South Africa’s Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has withdrawn a performance mourning victims of Israel’s actions in Gaza from the country’s 2026 Venice Biennale pavilion. The decision prioritizes showcasing South African narratives over global conflicts, according to an official statement.
In remarks to Hyperallergic, a department spokesperson explained that the pavilion “should not be used to amplify similarly divisive global disputes that do not center South Africa’s own story.” The statement emphasized using international platforms to promote the nation positively: “We need to use our platforms to sell our country to the world.”
The Biennale, a prestigious global art event held biennially in Venice, Italy, features national pavilions where countries present works reflecting their cultural identity. South Africa’s entry, selected through a competitive process, had initially included the performance addressing the Gaza crisis—a stance aligning with the country’s vocal criticism of Israel at the International Court of Justice.
This move comes amid heightened global tensions over the Israel-Gaza conflict, which South Africa has framed as genocide in legal filings. Cultural institutions worldwide have grappled with similar debates, balancing artistic freedom against diplomatic sensitivities.
The department has not yet announced a replacement for the performance. Art observers note that Venice Biennales often serve as stages for political expression, making this cancellation a rare instance of national self-censorship.
Cover image: Gabrielle Goliath and Ingrid Masondo. Photo: Zunis.
Athmaja Biju is the Editor at Abir Pothi. She is a Translator and Writer working on Visual Culture.
