“The Diary of Anne Frank,” “bible” of peace: Director of Fukuyama’s Holocaust Education Center undeterred by vandalism
Mar. 12, 2014
Exhibition to introduce Anne Frank’s life
by Kazuhei Higashitani, Staff Writer
Amid the widespread repercussions from the vandalism of copies of “The Diary of Anne Frank” and related books in Tokyo, the Holocaust Education Center in Fukuyama in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture will open a special exhibition on March 15 to mark the 85th anniversary of Anne’s birth. The Chugoku Shimbun talked with the center’s director general, Makoto Otsuka, 65, a resident of Kyoto, about his reaction to the vandalism and the aim of the center’s exhibition.
What is your reaction to the incidents of vandalism in Tokyo?
The vandalism has been widespread. Pages in about 300 books have been torn. These acts violate the spirit of peace and make me sad. This may be an attempt to repudiate history by tearing the pages of these books, but the facts of the Holocaust remain unchanged. I will not be discouraged by these incidents and will continue to point out the importance of “The Diary of Anne Frank” as food for thought when considering peace.
I understand you received an e-mail message from Buddy Elias, Anne Frank’s cousin and chairman of the Anne Frank Foundation [headquartered in Switzerland], saying he was shocked.
I have received similar phone calls and messages from friends in the United States, Great Britain and Germany. “The Diary of Anne Frank” is beloved by people around the world as a “bible” of peace. Everyone is pained by these incidents and hoping the case will be solved as soon as possible. I told them I feel terrible that this has taken place in Japan.
What is on display in the exhibition?
There are 29 panels on Anne’s life as well as 18 other items, including a radio and wall decorations from the Frank home, which are being displayed in Japan for the first time. Through Anne’s life, I’d like visitors to get an idea of what they can do to bring about peace.
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Titled “A Future of Hope,” the exhibition on Anne Frank will continue through May 3. Admission is free. The Holocaust Education Center is closed Sunday, Monday and holidays. For more information, call: (084) 955-8001.
(Originally published March 11, 2014)
by Kazuhei Higashitani, Staff Writer
Amid the widespread repercussions from the vandalism of copies of “The Diary of Anne Frank” and related books in Tokyo, the Holocaust Education Center in Fukuyama in eastern Hiroshima Prefecture will open a special exhibition on March 15 to mark the 85th anniversary of Anne’s birth. The Chugoku Shimbun talked with the center’s director general, Makoto Otsuka, 65, a resident of Kyoto, about his reaction to the vandalism and the aim of the center’s exhibition.
What is your reaction to the incidents of vandalism in Tokyo?
The vandalism has been widespread. Pages in about 300 books have been torn. These acts violate the spirit of peace and make me sad. This may be an attempt to repudiate history by tearing the pages of these books, but the facts of the Holocaust remain unchanged. I will not be discouraged by these incidents and will continue to point out the importance of “The Diary of Anne Frank” as food for thought when considering peace.
I understand you received an e-mail message from Buddy Elias, Anne Frank’s cousin and chairman of the Anne Frank Foundation [headquartered in Switzerland], saying he was shocked.
I have received similar phone calls and messages from friends in the United States, Great Britain and Germany. “The Diary of Anne Frank” is beloved by people around the world as a “bible” of peace. Everyone is pained by these incidents and hoping the case will be solved as soon as possible. I told them I feel terrible that this has taken place in Japan.
What is on display in the exhibition?
There are 29 panels on Anne’s life as well as 18 other items, including a radio and wall decorations from the Frank home, which are being displayed in Japan for the first time. Through Anne’s life, I’d like visitors to get an idea of what they can do to bring about peace.
◇
Titled “A Future of Hope,” the exhibition on Anne Frank will continue through May 3. Admission is free. The Holocaust Education Center is closed Sunday, Monday and holidays. For more information, call: (084) 955-8001.
(Originally published March 11, 2014)
