Anne Frank remembered

Anne Frank

In the light of the alarming European election results of two British National Party MEPs, the Anne Frank Trust UK has issued a plea not to forget what would have been Anne Frank's 80th birthday this Friday, 12 June.

Anne Frank Trust Co-Founder and Executive Director Gillian Walnes said: " When Anne Frank was born in June 1929, the idea that a small group of Adolf Hitler's followers could eventually take power and rule Europe was ridiculed. In these current times of disaffection with the political system and economic instability, the memory and knowledge of Anne's short life and terrible death should always remain with us as a powerful warning from history."

Ms Walnes called for teachers and community leaders around the UK to participate in commemorative assemblies, classroom activities and tree plantings throughout this year to mark this significant anniversary of Anne's birth. "We know that by focusing on the story of one teenager whose fears, concerns and hopes for the future are the same as theirs, young people can get a greater understanding of the value of human rights and a compassionate society."

Holocaust victim Anne Frank died of hunger and typhus in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945. Her diary, written while in hiding from the Nazis for over two years, became one of the world's most read books and a symbol of suffering under persecution. In July 1944 she writes (just three weeks before her arrest): "I feel the suffering of millions...in the meantime I must hold on to my ideals. Perhaps the day will come when I'll be able to realise them".

Specially created activities are downloadable from www.annefrank.org.uk/80

The Anne Frank Awards 2009 for young people and educators who have made a positive difference to the lives of others will be presented at the House of Commons on Thursday 11 June at 4pm.