The 61st Venice Biennale has scrapped the long-standing Golden Lion awards, opting for public voting to determine the best national pavilion and artist.

In its latest twist, the Biennale Foundation announced that following a collective jury resignation over controversial political lines, visitors will now decide the winners. The public can vote on both the main exhibition and national pavilions, with Russia and Israel back in contention for the new Visitor Lions.

The move comes as the biennale faces continued turmoil, including a crowdfunded US pavilion and widespread boycott campaigns. The awards ceremony has been pushed to the last day of the event on November 22.

The Biennale Foundation stressed that this decision is in line with its founding spirit of openness and dialogue, stating it adheres to the principle of inclusion and equal treatment among all participants, regardless of political circumstances.