Women in the spotlight at the 59th Venice International Biennale of Contemporary Art

A bronze sculpture by artist Simone Leigh at the 59th Venice International Biennale of Contemporary Art.

AFP - VINCENZO PINTO

Text by: RFI Follow

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This is the Holy Grail of artists: representing your country at the Venice Art Biennale, the 59th edition of which opens its doors in the Serenissima this Saturday, April 23.

This year, 80 national pavilions will adorn the center of the largest art event in the world.

In all, 213 designers from 58 countries were also invited by curator Cecilia Alemani.

It is a monster artistic showcase, unique in its kind to be seen exceptionally this year until November.

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with our special correspondent in Venice

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Among the biennials that punctuate the art world, that of Venice is unique.

It's the sporting equivalent of the Olympics.

A high-level competition of talents from all over the world.

A showcase for the most experienced, a springboard for the youngest.

Curator Cecilia Alemani has decided to move the lines of the great history of art, by giving an unprecedented place to women in the colossal exhibition which is organized in the Arsenal and in the famous

, the gardens.

Some 80% of the artists invited this year are women.

Collectives, minorities, the less well endowed are also in the spotlight.

New countries are entering the big leagues

New countries are entering this big league, such as Cameroon, Namibia, Nepal, Uganda, Kazakstan and Uzbekistan.

Because the Venice Biennale is also an opportunity for States to highlight an artistic scene in pavilions entrusted to national artists.

The richest or oldest countries, because the biennial dates from 1895, have set up shop in the

.

The others find reception places throughout the city.

This year, the Netherlands left the gardens to offer their space to Estonia.

The Nordic countries have given way to make way for the Sami, an indigenous people of the Arctic.

The Russian pavilion meanwhile remained closed, as the artists resigned during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Within the

, an empty central space made of burnt wood and mounds of sandbags symbolizes

.

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