Venice Biennale postpones awards ceremony after jury resignations

The La Biennale di Venezia has postponed the awards ceremony for the 61st International Art Exhibition, citing a combination of recent jury resignations and what it described as an “exceptional” international geopolitical context.

Originally scheduled for May 9, the ceremony will now take place on November 22, the final day the exhibition is open to the public, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

The decision echoes adjustments made during previous extraordinary circumstances, including the 2021 Architecture Biennale, which was reshaped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The jury for this year’s exhibition, appointed by curator Koyo Kouoh, has recently resigned, prompting organisational adjustments. While the institution did not detail the reasons behind the resignations, it framed the broader decision to delay the awards as part of maintaining stability and continuity for the event.

Alongside the postponement, La Biennale announced the introduction of two “Visitors’ Lions” awards for the 61st edition of the Venice Biennale International Art Exhibition. These will be granted to the Best Participant in the main exhibition, titled In Minor Keys, and to the Best National Participation.

Voting will be open to ticket holders who have visited both exhibition venues during the event’s duration from May 9 to November 22. Votes will be cast in a single session and verified through the ticketing system. Artist collectives will be treated as single participants for voting purposes.

All national participations included in the official selection remain eligible for the Visitors’ Lion for Best National Participation. The institution said the measure reflects principles of inclusion and equal treatment, emphasising its commitment to openness and artistic dialogue.

In its statement, La Biennale stressed its role as a space “of truce” dedicated to art, culture and artistic freedom, underscoring that it aims to remain a platform insulated from political or institutional closure.

All national pavilions will be eligible to participate in the competition on an equal footing, including Russia and Israel.

By Aghakazim Guliyev