Culture

A Venetian Gothic facade adorned with banners for the 2026 Venice Biennale, in Venice, Italy, on Feb. 25, 2026.
Culture

What's on at the Venice Biennale? Russian soft power

by Kate Tsurkan

In the fifth year of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, the Russian pavilion is set to return to the Venice Art Biennale with a “musical festival come to life” that serves as “a space for dialogue and exchange.” The pavilion was effectively canceled in 2022 after the artists and curator chosen to represent Russia withdrew in protest of the invasion. At the time, the organizers of the Biennale released a statement praising the decision and condemning “all those who use violence to prevent

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Ukraine war latest: US source says allies will be equipped as Pentagon reportedly weighs shifting Ukraine aid to Middle East

Key developments on March 26: * US source says allies will be equipped as Pentagon reportedly weighs shifting Ukraine aid to Middle East * Russian shadow fleet tanker carrying 140,000 tons of oil hit by drone in Black Sea * 'Putin's messages inspire us in this war' — Iranian president hails Russian 'support' amid US-Israeli strikes on Iran * Ukrainian forces regain Ukrainian forces regain ground in Oleksandrivka sector of front line, kill over 2,600 Russian troops in 2 months‌‌ US source

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Our reporting on literature, films, art, and traditions from Ukraine and the latest news on culture in Eastern Europe.

Ukrainian culture
Ukrainian culture has survived centuries of Russian attempts to appropriate Ukrainian art, silence Ukrainian artists, and erase the Ukrainian language. Modern Ukrainian writers, filmmakers, and musicians — some of whom are serving on the front lines — continue to develop Ukrainian culture and fight for Ukraine’s future.
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