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: Saudi Arabia prepping 'huge deal' for Ukrainian weapons amid Iranian drone threat

Key developments on March 10: * Saudi Arabia prepping 'huge deal' for Ukrainian weapons amid Iranian drone threat * Ukraine strikes missile control systems plant in Russia's Bryansk Oblast, Zelensky says * Ukraine retakes most Russian-held areas in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast after weeks of counterattacks * Ukraine to get 35 Patriot interceptors in coming weeks, German media reports A Saudi Arabian arms company has signed a deal to buy Ukrainian-made interceptor missiles, the Kyiv Independent ha

US officials ask 'What does Putin have on Trump?' over downplayed Russian intel to Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration have downplayed reports that Russia has been providing intelligence to Iran used to target American forces, drawing frustration from U.S. officials who spoke with the Kyiv Independent. The reaction comes amid reports that Moscow has shared with Tehran information on the location of U.S. military facilities — including ships and aircraft — since the escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran began on Feb. 28. The controversy also co

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.
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