Venice Biennale sees Bahrain and Lebanon withdraw

Violence and political turmoil on the home front have sparked Bahrain and Lebanon’s decision to pull out of the Venice Biennale. The unfortunate news comes on the heels of Bahrain’s inaugural participation in the showcase in 2009, in which its pavilion, curated by architects Noura Al-Sayeh and Fuad Al-Ansari, was awarded the Golden Lion prize. Artists including Fouad Elkoury, Lamia Joreige, Walid Sadek and Akram Zaatari took part in Lebanon’s 2007 debut, which carried an official blessing from the country but had to be funded via private donations. Egypt’s presence at the festival remains unclear.