My visit to the Russian show that plunged a dagger into the Venice Biennale’s heart

Waldemar Januszczak | Waldemar.tv | 25th May 2026

An eyewitness account of the turmoil at the Venice Biennale following the unexpected return of Russia. Its exhibit celebrates how “eternity prevails over momentary concerns”, a line many took as referring to the Ukraine conflict. Once the “sulky green” pavilion opened, it was besieged with protests, leading Biennale organisers to close it to the public. Behind the locked doors, the “horrendously loud dance music” played on.