Russian Pavilion at Venice Biennale Built with Ukrainian Patron's Funds Amid Growing Controversy

The 61st Venice Biennale, one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions, opens on Saturday amid unprecedented controversy surrounding Russia's participation. The event faces mounting criticism as the European Commission threatens to cancel a two million euro grant and the biennale's jury has resigned in protest. The jury members announced one week before stepping down that they would not evaluate national exhibitions from countries whose leaders face suspicion of war crimes. Adding historical irony to the current tensions, the Russian pavilion at the Venice exhibition was constructed with funding that included money from Ukrainian patron Bohdan Chanenko, highlighting the complex cultural and financial ties that existed before the current conflict between the two nations.