Protest Erupts at the 61st Venice Biennale
On May 9, Europe Day, activists staged a demonstration outside the Russian pavilion at the opening of the 61st Venice Biennale. They played the sound of an air raid siren and carried a procession featuring 15 artifacts salvaged from Ukrainian ruins. The event was organized by members of the Italian +Europa movement, led by Riccardo Maggi. Near one of Venice's bridges, participants unfurled Ukrainian and European flags, laying out items meant to symbolize the suffering of Ukraine.
Objects of Ukrainian Resistance
Among the 15 items displayed during the protest were:
- A fragment of a charred beam from a Lviv monastery;
- A bracelet belonging to a three-year-old girl;
- A flashlight used by a poet from Mariupol to write verses in a bomb shelter.
Riccardo Maggi emphasized that the action was intended to remind the world of the realities of Ukraine's resistance:
“We recreated the sound that Ukrainian citizens hear every day—the air raid siren warning of approaching Russian bombings. We did this to remind everyone that the future of peace and democracy in Europe depends on supporting Ukraine's resistance.” — Riccardo Maggi
The protest also drew support from the European Commission and over 20 EU culture ministers, including Italy’s Alessandro Giuli and Poland’s Marta Cienkowska. The entire international jury of the Biennale resigned in protest over Russia’s inclusion, yet the Russian pavilion opened as scheduled. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on organizers to reconsider Russia’s participation.
Russia had been barred from the Venice Biennale in 2022 and 2024, but in March 2026, it was officially reinstated. Ukraine imposed sanctions on Russian citizens involved in the Biennale, while the EU halted funding for the event. Philanthropist Victor Pinchuk condemned Russia’s return as unacceptable, highlighting the extensive destruction of Ukrainian museums and libraries since 2022.
Protesters voiced their outrage with chants such as 'Russian murderers—get out of the Biennale!' and 'The Biennale is for artists, not terrorists!' This underscores deep cultural and political divisions playing out on the international stage.
This action reflects growing tensions within Europe’s cultural sphere, where Russia’s participation in international events has sparked heated debate. It also demonstrates European solidarity with the Ukrainian people, aiming to keep the memory of war victims alive and to stand against aggression. As military conflict continues in Ukraine, such protests become even more vital in drawing global attention to the country’s plight.
In light of the ongoing tensions surrounding Russia's participation in international events, the recent protest at the Venice Biennale highlights Ukraine's efforts to challenge this inclusion. As activists call for greater awareness of Ukraine's plight, Ukraine seeks to prevent Russia's involvement in future Biennales, underscoring the broader implications for European unity and support for Ukrainian sovereignty.