Russia e Israele non potranno vincere nessun premio alla prossima Biennale Arte di Venezia 2026. La giuria prende posizione
The international jury for the 61st Venice Biennale, led by Solange Farkas, has unanimously declared it will not consider countries whose leaders are currently accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. This means Russia and Israel are excluded from competing for the Golden Lion awards, including Best National Participation and Best Artist. The jury's statement, published on e-Flux Notes, emphasizes the Biennale's historical role as a platform connecting art with contemporary urgencies and acknowledges the complex relationship between artistic practice and state representation.
This decision matters because it marks a rare, explicit political stance by a major international art institution, directly linking art prizes to human rights and international law. It intensifies ongoing debates about boycotts and ethical participation in the Biennale, especially regarding the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. The move also reflects growing pressure from artists and curators, some of whom have called for even broader exclusions, including the United States. The jury's action could set a precedent for how global art events address geopolitical conflicts and state accountability.