Caterpillar Peterlee to host anti-racism exhibition
From January 2014, the acclaimed exhibition ‘Anne Frank: A History for Today” (created through a partnership between the Anne Frank Trust, Trade Unions and the Northern TUC) will be hosted by Caterpillar in Peterlee. The exhibition, which will be housed in Caterpillar’s workplace learning centre, is to be launched on 10th January 2014. The exhibition provides attendees with an insight into what life was like as Fascism swept through Europe during the Second World War.
The display, which is owned by the Anne Frank Trust, charts the rise of Fascism in Nazi Germany and the persecution of the Jewish people which forced the Frank family to flee their home in Germany and take refuge in Holland before the start of the war. It charts Anne Frank’s life including her two years in hiding with her family in Amsterdam and tragic death in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945, only weeks before it was liberated by British troops.
Beth Farhat, Northern TUC Regional Secretary said: “This moving exhibition covers a wide range of issues and challenges that are still relevant in today’s society – nearly 70 years after the end of World War Two. Staff and visitors can gain a greater understanding what we can all do to prevent the rise of prejudice and discrimination in our own communities and workplaces. The exhibition is a poignant reminder of the horrific consequences of intolerance and hatred.”
Phil Handley, Managing Director at Caterpillar, Peterlee said: “Through this exhibition Anne Frank leaves us with a lesson on the consequences of what can happen when prejudice leads to extreme discrimination. Over one million children, two million women and three million men were systematically murdered because they were considered ‘inferior’ and did not fit the vision of the 'perfect' Person. We must learn from history and not allow humanity to repeat these horrors. I hope that visitors to this exhibition are moved to reflect on their own biases."
Grahame Morris, MP for Easington said: “The Anne Frank exhibition will be an invaluable insight into what life was like when racism, hatred, and discrimination took over the political discourse. It is easy to dismiss these issues as problems of the past, but there are those who continue to seek to stir up racial hatred and discrimination within our own communities, ignoring the warnings of history. I am proud that the Anne Frank exhibition is to be held locally, and will deliver a vital message about the importance of a free and tolerant society.”
Notes to Editors:
During her time in hiding Anne kept a diary which was fortunately found by friends in the families’ hiding place shortly after their arrest by the Germans. It was returned to Otto Frank, Anne’s father, on his return to Amsterdam after the war. Of the eight people who went into hiding in the annexe, only Otto survived the concentration camps. He soon realised the significance of the diaries and they were initially published using Anne’s original title for her diaries, “The Secret Annexe”, but soon became known as “The Diary of Anne Frank”.
Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Beth Farhat T:07747636408 bfarhat@tuc.org.uk
Phil Handley T: 0191 569 2244
Simon Elliott, Chair, Race Advisory Group PCS T: 0191 222 0330
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