Biennale Chief Slams EU for Withdrawing Funding Over Russia’s Presence at Art Exhibition During Film Festival Press Conference: ‘They Are Abandoning Us’

By Nick Vivarelli

Nick Vivarelli

International Correspondent

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Venice Biennale chairman Pietrangelo Buttafuoco slammed the European Union at the film festival press conference on Thursday for withdrawing a €2 million ($2.3 million) grant in response to Russia’s participation in the Biennale’s arts exhibition this year. It was the first time the country has returned to the event since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In an impassioned speech ahead of the announcement of the Venice Film Festival lineup, Buttafuoco said he would not bow to EU pressure since this would undermine “the autonomy and freedom of expression” of the arts foundation that operates across six artistic sectors: art, architecture, cinema, dance, music and theater.

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