Artist Katya Margolis is known to everyone on Russian-language Facebook. She mercilessly criticizes not only Putin, but also the “good Russians.” We spoke with her. About the Biennale, Sokurov, and the cancellation of Russian culture

Artist Katya Margolis is known to everyone on Russian-language Facebook. She mercilessly criticizes not only Putin, but also the “good Russians.” We spoke with her. About the Biennale, Sokurov, and the cancellation of Russian culture

In 2026, Russia returned to the Venice Biennale for the first time since the start of the full-scale war with Ukraine. As part of the event, a meeting with director Alexander Sokurov, who lives in Russia and criticizes the authorities, was also supposed to take place, but it was canceled. This happened after an open letter from Russian and Italian activists who criticized the participation of Russia and Alexander Sokurov in the Biennale. The letter was signed, in particular, by artist and activist Katya Margolis, who actively speaks out against Russian influence through culture. We speak with her in the podcast “What Happened” about the Venice Biennale, Alexander Sokurov, and Russian culture.

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In 2026, Russia returned to the Venice Biennale for the first time since the start of the full-scale war with Ukraine. As part of the event, a meeting with director Alexander Sokurov, who lives in…