The Republic of Moldova will participate for the first time in the 61st International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, with the project “In the One Thousand and Second Night” by artist Pavel Braila, curated by Adelina Luft. The Ministry of Culture stated that the initiative will increase the country cultural visibility and create new opportunities for international artistic dialogue.
“If we want a visible and credible presence in the European space, we must be present where international cultural dialogue takes place. Participation in La Biennale di Venezia is a deliberate decision through which we affirm that the Republic of Moldova has a voice in this context,” said Culture Minister Cristian Jardan.
The 2026 edition of the Biennale is held under the theme “In Minor Keys”. Pavel Braila will represent Moldova with the installation “In the One Thousand and Second Night”, which reflects on the relationship between peace, memory, technology, and solidarity in a global context marked by instability.
The work features suspended carpets lifted by drones, transforming a symbol of threat into a gesture of support and reinterpreting the relationship between fragility and power. Inspired by the tradition of Moldovan carpets and the universe of “One Thousand and One Nights”, the piece explores imagination as a form of cultural continuity in times of uncertainty.
Organizers will present the project at Santa Veneranda, part of the Chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia in Venice, and the public will be able to visit it free of charge.
Pavel Braila said the work represents the Republic of Moldova.
“I am pleased that the country first official participation in the Biennale takes place through this project, inspired by present day realities and carrying a subtle yet powerful message. The carpet symbolizes home and care, while the drones in the installation transform an instrument of control into a gesture of protection, speaking about fragility and our capacity to remain together and imagine a safer world.”
Founded in 1895 in Venice, La Biennale di Venezia is one of the most prestigious cultural events worldwide. The event includes several sections, most notably the International Art Exhibition, alongside the Architecture Biennale, the Film Festival, and other programs dedicated to contemporary arts.
The Ministry of Culture supports the Republic of Moldova participation in the International Art Exhibition in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with a budget of 5 million lei.