Italy: Venice Biennale opens amid political tensions and protests.

SHOTLIST: VENICE, ITALY (MAY 9, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS HOLDING BANNERS AND FLAGS, CHANTING SLOGANS, MARCHING 2. VARIOUS OF RUSSIAN PAVILION AT VENICE BIENNALE 3. ISRAELI PAVILION VENICE, ITALY - MAY 9: The 61st International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale opened in Venice, Italy, on Saturday, May 9, amid political controversy and protests over the participation of Russia and Israel. Bringing together artists and national pavilions from around the world in Venice’s Arsenale district, the exhibition opened under the shadow of ongoing debates over cultural and political representation. The event also drew attention after the Russian pavilion was allowed to reopen for the first time since 2022 following the Russia-Ukraine war, while the Israeli pavilion remained under tight security amid demonstrations nearby. Several national pavilions, including those of the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and Austria, temporarily closed in protest. Protesters gathered on Via Garibaldi near the Giardini area, with organizers estimating more than 1,000 participants, while police placed the figure at around 500. The opening ceremony was held without the traditional Golden Lion award presentation following the resignation of the international jury. Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007, leaving the territory’s 2.4 million people on the verge of starvation. The Israeli army launched a brutal two-year offensive on Gaza in October 2023, killing more than 72,000 people, injuring over 172,000 others, and causing widespread devastation across the besieged enclave.