Latvia bans three over Russia’s Venice Biennale role, including Lavrov’s daughter

Former Culture Minister Mikhail Shvydkoy and Anastasia Karneyeva, the daughter of Rostec Deputy General Director Nikolai Volobuyev, were also added to the blacklist.

The Latvian Foreign Ministry said the entry ban is imposed indefinitely.

According to Delfi, all three individuals included by Braze in the list of undesirable persons are linked to Russia’s representation at the Venice Biennale. Shvydkoy is the Russian president’s envoy for international cultural cooperation and was one of the main proponents of Russia’s participation. Karneyeva is the chief organizer of the Russian pavilion, while Vinokurova is a co-founder of the company that serves as the pavilion’s official operator.

Earlier, European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas said the EU would cut funding for the Venice Biennale over Russia’s return to the exhibition. Latvia will also skip the opening.

Latvian Culture Minister Agnese Lāce said she would boycott the Biennale’s opening on May 9 if Russia takes part. She initiated a joint statement calling for Russia’s exclusion from the Venice Biennale, which was signed by 25 countries.