This year's Venice Biennale, featuring 99 participating countries, has raised concerns among Latvian artists, particularly regarding Russia’s involvement. Latvia will be represented by Bruno Birmanis and the fashion collective "Mareunrol's", presenting an exhibition about the history of alternative fashion. However, recent announcements about Russia's participation have caught many artists off guard, leading to feelings of distrust towards their Western partners. Rolands Pēterkops, a designer from "Mareunrol's", articulated the challenge of grappling with these unexpected changes, suggesting that such decisions may be strategic maneuvers that undermine the collaborative spirit of the event.