VENICE- The Russian Pavilion opened its doors at the Venice Biennale's International Art Exhibition on Tuesday, bringing Moscow back to the show for the first time since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine despite weeks of bitter controversy.

However, the embattled organizers of one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art events have decided that visitors will only be allowed inside the sage-green pavilion during four days of press previews in the lagoon city.

Thereafter, for the duration of the six-month show, which features exhibits from around the world, people will have to remain outside the Russian venue, watching videos projected onto its external walls as live music filters out from the windows.

Critics, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government, have said Moscow should not be granted such visibility while its war on Ukraine continues. The European Union has also waded into the row, threatening to withdraw 2 million euros ($2.3 million) in funding.

RUSSIA WELCOMES ITS RETURN TO RENOWNED EVENT

Biennale chairman Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, a former journalist who shares Meloni's far-right political roots, has defended his decision to let Russia return, saying art should remain a neutral space for dialogue without censorship.

However, in the wake of the furious backlash, the lawyers of the Biennale have said that the pavilion cannot open to the general public because of European sanctions on Russia.

Despite the restrictions, Moscow has embraced its return. In a post on social media, the pavilion's commissioner Anastasia Karneeva, daughter of a former Russian general, thanked the Biennale for "endorsing the idea of having all countries" represented at the event.

Residents and tourists in Venice, a historic crossroads between east and west, were divided over the reintroduction.

"I am okay with readmitting Russia, but I understand that art can be used as a propaganda tool," said Damiano Bodei, a 24-year-old Venetian walking near the pavilion.

Adding to the turmoil buffeting the exhibition, the entire jury resigned last week after an Israeli artist accused it of racial discrimination over its decision not to award prizes to his country and to Russia. In response, the Biennale said the public would select the winners.

OPPOSITION GROUPS PROMISE PROTESTS

Around 100 nations will take part in the event, which was established in 1895, including seven participating for the first time. The last edition, in 2024, sold 700,000 tickets and some believe the row over Russia may help draw in the crowds.

"This Biennale will certainly get more visitors than before, because this news has gone around the world," said Stefano Contini, the owner of an art gallery.

According to minutes of an emergency meeting with government officials last month, a Biennale representative said Russia had not been invited but had the right to participate because it owns the pavilion.

Inside the building on Tuesday, flowers hung from the ceiling above musicians playing traditional balalaikas - a Russian stringed instrument. Video of the performance will be projected onto the outside walls in the months ahead.

Opposition groups have called for demonstrations to voice their dissent, including a performance scheduled for Wednesday near the Biennale gardens involving about 15 artists who say they belong to minorities denied recognition in Russia.

"The idea is to turn people into living pavilions that tell the stories of populations who have no space at all," said Giulia De Florio, the Italian head of Memorial, a human rights group that Russia designated "extremist" last month.

($1 = 0.8539 euros)

(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Alison Williams)