April - June 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anne Frank + You at Blackburn Cathedral attracts 13,000 visitors

The organising team of Anne Frank and You at Blackburn Cathedral have been thrilled with the public response to the exhibition.  Canon Chris Chivers, who initiated the project, said: “Anne Frank + You not only brought more people to Blackburn Cathedral in one month – over 10,000 – than we have ever had for such an exhibition or event, and an amazing buzz right across the town and region, it also brought together a rainbow coalition of Lancashire’s citizens.

Seeing young Muslims in conversation with a local rabbi, or watching Christians and Muslims together, wrestling with the horrors of the Holocaust: these are images no-one could easily forget. They were a window onto a changed community: the community that the exhibition has helped us to build.”

Canon Chivers also spoke about the positive response from the Muslim community to the exhibition on BBC Radio 4 Sunday worship.  

Anjum Anwar MBE, who chaired the Blackburn Anne Frank steering committee, was delighted that they had exceeded their hoped for target of 100 schools coming, an astonishing number considering one of the weeks was half term.

Childrens' Secretary Ed Balls visits Anne Frank Trust offices

 

 

 

 

 

Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families, Ed Balls visits Anne Frank Trust offices, March 2008.

Bill Rammell - Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education vists Anne Frank + You

"If nothing else we must learn what happens when we allow racism, discrimination and hatred to go unchallenged.  It is my belief that by visiting the exhibition young people will take from it important messages and encourage them to contribute, in their own way, to the building of a society in which everyone is treated fairly and free from prejudice and hatred" Dr Angelique Gainza, Vice Principal Southgate College

Giving valuable time on 12th March, Budget Day, Bill Rammell visited the Anne Frank+You exhibition on display at Southgate College. He was shown around the exhibition by Gillian Walnes, Executive Director, Lucy Glennon, Head of Education and Tom Jupp, Trustee.

As part of his visit, Mr Rammel met with students from Southgate College who explained how the exhibition helped them to gain a greater understanding of the history of the Holocaust as well as contemporary issues of discrimination and prejduice.

Mr Rammel commented that he felt that it is extremely important for as many young people as possible, and in particular FE College students to see the exhibition.

After being presented with a copy of the Diary of Anne Frank, Mr Rammel invited the Trust to visit his Harlow constituency to work with local communities around issues of social tension.

Dr Angelique Gainza, Vice Principal, Southgate College said 'Many of our students have fled from persecution and the ever present threat to their lives from armed conflict, extreme poverty, political repression, marginalization and ethnic and civil violence. In the College the students have used this exhibition (Anne Frank and You) as a vehicle for discussing the consequences of religious and ethnic hatred and provide them with the inspiration to work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect. 

Anne Frank is above all else a symbol for the millions of young people who have been victims of various forms of persecution.  If nothing else we must learn what happens when we allow racism, discrimination and hatred to go unchallenged.  It is my belief that by visiting the exhibition young people will take from it important messages and encourage them to contribute, in their own way, to the building of a society in which everyone is treated fairly and free from prejudice and hatred.” 

Cllr Glynis Vince, cabinet member for education, children’s services and youth, said, “Enfield Council is proud to present this important and moving exhibition. It will always be relevant and we can all learn from it.”

Council Leader, Mike Rye, added, “I hope that many people and schools visit this exhibition and take away something from it. It is powerful, moving and tragic – and has something to say to everybody'

Click here for press coverage of the exhibition in Enfield.