Venice Biennale Jury Resigns on Eve of Opening Amidst Controversy
Just 10 days before the opening of the 61st Venice International Art Biennale, the international jury announced their collective resignation. This is believed to be related to ongoing controversies surrounding the participation of war-involved nations, with the Russian pavilion returning and Israeli artists also exhibiting this year.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 08:52
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Huang Ya-shih, Rome, 30th) With only 10 days left until the opening of the Venice International Art Biennale, the Biennale's international jury announced their collective resignation today. Italian media believe this may be related to the ongoing controversy over the participation of war-involved nations, as the Russian pavilion will return to the Biennale this year, and Israeli artists will also participate.
The 61st Venice International Art Biennale is set to open on May 9. The official website announced tonight that it received collective resignation letters from the international jury today, including jury president Solange Farkas, and all members Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi.
Italian news agency AGI reported that the jury made the surprising decision to collectively resign after Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, Chairman of the Venice Biennale Board of Directors, agreed to provide an exhibition space for Russia and allow Israeli artists to participate, a move that has caused weeks of controversy.
AGI reported that this is the first time Russian artists have returned to the Venice Biennale since the war in Ukraine, drawing high attention from the European Union and the Italian government. The EU threatened to cut funding, and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli also ordered inspectors yesterday to investigate the situation.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the timing of the jury's resignation is subtle, as the Italian Ministry of Culture is sending inspectors to Venice to investigate the Russian pavilion's participation, suggesting that Biennale Chairman Buttafuoco's decision may not have been approved by Culture Minister Giuli.
ANSA news agency reported that in light of the collective resignation of the international jury, this year's Biennale decided to establish two "Lion Awards" (Leoni dei Visitatori) to be voted on by the audience, and the awards ceremony will be postponed from the opening day of May 9 to the closing day of November 22.
The two "Audience Lion Awards" will be presented to the "Best Exhibiting Artist" and "Best National Pavilion." All officially participating countries (including Russia and Israel) are eligible for the awards, with the specific list subject to official announcement.
According to the Venice Biennale administration, all visitors with tickets during the Biennale period can vote. The ticketing system will verify visitors' attendance records, and each ticketed visitor can cast one vote for each of these two awards.
This year's Venice Biennale theme is "In Minor Keys," conceived by the late chief curator Koyo Kouoh. (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150501
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(Central News Agency reporter Huang Ya-shih, Rome, 30th) With only 10 days left until the opening of the Venice International Art Biennale, the Biennale's international jury announced their collective resignation today. Italian media believe this may be related to the ongoing controversy over the participation of war-involved nations, as the Russian pavilion will return to the Biennale this year, and Israeli artists will also participate.
The 61st Venice International Art Biennale is set to open on May 9. The official website announced tonight that it received collective resignation letters from the international jury today, including jury president Solange Farkas, and all members Zoe Butt, Elvira Dyangani Ose, Marta Kuzma, and Giovanna Zapperi.
Italian news agency AGI reported that the jury made the surprising decision to collectively resign after Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, Chairman of the Venice Biennale Board of Directors, agreed to provide an exhibition space for Russia and allow Israeli artists to participate, a move that has caused weeks of controversy.
AGI reported that this is the first time Russian artists have returned to the Venice Biennale since the war in Ukraine, drawing high attention from the European Union and the Italian government. The EU threatened to cut funding, and Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli also ordered inspectors yesterday to investigate the situation.
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that the timing of the jury's resignation is subtle, as the Italian Ministry of Culture is sending inspectors to Venice to investigate the Russian pavilion's participation, suggesting that Biennale Chairman Buttafuoco's decision may not have been approved by Culture Minister Giuli.
ANSA news agency reported that in light of the collective resignation of the international jury, this year's Biennale decided to establish two "Lion Awards" (Leoni dei Visitatori) to be voted on by the audience, and the awards ceremony will be postponed from the opening day of May 9 to the closing day of November 22.
The two "Audience Lion Awards" will be presented to the "Best Exhibiting Artist" and "Best National Pavilion." All officially participating countries (including Russia and Israel) are eligible for the awards, with the specific list subject to official announcement.
According to the Venice Biennale administration, all visitors with tickets during the Biennale period can vote. The ticketing system will verify visitors' attendance records, and each ticketed visitor can cast one vote for each of these two awards.
This year's Venice Biennale theme is "In Minor Keys," conceived by the late chief curator Koyo Kouoh. (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150501
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.