Pussy Riot and FEMEN protest at the Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. "Blood is the true language of Russia"

On May 6, 2026, during the preview days of the 61st Venice Biennale, Pussy Riot and FEMEN staged a joint protest outside the Russian Pavilion. Led by Nadya Tolokonnikova, the activists denounced Russia's participation in the Biennale as a form of political normalization while the war in Ukraine continues. The action included chants and slogans such as "Russia kills, Biennale exhibits. Blood is Russia's art," and targeted the Russian ambassador present inside the pavilion. The protest was unannounced and caught Biennale security off guard, drawing a crowd of journalists, visitors, and art professionals.

This protest matters because it directly challenges the Venice Biennale's role as a platform for cultural diplomacy, accusing it of legitimizing a regime engaged in war. The joint action by two prominent feminist activist groups marks a rare moment of unity and escalates the debate over whether Russia should be excluded from international art events. It also highlights the tension between artistic freedom and geopolitical responsibility, forcing the art world to confront the limits of neutrality in times of conflict.