Anne Frank + You Exhibition
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Anne Frank + You is the title of a travelling exhibition brought to the Island (Corrin Hall, Peel Cathedral) by the Sub Dean of St Germans Cathedral. The exhibition ran for a month between 4-29 March 2010.
About the exhibition: Starting from Anne Frank’s writings and experiences, the exhibition is a journey of self exploration for the visitor.
Themes that Anne wrote about in her diary, such as racial hatred, war and conflict and the value of democracy and freedom, are presented in an up to date and contemporary fashion, along with filmed interviews with teenagers discussing their own views, concerns and hopes for the future.
Anne Frank + You was launched in 2005 to give Anne Frank’s story and message a current profile for today. It has a strong focus on the issues of identity and moral choice we face in the twenty first century. It is suitable for adults and children from age 10 upwards.
The exhibition includes:
- The Anne Frank photo album featuring poignant photos of Anne and her sister Margot
- Replica artefacts from Anne’s life and the Holocaust
- The chilling 'genocide tunnel'
- A near-life-size replica of Anne’s bedroom in the Secret Annexe
- An interactive virtual tour of the Secret Annexe in Amsterdam, where the Frank family hid for over two years
- Powerful graphic imagery of the social issues affecting us in today’s society, encouraging us to consider the similarities between the hopes, dreams and fears of Anne Frank and today's young people.
The Anne Frank + You exhibition has always been a highly valued vehicle for explaining the value of democracy and a civil society. At the same time it aims to encourage the building of a socially cohesive and responsible community.
To find out more about the exhibition, please click here to be directed to the Anne Frank website.
If you would like to contribute to the staging of the exhibition, please use our secure online ‘Donate’ button below.
If you would like to help in any other way, please contact Carol Jempson via email to capajem@manx.net.
Update: If you would like to look at what's going on in the Cathedral at the moment with young people from schools, below is a link to the DVD that Ben Dalglish has made on behalf of the One World Centre showcasing Mike Bell's workshop. It is a very powerful piece of filming and, if you want to be inspired, then watch it! Catherine Quirk, Coordinator for the Anne Frank ( + you) exhibition says "I'm thrilled that we have enabled this initiative to be part of our offering to students in all schools".
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/4506961/Heroes.m4v
Now the exhibition has closed:
When the Anne Frank [+ You} exhibition closed on 29th March 8,000 visitors had passed through the doors to the Corrin Hall during the exhibition’s month long visit.
The exhibition, funded entirely by public donation, has been heralded as an outstanding success by young and old alike. Eric Quirk, Chairman of the organising committee said “the number of people visiting the exhibition had matched the most optimistic projections for visitor numbers made by the committee.” He added, “Many have been visibly moved by the whole experience and the majority have engaged with the exhibition in a thoughtful and serious manner.”
Below are just a few of the comments from some of the students who visited the exhibition.
‘We agree that this is a horrible way to treat people. Everyone is different in their own way and that’s what makes us all unique and special.’ (Ballacottier Year 6 students)
‘I just want to go out and make a difference in the world after seeing all this’ (Year 6 student)
‘People should be proud of their differences because it makes us who we are. We should try to do what is right and be the voice of others who cannot. Our dream is for world peace where one day we can live side by side respecting other people, whatever their religion, colour or race. Anne’s story should never be forgotten so that we can continue to learn from the past.’ (Year 9 student)
‘I didn’t think this visit was going to be like this. I feel very emotional.’ (Year 9 student)
Students came to visit the multi-media exhibition from every school on the island, both primary and secondary. Students were encouraged to express their feelings about what they were experiencing and learning in a blank diary left open for their comments. Hundreds of these young people signed the Anne Frank Declaration, a commitment to stand up for what is right and defend those who cannot defend themselves.
The ‘journey’ made by the Anne Frank [+ You} IOM Committee has been something of a rollercoaster over the twelve months of planning, but all are agreed that it has been the most worthwhile project, touching, as it has, the lives of so many people over the month.
The challenge is there for us all – ‘Stand up, speak up. We can each of us make a difference’.
Catherine Quirk, Coordinator. Anne Frank ( + You} Isle of Man. 31st March 2010