Two Sides To Her Story: Anne Frank and You at Z-Arts, Manchester

Neil Harrison delves into the world of Anne Frank and discovers why her story is still relevant today

WHEN, IN 1942, OTTO AND EDITH FRANK gave their daughter Anne a diary for her 13^th birthday, they could not have realised that they were also giving a gift of immeasurable value to the entire world. Now a Manchester exhibition is passing on that gift to the public and to a new generation of school children from the region. 

Anne Frank and You,at Z-Arts in Hulme, is both a moving account of Anne Frank’s tragically short life and a powerful lesson in the strength of hope and innocence in the face of hatred and discrimination.

The exhibition begins with Anne Frank’s birth in Frankfurt, 1929, and charts her family’s move to the Netherlands in 1933 in order to escape what her Father Otto described as, ‘hordes of nationalistic, cruel, anti-Semitic criminals’.

The Frank’s fears were realised in May 1940, when the German army invaded the Netherlands. Rather than risk them being deported, Otto, with the selfless aid of his employees, who risked their own safety to help, took the decision to hide his children in his business premises in Amsterdam. It was here, in a concealed room in the attic, where Anne Frank would spend the next two years.

A full-size replica of Anne Frank’s hidden bedroom

Amid the historiographical section of the exhibition sits a life-size replica of Anne’s bedroom. This room in the secret annexe where she wrote the diary that ‘became a real friend for her, and a way of expressing her innermost thoughts’, would serve as her sanctuary, but also her prison.

Today, however, the room and the whole exhibition are filled with the smiles and exuberant chatter of children from Moss Park Junior School in Stretford. There can be no better measure of the worth of Anne Frank’s enduring message than new generations eagerly learning about, and interacting with, the lessons of it through the activities provided for them here – there is a blank diary in which the children are invited to ‘denounce an injustice, condemn an act of discrimination or speak up against abuse’ and, like Anne, share their ‘own dreams, ideals and hopes for the future’.

Leading the children through the displays and orchestrating the activities is Marian McQueen of The Anne Frank Trust, assisted by volunteer ambassadors from St. James C of E High School in Bolton. Marian is clearly passionate about her work and she explains why the continued telling of Anne Frank’s story is so important.

The Anne Frank Trust’s Marian McQueen
helps to get the exhibition’s message across. 

“All the key themes of Anne’s story are still in evidence today. The purpose of the exhibition, of bringing children to learn about it, is to make them aware that prejudice and discrimination are still around but they have the opportunity to stand up to it".

In fact, the second part of Anne Frank and You does exactly that. Whilst still immersed in the context of the hidden annexe (the fear of the Gestapo and the holocaust), the exhibition takes an inspiring turn. Suddenly we are right up-to-date: contemporary issues are observed through the lens of history. These issues bear an important relevance to the children in attendance. They range from the story of footballer Mario Balotelli, who has often suffered racist abuse from the terraces, to Malala Yousafzai, the 15 year old Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head and neck by the Taliban last year, after daring to speak out about equal rights to education for women. Malala herself has been described as, ‘the Pakistani Anne Frank.’

Children from Moss Park Junior School, 

Stretford, examine the displays.

There are stories here of the evils of prejudice: the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and the horrors of the Bosnian Conflict. There are also inspiring stories of courage and of those people who take a stand against violence and injustice: Liberian peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Leymah Gbowee,and Alexander Rose, founder of the STOP campaign against youth violence. All of these examples - and more - are used to bring Anne Frank’s voice into the 21st Century. As Marian emphasises: “Anne’s story did not die with her. It continues to challenge preconceived notions of the nature of prejudice.”

This dynamic and intelligent exhibition succeeds in its mission to bring Anne Frank’s message into the modern world. Extracts from her diary are dotted around the room. In spite of the (sometimes difficult) nature of the subject matter presented, her words remain a constant reminder of the endurance of human spirit and of the power of innocence over prejudice, discrimination and intolerance.

‘How wonderful it is that no-one need wait, but can start right now to gradually change the world. How wonderful it is that everyone, great and small, can immediately help bring about justice by giving of themselves’. -Anne Frank

Anne Frank and Youis on at Z-Arts until Saturday 23^rd March. For more information visit www.annefrank.org.uk/manchester

Neil Harrison is studying Social History at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is an aspiring journalist and a terrible guitar player. Read his blog LooseRiver and follow him on Twitter @looseriver

It was All Write on Saturday Night!

