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For the first time in several years, putin’s Russia is returning to the Venice Biennale. Representatives of the Biennale say the decision does not depend on them — here is why that is not true… The Biennale consists of the main international exhibition and national pavilions. One of them is the Russian pavilion. However, although the building belongs to Russia, it is located in the Giardini, which are the property of the Italian state and the city of Venice, and it functions only through agreements with the Biennale. The president of the Biennale is appointed by the Italian government. The Russian pavilion is not an embassy: it is not sovereign territory and does not have diplomatic status. This means that the Italian government, the authorities of Venice, and the Biennale itself can say “no” to Russia if they choose to. If Russia participates in the Biennale, it means this is a political decision by Italy. What is Russia bringing into the heart of Europe? There is no full list yet, but here is one example — the State Academic Russian Choir named after A. V. Sveshnikov. Regular guests of the propaganda channel Russia 24, they have been personally awarded a commendation by the war criminal putin. Responding to criticism, Russian government official and shit-eater Mikhail Shvydkoy said: “Eternity prevails over momentary concerns; culture prevails over politics… Unfortunately, not everyone is capable of understanding this.” Yes — Ukrainian children who have lost their parents and their homes will indeed not be able to understand that. Shvydkoy openly celebrates: "This is further proof that Russian culture is not isolated, and that attempts to 'cancel' it – undertaken for the past four years by Western political elites – have not succeeded." This is not culture outside politics, but politics disguised as culture. The participation of official Russia in the Biennale is a serious blow to Europe’s security. Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, cultural “soft power” has become part of Russia’s military doctrine and an instrument of hybrid warfare. The Kremlin has long used culture as a continuation of foreign policy — and as a way to legitimize the regime abroad. It is the cultural expansion of imperial Russia into the heart of Europe. We should not step on the same rake twice. We remember that in 1934, for example, Hitler and Mussolini enjoyed art together at the Biennale. In 1942 the Biennale was dedicated to military art, while the exhibition catalogue contained not a single mention of World War II. It is nothing new that totalitarian regimes use art to normalize their power. Pussy Riot has a message for these bloodthirsty propagandists - Expect Resistance. We will drown out the noise you export - death, tragedy and lies. We want to express unconditional support for Ukraine, for the victims of Russian war crimes, for Russian political prisoners, and for Ukrainian prisoners of war. The best citizens of Russia are either sitting in prison for anti-war gestures or have been killed — while Europe opens its doors to putin’s officials and propagandists. Nadya Tolokonnikova