Support for the arts
In 2008, as in previous years, our subsidiary E+S Rück held a so-called "examination concert" in Hannover. Every year this event offers three to four "master students" at Hannover University of Music and Drama the opportunity to play with the accompaniment of a large orchestra. With this performance the students are able to complete their final examination and satisfy the requirements for becoming a professional soloist. In addition to advancing the career of the master students, the examination concert – which was held for the eleventh time in the year under review – served as the musical highlight of E+S Rück's annual "Hannover Forum" seminar event.
For many years our company has also dedicated itself to supporting the fine arts, especially in Hannover. Seventeen years ago, for example, we launched an art foundation that benefits the Sprengel Museum Hannover and we regularly make works of art available to this institution as permanent loans. The interest earned on the foundation's capital is used to acquire these pieces. Specially organised art tours make this collection accessible to interested sections of the broader public.
Our own art collection has enabled us to offer our staff, clients and other visitors an ambiance that presents multiple opportunities for contemplation and exploration. With the acquisition of Rolf Szymanski's six-metre high sculpture "Grosse Synagoge" we added another important work of contemporary art to our collection in the year under review.
Hannover Re also supports the Kestnergesellschaft in Hannover through its participation in the latter's partner programme: in our role as a "kestnerpartner" we are able to promote the society's work on a continuous and lasting basis. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer has set up a Board of Trustees for this art institution – whose reputation extends far beyond Hannover – under his own chairmanship. The revenue from donations brought in by this Board of Trustees will at least partially offset the sharp reduction in public subsidies.