The EC condemned the decision of the Venice Biennale to allow Russia to participate

The European Commission (EC) officially condemns the decision of the Venice Biennale Foundation to allow the Russian delegation to participate in the festival. The EC informed Izvestia about this on March 12.

"The Commission condemns the decision of the Venice Biennale Foundation to allow Russia to participate in the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art in 2026," the statement said.

The EC also added that European culture should promote and protect democratic values, support open dialogue, diversity and freedom of expression, while in Russia these values allegedly do not exist.

The opening of the event will take place on May 9 with the title theme "In a minor key". 99 countries will take part in the biennale. Among them, for the first time since 2019, is Russia. Russian figures will show the project "A tree has its roots in the sky." It will be presented by about 40 musicians, artists, philosophers and poets.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed on February 6 that Russian culture should be a part of the whole world, as no culture can develop in isolation. During the award ceremony for the laureates of the Slovo National Literary Award, he also noted the work of literary translators. In his opinion, they also make a great contribution to the development of modern Russian culture.

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