The jury of the 61st Venice Biennale resigned on April 30, reportedly in protest over organizers allowing Russia to take part in this year’s exhibition.
A week earlier, the jury said it would not consider works by artists from countries whose leaders are under investigation by the International Criminal Court. The countries were not specified. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Following the resignation, organizers said the awards ceremony, initially scheduled for May 9, will instead take place on November 22, the closing day of the exhibition.
Organizers had announced in March that Russia would be allowed to participate, a move later criticized by Ukraine and the European Union. The European Commission said Russia’s participation violates sanctions.
The Commission recently cut €2 million in funding for the biennale after the decision.
This year marks the first time Russia is participating in the exhibition since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
