A new multimedia exhibition titled "Anne Frank the Exhibition" opens on International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the Center for Jewish History in New York. The installation spans 7,500 square feet and will be on display for three months before traveling to other cities.
The exhibition features a classroom photograph of Anne Frank taken in 1935, alongside a full-scale re-creation of the secret annex where Anne and seven others hid from the Nazis from July 1942 to August 1944. This re-creation serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost during the Holocaust.
One of the exhibition's impactful elements is an animation that transforms the kindergarten photograph into silhouettes of ten Jewish children who were murdered, emphasizing the personal tragedy of their loss. Ronald Leopold, executive director of the Anne Frank House, highlighted the exhibition's aim to provide a deeper understanding of Anne Frank's life and the broader historical context.
The installation traces the Frank family's journey from Frankfurt to Amsterdam, culminating in the recreated annex, which includes furniture and personal items to evoke the lives of its occupants. Otto Frank, the sole survivor of the group, pursued the publication of Anne's diary, which has since been translated into 79 languages.
While the exhibition aims to educate visitors about the Holocaust, it has sparked debate regarding the commercialization of Anne Frank's legacy. Critics argue that the filled annex may detract from the somber reality of the original space, which was intentionally left empty to signify loss.
Despite these concerns, the exhibition is designed to engage younger audiences, with over 250 school tours already booked. It includes more than 100 original artifacts and explores the political climate of the 1920s and 30s, as well as the events leading to the Holocaust.
Visitors will also encounter a glass floor map of Europe marking death camps, alongside photographs and historical documents that illustrate the atrocities faced by Jews during this period. The exhibition seeks to inspire reflection and understanding of the Holocaust's impact on individuals and society.
Public programs will complement the exhibition, offering discussions and insights into Anne Frank's legacy and the ongoing relevance of her story. The organizers hope to reach 250,000 students and provide resources for an additional half a million through online materials.
Leopold emphasized that the exhibition aims not only to teach history but also to encourage self-reflection among visitors, ensuring that the memory of Anne Frank and the millions of Jewish children lost during the Holocaust is preserved.