and Israel from the Golden Lion competition. This decision came amid ongoing tensions between Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli and Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco over Russia's participation, as well as controversy surrounding Israel's presence. After a meeting with Buttafuoco, the jury resigned, leaving the Biennale without a key body to award its top prizes.
This crisis matters because it exposes a profound loss of control at one of the world's most influential cultural institutions. The Biennale is now unable to award the Golden Lions as usual, with the ceremony thrown into uncertainty. The resignations highlight a clash between ethical principles and institutional regulations, as the jury operated outside its mandate. The episode also reflects broader geopolitical tensions infiltrating the art world, with the Italian ministry openly intervening and the presidency asserting independence. The outcome could set a precedent for how major biennials navigate political pressures and maintain their integrity in an increasingly polarized global landscape.