Anne Frank: A History for Today opens at the Burchfield Penney in September

Anne Frank was one of over one million Jewish children who died in the Holocaust. Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl has become one of the most powerful memoirs and the story of her life and death resonate with people of various ages and backgrounds. Anne Frank: A History For Today, a traveling exhibition that recounts Anne Frank’s story will be on view at the Center September 10 – October 6, 2013. Anne Frank: A History for Today was developed by the Anne Frank House, sponsored in North America by the Anne Frank Center USA and presented in collaboration with SUNY Buffalo State's Anne Frank Project.

The life story of Anne Frank is the centerpiece of the exhibition. The family’s story reflects world events prior to, during, and after the period of Nazi dictatorship. The exhibit juxtaposes photographs of the Frank family with images of historical events at the time to show how persecuted people such as the Franks were affected by political decisions and the actions of individuals.

"This connection between Anne's very personal life during the Holocaust and the multiple connections to world affairs speaks to the heart of the Anne Frank Project,” says Drew Kahn, SUNY at Buffalo State theater professor and founding director of The Anne Frank Project, a multi-layered social justice initiative at based at the campus. “Anne Frank's life, words and wisdom is the starting point for the intense examination of bigotry, hatred, intolerance and genocide. Like an excellent teacher, Anne Frank helps us to begin difficult and necessary dialogue so that we may surface tools for an improved world."

Visitors learn about the history of the Holocaust through the perspective of Anne Frank and her family. The exhibit illustrates how certain historical events governed the lives of the Franks, thereby demonstrating the effects of National Socialism on a German-Jewish family. In particular, the exhibit introduces visitors to the history of World War I and World War II. The enormity of the government-sponsored killings of Jews, Gypsies, disabled persons, Slavs and other ‘undesirables’ is shown.

Additionally, the importance of individual action then and now is a key component of the exhibit. Emphasis is placed on the distinction between individuals who chose to join the Nazi Party and become perpetrators, those who remained bystanders, and the select few who resisted Nazi tyranny.

Today, children and their families continue to be victims of violence, war, and conflict. This exhibit allows visitors to consider the effects of prejudice, discrimination, hate, and violence. Through the story of Anne Frank, visitors are encouraged to examine their own attitudes towards others.

Anne Frank: A History For Today encourages visitors to learn more about scapegoating, anti-Semitism, racism, ethnic cleansing, and genocide as well as human rights, democracy, and conflict resolution. Moreover, it challenges the viewer to learn about international human rights laws and standards as defined by such documents as the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights and Convention on the Rights of Children.

Lastly, the exhibition challenges visitors to engaged with current events and to take an active role in their communities and government. The final panel tells the stories of ordinary persons, from all walks of life, who have experienced racism, intolerance, and discrimination on a daily basis. These stories allow the visitor to question how differences between individuals are addressed and inspire the visitor to work towards a more just, inclusive society.

"We are extremely fortunate to have several local Holocaust survivors share their personal stories with us during the run of the exhibit,” added Professor Kahn. “These survivors are living history standing before us. Their stories force us to examine the deepest parts of ourselves. The children of western New York are especially fortunate to be present at this rare treat sponsored by the Holocaust Resource Center of Buffalo."

Anne Frank: A History of Today will also feature an exhibit component developed locally as part of a NYSED Technology and Learning Grant through Erie 1 BOCES. A virtual environment, designed by Erie 1 BOCES technology integrator Andrew Wheelock. Twenty computers will be stationed within the exhibit to provide a hands-on, guided immersion through a virtual simulation. “This virtual-annex experience places attendees directly inside Anne Frank's hiding place during the Holocaust,” adds Kahn, “where they will be able to personally interact with the space, tactile lessons and other people in real time."

About The Anne Frank Project
The mission of The Anne Frank Project is to encourage communities to utilize the words and wisdom of Anne Frank as a starting point for the intense examination ofgenocide, intolerance, bigotry and racism as a means towards finding solutions towards an elevated and shared human condition. Utilizing the power of storytelling and theater as our primary vehicles for social justice and community reparation, AFP is devoted to:

• Surfacing the impact of Anne Frank’s idealsthroughout history, cultures and diversepopulations.
• Examining genocide and all forms of conflict froma variety of disciplines and perspectives.Creating new education practices in Holocaust, genocide and tolerance studies.
• Honoring the life and wisdom of the countless victims of genocide, hatred and intolerance.Activating the reality of our Shared Humanity.

About The Anne Frank Center USA
Otto Frank, Anne's father, founded the Center in 1977. The Anne Frank Center honors the life of Anne Frank and her diary by making it a living history lesson of the consequences of anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred and intolerance. The Center reaches out to young people throughout New York City and to museums and libraries across the US and Canada with her powerful story in order to educate people about current issues of religious, ethnic, and racial hatred around the world. Additionally, the Center distributes traveling exhibits throughout North America, offers permanent and current exhibits in its New York City Gallery, as well as programs, lectures, and films to students and the community. The Anne Frank Center USA is a non-sectarian, non-profit educational organization created under IRS Code 501(c) (3). For additional information about The Anne Frank Center, visit www.annefrank.com.