Prangins National Museum shows Anne Frank’s connection to Switzerland
Published: Thursday, Mar 21st 2024, 17:50
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The National Museum in Prangins, Vaud, is presenting the exhibition "Anne Frank and Switzerland". The exhibition, which has already been shown in Zurich and Schwyz, focuses on the little-known connections between the Frank family and Switzerland
"Anne Frank's diary is the common thread running through the exhibition," curator Nicole Staremberg told the Keystone-SDA news agency. In the diary, the girl recounted the 735 days she spent in hiding in Amsterdam to escape persecution by the Nazis. However, the people in hiding were discovered and deported in August 1944. Only Anne Frank's father, Otto Frank, survived the Auschwitz concentration camp and later moved to Basel.
The exhibition, which opens on Friday, features numerous documents and photographs as well as personal items belonging to the family. While Anne Frank's aunt and both grandmothers emigrated to Basel with their family in 1929, Otto Frank fled to Amsterdam in 1933. He was later followed by his wife and daughters. The exhibition juxtaposes the two realities of life: Basel and Amsterdam.
Projection shows the horror
In 1940, the Frank family had to go into hiding in Amsterdam. They lived in constant fear of being discovered. A projection in the exhibition recalls life in hiding and the bombing raids.
During this time, Anne Frank hears a Dutch exile minister on the radio explaining how important it is to keep personal records in order to document the suffering she has endured. "She then rewrote parts of her diary into a novel. She had the desire to become a writer or journalist," said Staremberg. The final exhibition room focuses on the worldwide success of the book, which was published after her death.
The exhibition "Anne Frank and Switzerland" runs until September 29 at Prangins Castle.
©Keystone/SDA
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