Zilkens' News Blog Archive

TEFAF for works on paper - could be - Photo: Stephan Zilkens

Zilkens‘ News Blog 14 2026

Travel broadens the mind – an old saying with a fair bit of truth to it. So now, Paris! When you haven’t been there for about six years, the sense of wonder at the changes is all the greater. Notre Dame is standing again, thank goodness. Traffic flows above ground – but only for taxis now. A 30 km/h speed limit and extensive cycle lanes ... read more

Banksy almost everywhere? Seen in Luang Prabang, Laos. Photo Stephan Zilkens

Zilkens‘ News Blog 13 2026

Some organisations are taking a bold approach, whilst others are exercising caution. Among the latter is Art Dubai, which has now postponed its event and appears set to present art to the public in a different format. Among the former is IFASIC (International Fine Art & Specie Insurance Conferences), which is sticking to its scheduled date in October 2026 in Marrakech. You can already register ... read more

The Team at TEFAF - Photo unknown visitor

Zilkens' News Blog 12 2026

Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran and Iraq are all located on the Persian Gulf; they produce oil and gas and account for 25–30% of global oil trade (approximately 20 million barrels per day), which must pass through the Strait of Hormuz. There is a pipeline through Saudi Arabia (which bypasses Yemen and ensures supply as long as the Suez ... read more

David is from Ukraine - Seen at Albertinum Dresden - Photo Stephan Zilkens

Zilkens' News Blog 11 2026

Elections were held in Baden-Württemberg. This is the region that advertises itself as being capable of anything except speaking the national language. For over 15 years, the Greens have provided the Minister-President in this industrial heartland, with the CDU acting as junior partner. If you follow the debates on television and compare them with the figures, you might be surprised: the AfD, which is considered ... read more

Käthe Kollwitz - Plakat 1924 - Kollwitz Museum Köln - Photo Stephan Zilkens

Zilkens' News Blog 10 2026

There are weekends that change the world. The last one was one of those! Of course, the ayatollahs and their henchmen dislike differing opinions and love to stir up conflict. Now the hydra has been beheaded – but how quickly will new heads grow back? According to statements, Iranian drones should no longer be directed against Ukraine – the country now wants to use them ... read more

More often to Museums - Liebighaus Frankfurt - Photo Stephan Zilkens

Zilkens' News Blog 9 2026

Hurrah – the Olympics are over! For the athletes who performed very well and for the officials with a bitter aftertaste. The disqualification of the Ukrainian bobsleigh pilot, who wanted to commemorate the athletes murdered by the Russians on his helmet, was distasteful, as was Infantino's kowtowing to Trump on the subject of football.Ten per cent of the population is said to have already been ... read more