Anne Frank Zentrum
The Anne Frank Zentrum (Anne Frank Centre) is a facility located in Berlin, which is committed to promoting a varied and lively society and to working against anti-Semitism, prejudice and any kind of discrimination against people.
History
The foundation of the Anne Frank Zentrum in Berlin goes back to an initiative in 1994. At the time the showing of the international travelling exhibition "The world of Anne Frank. 1929-1945" was being prepared in Berlin. The exhibition was shown in six boroughs of the city to mark the 50th anniversary of the liberation from National Socialism. Specifically to support the coordination of the exhibition and the extensive accompanying programme a Society of Friends was founded.
With this organisation as a basis, efforts were made towards the founding of the Anne Frank Zentrum in Berlin so that the work on the topics of the exhibition could be continued. To this end the existing Anne Frank Centres in Great Britain and the USA offered guidance.
On completion of a cooperation agreement with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam the Anne Frank Zentrum was finally opened on 12 June 1998. Since then numerous visitors, youth groups and school classes have been coming to the Anne Frank Zentrum from Berlin and the whole country. Since September 2002 the Anne Frank Zentrum has been based next to the Hackesche Höfe at 39 Rosenthaler Strasse in Berlin.
Exhibition in Berlin
Since 4 November 2006 the new permanent exhibition "Anne Frank. Here & Now" can be seen at the Anne Frank Zentrum. It is an exhibition about history and the present. It tells the personal life story of Anne Frank and connects it to the world she lived in. The exhibition focuses on the diary and the story of the life of Anne Frank. But via listening stations and portrait films young people of Berlin also have their say, dealing with current questions and so forming a connection to the present.
Touring exhibitions
Projects with Anne Frank touring exhibitions are special events which directly involve many people. The projects encourage the examination of history but also of topics such as democracy and human rights. It is a special opportunity for young people to get involved. Anne Frank touring exhibitions are therefore one of the most important examples of active action against right wing extremism in Germany.
The Anne Frank Zentrum offers different touring exhibitions with which one can organise a project on their own town. For a few weeks, this will create a special cultural event for all generations in the region. The life story of Anne Frank raises central questions for the present time: issues of social diversity, democracy and human rights are only a few of the topics.