On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale was bustling with activity. Several pallets piled high with cases of prosecco and boxes of Gordon's gin were delivered outside. Inside, Ensemble Toloka, a group of young performers, presented a show. The event occurred amid ongoing international anger over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Visitors expressed frustration that the pavilion's leadership appeared to ignore the war. One attendee told the BBC, 'They are pretending everything is fine, serving drinks and putting on a performance, while their country bombs civilians.' The Russian pavilion's curator did not respond to requests for comment.
The Biennale, which opened on April 23, 2026, features national pavilions from over 80 countries. The Ukrainian pavilion, by contrast, displayed works addressing the war's impact, including photographs of destroyed buildings and interviews with refugees.
This year's Biennale has been marked by protests and boycotts. Several artists withdrew from the Russian pavilion in solidarity with Ukraine. The Italian government has not imposed sanctions on the Russian pavilion's participation.