Words by Claudia Conerney and Amillah Javed

On Saturday 8th December hundreds of children and their families descended on Manchester, many travelling from far afield as Aberdeen and Worcester. However, it wasn't just the lure of the X-Factor final that drew them to the city, but the annual All Writecelebration event, that took place at the Z-arts centre in Hulme.

All Write is a creative writing competition that provides budding writers, aged between 9 and 12, with the opportunity to produce original and imaginative stories, the best of which are selected for publication in an anthology.  All Write has been publishing poems and stories by more than 600 young writers since 2005. 

Kay Tew, the competition’s organiser and director of the Manchester Children’s Book Festival, is really excited by this year’s collection, “there is a huge amount of young talent out there and the standard of competition entries just seems to get better and better each year.”

There was standing room only in the Z-arts’ studio as everyone squeezed in to hear Iris Feindt, Noel Fagan, Emily Birch and Helen Sea (graduates from the Manchester Writing School and authors of the very successful Animal Stew) announced this year’s winners. Judging by the many smiles that beamed around the room, it was clear that the children were delighted to have published authors celebrate their achievements.

Lydia Edwards

One winner was Lydia Edwards from the Royal Grammar School in Worcester, who received tremendous praise for her story The Journey. As she collected her award and her copy of the anthology, Lydia told us: “my story was inspired by a visit to my grandmother, who lives in Devon. It was a very long car journey because we got stuck in a horrendous traffic jam, but I decided to occupy the time by observing what was happening outside the window. I’m really grateful to that traffic jam because here I am, a year later, a published writer and a first prize-winner.” 

Safia Adia with big brother Yussuf

Yussuf Adia, from Ladybridge High School in Bolton won for his story, My Community, about a strange dystopian society where dogs play chess and babies have abnormal intelligence. Yussuf  “my favourite part has been winning. I wrote about things that I enjoy such as chess and dinosaurs.” Yusuf’s 7-year-old sister, Safia, looked on proudly as her big brother collected his award from the Manchester Writing School’s Iris Feindt. Not to be outshone, she informed us that she too will be entering in the future and plans to write about nature. 

Aoife Ronan from All Hallow’s Catholic High School in Macclesfield won with her poem, Dia Duitch, a celebration of the Gaelic language and culture. Aoife read her poem aloud to the audience, who responded with a thunderous applause.  

Klaudia Kawa

Another winner was Klaudia Kawa from St Peter’s High School in Gorton whose impressive poems, Nightfall and Leaves, evoke the work of Ezra Pound. She told us that it was “an honour to have my work published in the anthology, let alone to actually win. The competition has given me a lot of confidence and has inspired me to keep writing”. Klaudia’s English Teacher, Suzy Boardman, was very proud of her pupil; “I would like to congratulate all the winners but especially the twelve entrants from St. Peter's RC High School and our winner Klaudia. Well done!”  

Annabel Malkin

The 2012 All Write anthology features 40 of the best poems and stories from this year’s entrants. Among them is Annabel Malkin’s highly imaginative poem, Ten Things that a Mum would Never Say, which was inspired by a literacy lesson in school. Her poem provides an amusing and alternative take on parental discipline that will no doubt appeal to any child who wishes to get away with just about anything! Annabel from Queensgate Primary School in Bramhall was brimming with excitement, “I’ve really enjoyed today, it’s been absolutely great and I am so glad that I entered.” 

Mortan Fawns Williams

Mortan Fawns Williams, from Longdendale Community Language College in Hyde, who wrote a quirky and surreal story about rubber ducks taking over Manchester, was also delighted to have his story published and to discover that it was among first prize-winner, Lydia Edwards’, favourites.  “I really enjoyed writing my story because it allowed me to be imaginative,” he  said excitedly.

As the ceremony drew to a close, many children were already signing copies of their anthologies for friends and family, while others discussed their entries for next year. The 2012 All Write anthology is on sale now, priced at £5. You can purchase a copy from Amazon here.

Each of the winners receive an author visit to their school as well as the family tickets to Pinnochio, the Z-arts Christmas show. 

It certainly was a fabulous afternoon at the Z-arts, despite the rain and the cold, but it isn't over yet. We’re all off now to explore the Z-arts Mysteryland exhibition, a creative attempt to construct an adventure playground of the imagination for children and families. The exhibition is free and open to the public until Saturday 22^ndDecember and visitors are also encouraged to bring along children’s books for the Christmas book exchange. 

For further details please visit http://www.z-arts.org/events/mystery-land/

For further details about the 2013 All WriteCompetition for 9-12 year olds, please visit the website http://www.mcbf.org.uk