Pussy Riot members, alongside Ukrainian feminist group FEMEN, stage a protest against Russia’s participation at the Venice Biennale on Wednesday. Reports describe the demonstrators approaching and gathering outside the Russian pavilion, with police blocking or controlling access. Multiple outlets say the activists ran toward the pavilion, chanted slogans, and performed with punk music. They also display Ukrainian flags, and some accounts mention flares in pink, blue, and yellow. One widely reported slogan is “Blood is Russia’s art,” along with messages such as “Enjoy the Show – Ignore the War.”
At least one outlet reports the protest forces the pavilion to briefly close on the second day of previews, while others characterize the action as a storming or attempt to block entry to the venue. Coverage frames the demonstration as part of broader criticism of the Venice Biennale’s decision to allow Russian participation amid the ongoing war. The outlets agree this is the first joint protest by Pussy Riot and FEMEN, and describe it as coordinated and attention-focused on the Russian pavilion.
