Anne Frank exhibition goes on display at Waikato Museum

The travelling exhibition ‘Anne Frank: A History for Today’ will open at Waikato Museum next Wednesday, 18 May.

The exhibition from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam tells the story of Anne Frank’s diary alongside a timeline of general WWII history and holocaust events – giving viewers insight into how Anne Frank’s story relates to real world events while also providing an overview of the story of the Franks who spent two years in hiding in an office building during WWII.

The exhibition’s opening will also coincide with International Museum’s Day, which acknowledges the role that museums play in society and this year carries the theme ‘Museum and Memory’.

Waikato Museum director Kate Vusoniwailala said the Anne Frank exhibition highlights the important role that museums play in preserving memories.

“The Anne Frank exhibition is a poignant reminder of not only an event that has affected history forever but of the effect these events had on the individual.

“This exhibition relates perfectly to the theme of international Museum’s Day, ‘Museum and Memories’ – reminding us that these memories of past mistakes can not only be reflected on but learned from as well.”

During the weekends volunteers from the Jewish community will act as hosts in the gallery space.

Anne Frank: A History for Today will remain on display at Waikato Museum until 22 June 2011.

Visit www.waikatomuseum.co.nz for more information.