The international Anne Frank travelling exhibition being hosted in the foyer of the Overstrand Municipality, was officially opened by MayorNicolette Botha-Guthrie on the evening of 1 July.
The exhibition, which runs until 17 July, tells the story of Anne Frank against the background of the Holocaust and the Second World War.
In her speech, the mayor outlined how thirteen- year-old Anne Frank wrote her diary between 12 June 1942 and 1 August 1944 in the form of letters addressed to a fictitious character named Kitty. The diary reveals the everyday life of Jewish people in hiding and establishes a symbolic link to the suffering of the Jewish population during World War II.
Anne Frank – a history for today, has travelled all over the world, and is presented more than 300 times per year. The tour is coordinated by the Anne Frank House, but locally by the Cape Town Holocaust Centre.
The mayor told guests that the aim of the exhibition is to inform visitors about the history of the Holocaust from the perspective of Anne and her family.
“It also shows visitors that cultural, ethnic, religious and political differences between people exist in every society.” said Botha- Guthrie.
“This exhibition challenges visitors to think about concepts such as tolerance, mutual respect, human rights, an open opportunity society and democracy.
“Finally, it helps visitors to understand that a society where differences between people are respected, does not come about by itself. Legislation is of course necessary, but people also have to make a personal commitment.”
