Pussy Riot and FEMEN block Russian pavilion at Venice Biennale

Pussy Riot and FEMEN staged a joint protest outside the Russian pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The activists blocked the entrance to the pavilion, speaking out against Russia’s participation in one of Europe’s most prestigious art events against the backdrop of the ongoing war against Ukraine.

According to the protesters, the Russian state uses culture as a propaganda tool, concealing war crimes and destruction behind art exhibitions.

Representatives of FEMEN and Pussy Riot stated that “every work presented in the Russian pavilion stands on an invisible foundation — Ukrainian blood”.

During the performance, the activists held placards reading: “Russia kills — the Biennale exhibits”, “Blood — the art of Russia” and “Art for the façade — graves below”.

They also called on the Biennale organisers to show the “reality of war”: destroyed Ukrainian cities, mass graves and the consequences of Russian missile strikes on civilians.

According to UAService Hub, this action marked the first joint public initiative by Pussy Riot and FEMEN. Both movements are known for their protests against authoritarianism, dictatorships and Russian imperialist policies. The protest was accompanied by an attempt to break into the Russian pavilion and attracted significant attention from the police and Biennale visitors.