About
the Exhibit
The
Exhibit has been divided into five periods. In each of these periods
an important theme is introduced.
Opening
panel:
The
visitor gets acquainted with Anne and her diary. It also becomes
clear that there are very different ways of looking at the importance
of Anne Frank and her diary.
Period
I: 1929-1933
Anne’s
first four years of life. The rise of the Nazi party in Germany.
Themes: nationalism, scapegoat thinking.
Period
II: 1933-1939
Flight
of the Frank family to the Netherlands. Rejection and persecution of
Jews in Germany.
Theme:
the 'purification' of people (minorities), because they deviate from
the standard (of the majority).
Period
III: 1939-1942
The
Frank family and other Jews are trapped. Start of the persecution of
the Jews.
Theme:
civil courage.
Period
IV: 1942-1945
Hiding
period at the Secret Annex, Diary and deportation.
Theme:
Holocaust.
Period
V: 1945-nu
Publication
of the Diary; reactions to the Diary. Theme: human rights, duty of
state to battle against racism and discrimination but responsibility
of each individual. At the end of the exhibition 'ordinary' people
tell how they, in their situation, contribute to a society in which
differences between people are respected.
Objectives
1.
To inform the visitor about the history of the Holocaust from the
perspective of Anne Frank and her family;
2. To show the
visitor that there are differences between people in every society
(cultural, ethnical, religious, political). In many countries there
are factions who feel superior and who deny others the right to equal
treatment. Such views may lead to discrimination, exclusion and even
murder; mutual respect, human rights, democracy, etc.;
4.
To make the visitor realize that a society in which differences
between people are respected does not come about on its own. In
addition to legislation and law enforcement, everyone's efforts
within his or her possibilities are necessary.
About
Anne Frank
Anne
Frank was born into a Jewish family in Frankfurt Am Main, Germany in
1929. She was an ordinary little girl who loved to laugh, was called
a chatterbox by her teachers, and was full of mischief. In 1933, the
Nazis gained control of Germany and Otto Frank, a successful
businessman, made the decision to move his family to Holland.
Anne
lived a happy life in Amsterdam from 1934-1940. The Germans invaded
Holland in 1940, and Jews and other groups were targeted for
systematic extermination by the Nazis.
On July 5, 1942, Anne
Frank’s sister was sent a notice by the Germans to report for
deportation. The following day the family along with another Jewish
family and a friend went into hiding in the “Secret Annex”
of an old building.
Lively, talkative Anne was forced for the
next 25 months to go days without talking and she turned to her diary
“Kitty” to write her innermost thoughts, feelings, and
hopes for a better world. The occupants of the “Secret Annex”
were arrested on August 4, 1944 and sent to various concentration
camps by the Nazis.
Anne died in Bergen-Belsen concentration
camp in 1945. Her diary is an imposing document revealing Anne’s
ability to unmask the inhumanity of racism and fascism. She has
become a universal symbol of courage and hope in the midst of
horrendous violations of human rights.
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