Pussy Riot and FEMEN activists stage a protest in front of the Russian pavilion, at the 2026 Art Venice Biennale, Wednesday.Luca Bruno/The Associated Press
Russian punk group Pussy Riot joined members of Ukrainian feminist organization FEMEN on Wednesday in a protest at the Venice Biennale against the opening of the Russian pavilion.
Yelling “Russia’s art is blood” and “Disobey” under a cloud of pink, blue and yellow smoke, the anti-Putin feminist groups covered their faces with pink balaclavas before rushing the venue in the Giardini exhibition area.
Italian police blocked the entrance to the site as the protest effectively blockaded Russia’s return for about 30 minutes.
Pussy Riot founder Nadya Tolokonnikova said the only Russian art that should be shown is by dissidents who are jailed “for mostly ridiculous charges.”
Russian return to Venice Biennale sparks backlash ahead of opening
“Those people make art, and I want that art to represent Russia, because they represent the real face of Russia,’’ she said.
Russia’s participation in the first Biennale since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine has cost the contemporary art fair €2-million in European Union funding.
The jury that awards the prestigious Golden Lion prizes resigned last week in protest over the participation of Russia and Israel. It had said it would not award prizes to countries under investigation for human rights abuses by the International Criminal Court, effectively isolating Russia and Israel.
Russia’s participation in the first Biennale since the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine led to Russian punk group Pussy Riot and members of Ukrainian feminist organization FEMEN rushing the exhibition area.
The Associated Press
Russia’s pavilion – which features a series of musical performances in a downstairs space – is scheduled to be open only for the first week of previews before the official opening of the Biennale on May 9.
Tolokonnikova said efforts to make contact with the Biennale organizers have failed, and that in order to enter the Giardini venue she had to use an assumed name to get through security.
The Biennale has defended the inclusion of Russia, saying any country that has relations with Italy may be included. Nonetheless, the Rome government has opposed the decision, while acknowledging the Biennale’s independence.