European Commission Suggests Stopping Funds for Venice Biennale After Russian Pavilion Returns

俄羅斯館恢復開放，歐盟委員會建議停止資助威尼斯雙年展

Jul 12, 2026, 15:44
EuropeCulture

Introduction

The European Commission has proposed ending a €2 million grant to the Venice Biennale because the organization decided to allow the Russian pavilion to reopen.

歐盟委員會建議停止向威尼斯雙年展提供 200 萬歐元的資助，因為該組織決定允許俄羅斯館重新開放。

Main Body

Henna Virkkunen, the EU Commission's Executive Vice-President for Democracy, sent the proposal to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). This action happened after the Commission reviewed the Biennale's reasons for allowing Russia to return for the first time since 2022. The Commission emphasized that cultural projects funded by taxpayers must support democratic values, which they claim the current Russian government does not follow.

歐盟委員會負責民主事務的執行副主席 Henna Virkkunen 將建議書提交給歐洲教育及文化執行署 (EACEA)。此行動是在委員會審查雙年展允許俄羅斯自 2022 年以來首次回歸的理由後採取的。委員會強調，由納稅人資助的文化項目必須支持民主價值，而他們聲稱目前的俄羅斯政府並不遵循這些價值。

The situation is complicated because Russia owns the pavilion, meaning it cannot be removed unless the Italian government seizes the property. Consequently, this decision caused significant diplomatic tension. Ukraine and 21 EU member states urged the Biennale to change its mind, arguing that giving Russia a major platform contradicts current sanctions. Furthermore, the Biennale's five-member international jury resigned in April due to this instability.

情況較為複雜，因為俄羅斯擁有該展館，這意味著除非義大利政府沒收該財產，否則無法將其移除。因此，這一決定引起了顯著的外交緊張局勢。烏克蘭和 21 個歐盟成員國敦促雙年展改變主意，認為給予俄羅斯一個重大平台與目前的制裁相矛盾。此外，雙年展的五人國際評審團於四月因這種不穩定而辭職。

Responses from different leaders have been very different. Biennale President Pietrangelo Buttafuoco asserted that the event is a place for dialogue, not a court, and described the criticism as censorship. Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called the EU's financial pressure an embarrassment to Italian culture. On the other hand, Russian officials viewed the EU's actions as an attempt to isolate Russian culture and interfere in Italian affairs.

不同領導人的反應截然不同。雙年展主席 Pietrangelo Buttafuoco 主張該活動是對話之所，而非法庭，並將批評描述為審查。與此同時，義大利副總理 Matteo Salvini 稱歐盟的財務壓力是對義大利文化的尷尬。另一方面，俄羅斯官員將歐盟的行動視為企圖孤立俄羅斯文化並干涉義大利事務。

Conclusion

The Venice Biennale now faces the possible loss of important EU funding because it refused to exclude the Russian pavilion.

由於威尼斯雙年展拒絕排除俄羅斯館，現在面臨可能失去重要歐盟資助的情況。

Vocabulary Learning

🚀 The "B2 Logic Leap": Mastering Logical Connectors

At the A2 level, you usually connect ideas with and, but, or because. To reach B2, you must stop using these as your only tools. You need "Logical Connectors" to show the relationship between complex ideas.

Look at how the article builds a bridge from a simple fact to a complex result:

1. The Result Chain: Consequently\text{Consequently}

  • A2 style: Russia owns the building, so there is tension.
  • B2 style: "Russia owns the pavilion... Consequently, this decision caused significant diplomatic tension."
  • Coach's Tip: Use Consequently when you want to sound professional and show that 'B' happened specifically because of 'A'.

2. The "Adding Weight" Technique: Furthermore\text{Furthermore}

  • A2 style: Other countries are angry and the jury left.
  • B2 style: "Ukraine... urged the Biennale to change its mind... Furthermore, the Biennale's five-member international jury resigned."
  • Coach's Tip: Furthermore isn't just 'and'. It is used to add a stronger or more important point to your argument to persuade the reader.

3. The Contrast Pivot: On the other hand\text{On the other hand}

  • A2 style: Salvini is angry, but Russia thinks the EU is interfering.
  • B2 style: "Matteo Salvini called the EU's financial pressure an embarrassment... On the other hand, Russian officials viewed the EU's actions as an attempt to isolate Russian culture."
  • Coach's Tip: Use this phrase when you are comparing two completely different perspectives. It signals to the listener: "Now I am switching to the opposite side of the story."

Quick Comparison Table for your Brain:

Instead of... (A2)Use this for B2 Fluency →\rightarrowWhy?
SoConsequentlySounds more analytical
And / AlsoFurthermoreBuilds a stronger case
ButOn the other handOrganizes contrasting views

Vocabulary Learning

proposal (n.)
A formal plan or suggestion put forward for consideration.
Example:The committee is currently reviewing the proposal for the new city park.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.
Example:The teacher emphasized the importance of arriving on time for the exam.
seizes (v.)
To take hold of something suddenly and forcibly, often by legal authority.
Example:The customs officers seizes the illegal goods at the border.
consequently (adv.)
As a result of something that has happened.
Example:He failed to study for the test; consequently, he received a low grade.
contradicts (v.)
To say the opposite of something, or to be in conflict with a statement or action.
Example:The witness's testimony contradicts the evidence found at the scene.
asserted (v.)
To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer asserted that her client was innocent of all charges.
censorship (n.)
The suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, news, or films that are considered obscene or politically unacceptable.
Example:The government was criticized for its strict censorship of the internet.
interfere (v.)
To involve oneself in a situation without invitation, often hindering the process.
Example:I wish my parents would stop trying to interfere in my professional life.
exclude (v.)
To prevent someone or something from being part of a group or activity.
Example:The club rules exclude anyone who does not have a valid membership card.
Practice B2 words in a crossword→