The largest strike in Biennale history.
On May 8, a 24-hour strike for Palestine and workers’ rights followed the delivery of the ANGA letter and the Biennale’s silence. Across Venice, national pavilions closed, artists altered or draped works, and thousands marched from Via Garibaldi to the Arsenale.
Thirty of the Biennale’s 100 national pavilions partially or fully shut down, while artists in the main exhibition draped and altered their works. The demonstration at 4:30 PM carried Palestinian flags and banners through Venice as Radio Alhara broadcast live from the ground.
The march effectively blocked the main entrance to the Arsenale that afternoon and spanned the distance between Giardini and Arsenale. Artist Gabrielle Goliath spoke to the crowd about the cancellation and relocation of Elegy, while Gazan artist Mohammed Joha addressed what it costs to make art while the world refuses to look.
The action was called by ANGA, Biennalocene, Sale Docks, Mi Riconosci?, Vogliamo Tutt’altro, local grassroots organisations, and Italian trade unions including ADL Cobas, USB, and CUB.
No opening as usual. Strike. 8 May.
A mobilization against the Genocide Pavilion, for Palestine, and for the rights of cultural workers.
No opening as usual. Strike — May 8, Venice.
We mobilize against the Genocide Pavilion. For Palestine. For the rights of cultural workers.
The genocide has not ended. In Gaza, after the systematic destruction of infrastructure and essential services, Israel continues to exert control and violence.
In the West Bank, expropriation and settler violence are intensifying. The expansion of the conflict across the region — from Lebanon to Iran — further escalates an already devastating war.
And yet, as violence continues, the Biennale keeps offering space and legitimacy to the State of Israel. A clear double standard: international law is invoked for some, suspended for others.
For over two years, as art workers together with ANGA, we have called for the exclusion of Israel — as was done with South Africa during apartheid. We reject artwashing and cultural complicity in violence.
At the same time, we denounce the material conditions of our sector: widespread precarity, inadequate contracts, outsourcing, and lack of protections. The same economy that funds war erodes welfare and rights here as well.
The Biennale is not neutral. It is part of this system. That is why we strike.
Together with unions, Biennalocene, and ANGA, we call on everyone to join.
No opening as usual. Sciopero 8 maggio — Venezia.
Ci mobilitiamo contro il Padiglione Genocidio. Per la Palestina. Per i diritti delle lavoratrici e dei lavoratori della cultura.
Il genocidio non è finito. A Gaza, dopo la distruzione sistematica di infrastrutture e servizi essenziali, Israele continua a esercitare controllo e violenza.
In Cisgiordania, espropri e violenze dei coloni si intensificano. L’estensione del conflitto nella regione, dal Libano all’Iran, aggrava ulteriormente una guerra già devastante.
Eppure, mentre la violenza prosegue, la Biennale continua a offrire spazio e legittimità allo Stato di Israele. Un doppio standard evidente: si invoca il diritto internazionale per alcuni, lo si sospende per altri.
Da oltre due anni, come lavoratrici e lavoratori dell’arte, insieme ad ANGA, chiediamo l’esclusione di Israele — come avvenne per il Sudafrica durante l’apartheid. Rifiutiamo l’artwashing e la complicità culturale con la violenza.
Allo stesso tempo, denunciamo le condizioni materiali del nostro settore: precarietà diffusa, contratti inadeguati, esternalizzazioni, assenza di tutele. La stessa economia che finanzia la guerra erode welfare e diritti, anche qui.
La Biennale non è neutrale. È parte di questo sistema. Per questo scioperiamo.
Uniti a sindacati, Biennalocene e ANGA, chiamiamo tutte e tutti a partecipare.
Download the Strike Action Guide.
Access the full strike statement and FAQ as a downloadable PDF. Share it with artists, cultural workers, institutions, press contacts, and anyone joining the action.
Share the strike document.
Scan or circulate this QR code to send people directly to the strike statement and FAQ.
