Latvia, 21 other European countries oppose Russia's participation in Venice Biennale
Deputy Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture of Ukraine Tetiana Berezhna held an online meeting with Latvian Minister of Culture Agnese Lāce, following which she reported that 22 European countries opposed Russia's participation in the Venice Biennale.
"22 European countries issued a joint statement: while the war against Ukraine continues, Russia's participation in the Venice Biennale is unacceptable. The joint statement was initiated by Latvian Minister of Culture Agnese Lace. I thank her for her leadership and constant support. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Latvia has remained one of our strongest allies in protecting culture and democratic values," she said on her Facebook page.
The colleagues also discussed further coordination with European partners regarding the inadmissibility of Russia's participation in the event.
"Russia continues its aggressive war against Ukraine and systematically destroys our cultural heritage, so its participation in such a prestigious international cultural platform as the Venice Biennale sends a dangerous signal and can be used to legitimize aggression. International cultural platforms must remain consistent in the principles they uphold," Berezhna said.
She invited Lāce to participate in the Cooperation for Resilience International Conference, which will be held in Lviv at the end of March.