On 8 May, the Latvian Pavilion “The Untamed Assembly: behind the scenes of utopia” opens at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia. The exhibition features a new work by the interdisciplinary artist duo Mareunrol's, created in dialogue with alternative fashion designer Bruno Birmanis and his Untamed Fashion Assemblies – a series of experimental fashion, art and performance events that took place in Riga in the 1990s.
“I was proud and delighted to stand shoulder to shoulder with our brave artists, curators and supporters at this global art event, where the prevailing tone that Russia as an aggressor state has no place in the big art world has been achieved thanks to the unity of the Baltic, Polish, Ukrainian and Scandinavian countries. The story of our artists perfectly serves the deeper message of the thirst for freedom, where the visitor to the pavilions has the opportunity to stop, observe and reflect on what is essential for humanity,” says Dāvis Stalts, Head of the Riga City Council Culture Commission
Russia’s participation in the Venice Biennale this year caused a huge stir. The Riga City Council, as one of the biggest supporters of the Latvian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, previously called on the organisers of the Venice Biennale to cancel the participation of the Russian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale this year and all future years until Russia ends the full-scale war in Ukraine and withdraws its army from the territories illegally occupied in Ukraine.
The Latvian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale is organised by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, which is responsible for the creation of the pavilion, the realisation of the exposition and international communication. The implementation of the pavilion includes the creation and installation of the artwork, as well as communication activities to ensure the international visibility of Latvia and Riga.
The Latvian Pavilion is commissioned by the Ministry of Culture. The funding from the Ministry of Culture is EUR 162,140 (including VAT). The municipality will co-finance up to EUR 100,000 of the 2026 budget programme, which will boost the city’s competitiveness, economic growth and cultural visibility. This funding represents around one-third of the total cost of organising the Latvian National Pavilion.
The Venice Biennale, traditionally held every two years, is one of the most significant contemporary art events in the world, bringing together artists, curators, critics, and cultural professionals from around the globe. Latvia has participated in the Venice Biennale since 1999. Latvia’s participation in this prestigious event presents an important opportunity to
promote contemporary Latvian art and, at the same time, strengthen Riga’s image as an active and creative European Capital of Culture, thereby encouraging interest in Riga as an internationally attractive destination.
It is planned that the Latvian pavilion at the 2027 Venice Biennale will be transported and exhibited at the Riga Contemporary Art Space, where it will be open to all art lovers who have not had the opportunity to visit Venice.
61 The Venice Biennale runs from 6 May to 22 November.
Information was prepared by Ineta Miglāne, Project Coordinator, External Communication Division of the Communications Department of the Riga City Council, e-mail: ineta.miglane@riga.lv.
