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

News Feed

Oscar-nominated ‘Mr. Nobody Against Putin’ exposes Russian passivity

"At the moment, I have no idea how much trouble I'm going to cause myself in the future," says Pavel Talankin at the very beginning of the documentary "Mr. Nobody Against Putin." Not every story about Russian propaganda demonstrates its power. Some merely highlight the self-dramatization of the Russian people and their real position — that in their own country, they are nobodies and will not even try to change that. So the audience is left with a distorted sense of agency, shaped by the denial

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine strikes Russian radar systems, S-400 launcher in occupied Crimea, General Staff says

Key developments on March 14-15 * Ukraine strikes Russian radar systems, S-400 launcher in occupied Crimea, General Staff says * Russian strike razes homes in Zaporizhzhia, killing 1, injuring 19 * Moscow attacked by over 60 drones in single day, mayor says * Ukraine claims 'successful' strike on 2 Russian ships ferrying weapons, equipment through Kerch Strait * Russia sentences 5 Ukrainian POWs to 15–18 years over 2024 Kursk incursion * Ukraine confirms drone strike on major southern Rus

About Culture

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.
News Feed