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“New York Exhibition Unveils Recreation of Anne Frank’s Secret Annex”

“New York Exhibition Unveils Recreation of Anne Frank’s Secret Annex”


# Anne Frank The Exhibition: A Distinct Commemoration in New York City

The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, a destination attracting millions every year, is transporting her impactful story to New York City for an innovative exhibition—**Anne Frank The Exhibition**. Set to launch on **International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27, 2025)**, this unprecedented showcase will display full-scale replicas of the rooms in the Secret Annex, where Anne Frank and her family sought refuge during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. This exhibition will take place at the **Center for Jewish History** in Manhattan, commemorating the **80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz**.

## A Journey Through Anne Frank’s Life and Legacy

Anne Frank emerged as one of the most recognized voices of the Holocaust through her moving diary, detailing her two years in hiding prior to her arrest in 1944. Her touching account of life under oppression, paired with her insights into human nature, has struck a chord with readers for generations. While her brief life was tragically ended at just 15 years old at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, her legacy as both a writer and a Holocaust victim lives on. Her father, **Otto Frank**, the sole immediate family member to survive the Holocaust, published her diary in 1947, fulfilling one of his daughter’s dearest dreams—becoming an author.

Since its inception in 1960, the **Anne Frank House** in Amsterdam has preserved and showcased the family’s hiding spot. With this exhibition in New York, visitors from outside Europe will have the opportunity to experience the Annex firsthand through authentic, fully-equipped recreations of the residence. These rooms, constructed with careful attention to detail, offer a glimpse into the physical and emotional environment that influenced Anne’s thoughts during her time in concealment.

## A Profound Exhibit Reflecting on the Holocaust

Through an amalgamation of video, photography, sound, and animations, **Anne Frank The Exhibition** will transport attendees into Anne’s universe, taking them through her childhood in **Frankfurt, Germany**, her family’s relocation to **Amsterdam in 1934**, and, ultimately, the grim reality of the Nazi takeover that confined them to the Annex. The exhibition not only recounts her life in seclusion but also the heartbreaking aftermath once the Frank family faced betrayal, arrest, and transfer to various concentration camps.

Countless artifacts from the Anne Frank House will make their journey to the other side of the Atlantic, enriching the engaging narrative. Among these cherished items will be **Anne Frank’s initial photo album**, rare personal photographs, and a **typed and handwritten invitation** Anne extended to a friend for a film viewing at her home—a bittersweet memento, given that anti-Jewish legislation imposed by the Nazis at the time prohibited her and other Jewish children from attending public cinemas.

“**Anne Frank’s words resonate and motivate today, a voice we carry to every corner of the earth, nearly eight decades later,**” stated **Ronald Leopold**, the executive director of the Anne Frank House. He underscored that beyond upholding Anne’s legacy, it is crucial to highlight the historical origins of **antisemitism** and the genocidal ideologies that culminated in the Holocaust. “This exhibition provides insights into how this could have transpired and what it signifies for us in the present.”

## Antisemitism in the Modern Context

The exhibition’s timing is particularly relevant, as it launches during a period marked by escalating antisemitism. **Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld**, president of the Center for Jewish History, noted: “In an era of increasing antisemitism, her diary acts as both a caution and a call to action, reminding us of the catastrophic effects of hatred. This exhibition urges us to confront these threats directly and honor the memory of those lost in the Holocaust.”

The Holocaust claimed the lives of six million Jews, including 1.5 million children like Anne. These horrors were fueled by animosity, unrestrained prejudice, and state-sponsored brutality. The exhibition takes on added significance as communities continue to face contemporary expressions of racism, bigotry, and antisemitism as we move into the 21st century. By commemorating Anne Frank’s life and relaying the broader history of the Holocaust, the exhibition fosters empathy, reflection, and advocacy against injustice.

## The Exhibition Experience

**Tailored for visitors aged 10 and above**, **Anne Frank The Exhibition** provides an in-depth exploration of Anne’s personal story while situating it within the larger historical context of the era. The reimagined rooms of the Secret Annex will be supplemented by digital media, including photographs and video snippets that give a deeper understanding of both the love and fear that Anne Frank and her family experienced.

As they traverse these spaces, visitors can envision what life was like for Anne, her sister Margot, her mother Edith, and their close associates **Fritz Pfeffer**, **Otto Frank**, and the **Van Pels family** as