The 61st Venice Biennale is taking shape as national pavilions announce their participants and curatorial themes for the 2026 edition. Russia has confirmed its return to the Giardini with a multidisciplinary exhibition titled “The Tree is Rooted in the Sky,” following its 2022 withdrawal and the 2024 loan of its pavilion to Bolivia. The upcoming edition, themed “In Minor Keys,” will proceed under the vision of the late curator Koyo Kouoh, who passed away in 2025 after becoming the first African woman appointed to helm the prestigious event.
This edition is marked by significant geopolitical friction and institutional shifts, highlighting the Biennale's role as a lightning rod for international relations. While newcomers like El Salvador and Morocco prepare for their debuts, controversies surround the participation of Israel and Serbia, and South Africa has opted out following a censorship row. These developments underscore the ongoing tension between national representation and global political activism within the contemporary art world.