Anne Frank exhibition on at library
Officially launched on anniversary of Jewish diarist’s arrest
It was nearly two years ago when the offer to host the Anne Frank: Let me be myself exhibition at Te Aka Mauri first presented itself. So after many emails and phone conversations, and the support of the Rotorua Trust, the Anne Frank Exhibition: Let me be myself was finally installed and officially opened last week on August 4 — the anniversary of when Anne and her family were discovered and arrested in 1944.
Speakers at the opening event included the chairman of the Anne
Frank Travelling Exhibition NZ, Boyd Klap COON, CNZM, QSO.
Boyd, who is 95 years old, was a member of the Dutch Resistance and was responsible for bringing the exhi
bition from Amsterdam to New Zealand in 2012 and again in 2018.
It was also his vision that saw Anne Frank’s diary translated into te reo Māori.
Waikimihia Douglas-karauna who studies at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Koutu read a short excerpt from the te reo version of the book, and Ivee Jane Macfarlane from Rotorua
Lakes High School read from the English version.
Rotorua Lakes councillor, MerciaDawn Yates spoke of her own Jewish heritage and officially opened the Rotorua exhibition.
The exhibition not only details Anne Frank’s life but addresses her ideals and hopes for the world, a world without discrimination.
This is highlighted in the stories of young New Zealanders in part of the display.
The Anne Frank: Let me be myself exhibition is on the second floor of Rotorua Library, Te Aka Mauri and is available to view during library open hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm) until October 23. There is no charge to view.
Sue Heke is Rotorua Library’s adult learning programmes and promotions co-ordinator.