Russia has announced its intention to return to the Venice Biennale in 2026, marking its first participation since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The proposed pavilion, titled "The Tree is Rooted in the Sky," plans to feature 38 participants from Russia and several Global South nations. The announcement has sparked intense backlash from the European Commission and culture ministers across 22 countries, who argue that Russia’s presence undermines democratic values and serves as a tool for "dark cultural diplomacy."
The controversy highlights a deep rift between European political leaders and the Biennale’s current leadership, including president Pietrangelo Buttafuoco. Critics argue that allowing Russia to occupy its permanent Giardini pavilion facilitates a "normalization" of the regime while it continues to commit what has been described as cultural genocide in Ukraine. By leveraging the prestige of the world’s oldest art biennial, Russia seeks to rehabilitate its international image even as it continues to destroy Ukrainian heritage sites and target cultural workers.