Finland to limit joining Venice Biennale due to Russia´s participation

Finland will refrain from participating in the Venice Biennale at the political level if Russia takes part in the Art Exhibition, said the Ministry of Education and Culture in a press release on Thursday.

Participation will be maintained at the level of public officials.

“Finland's political leadership will not be participating in the Venice Biennale if Russia is included among the exhibitors. However, we believe promoting Finnish art and cultural expression, and supporting artists and actors is important. For this reason, Finland will have public officials participating in the Biennale,” said Minister of Science and Culture Mari-Leena Talvitie in the press release.

The ministry has been monitoring the situation during the spring and will continue to work with European partners to strengthen the common position.

The Russia Federation intends to open its own pavilion at the Venice Biennale for the first time since the start of the war of aggression in 2022.

The Venice Biennale board has justified its decision to allow Russia to participate based on reasons such as artistic freedom, promotion of dialogue, and rejection of censorship.

Altogether 22 European Ministers for Culture and for Foreign Affairs, including Finland, have signed a joint letter calling upon the leadership of the Biennale to reconsider the participation of the Russian Federation.

The European Commission has also announced the possibility of suspending or recovering EU funding to the Biennale.

The Venice Biennale is the oldest and one of the most prestigious art exhibitions for visual arts in the world.