Zilkens' News Blog

Zilkens' News Blog 40 2024

Consumer advocates are a special breed. Especially when they are organised in small units and yet have enormous influence on politics and public opinion through the press. It's nice when a warning lawyer or association threatens the supposedly economically stronger. Now it seems to be directed against the concept of 'independence' of insurance brokers. They are supposedly not independent because they receive commission for their services from the companies and not from the customer. However, the customer pays for this because it is included in the premium, and the broker of any gender maintains his independence when he selects the companies according to their strength for the respective risk, and most colleagues also make their level transparent. It is interesting that politicians and the press listen to the demands of consumer protection organisations. This probably has something to do with their own weakness...

Ai Wei Wei had to accept the destruction of one of his sculptures by a visitor to an exhibition in Bologna. It was probably insured, hopefully with an insurer that would not only pay for the cost of rebuilding.

Now Austria too - around 30% voted for the FPÖ and thus for Kickl's slogans. None of the defeated parties wants to work with Kickl, but perhaps with his party. Hearns, the people don't vote for the first time" was the motto of Travnicek and the elections. (The Sketch from Qualtinger only works in German - sorry) The problem with the whole 30% is their attitude towards Russia and Ukraine. Anyone who wants to live in freedom in the long term cannot refuse to support Ukraine.

Sotheby's has received fresh capital from Abu Dhabi - it will be interesting to see whether the country will continue to handle its future art sales through the house.

The next Biennale of Islamic Art in Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will also feature manuscripts from the Vatican Library. It will be interesting to see what is shown there from January.

Apart from that, we have a normal week ahead of us - with the German National Day on Thursday.

With that in mind, we wish everyone a good start to the week.

The team of Zilkens Fine Art Insurance Broker GmbH in Cologne and Solothurn