Last week, Jane posted about a visit to the city center, particularly the part I know so well. One of the things she commented upon was the statue of Anne Frank that stands in the Janskerkhof. The statue was created by Pieter H. d’Hont in 1959, and put in place in 1960 as a memorial to all who were persecuted during World War II. 1960 was also the year that the Anne Frank House officially opened.
As I mentioned to Jane in her comments section, the statue is usually decorated respectfully with flowers. The statue stands next to the site of the Saturday bloemenmarkt (flower market), so there’s an easy source for the flowers. However, I think a nearby elementary school also looks after the statue. Of course, the locals are just as likely to keep an eye on it. The Dutch take the story of Anne Frank quite seriously and even the statues dedicated to her are usually treated with great respect and reverence. In 2007, Anne Frank was officially included in the Canon of Dutch History, ensuring that her story would be taught in primary and secondary schools.
