Children honour legacy of Anne Frank on her birthday, 80 years after her death

On Thursday 12th June, young people gathered at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, to remember Anne Frank, the famous wartime diarist. The event took place 80 years after Anne’s death in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, on what would have been her 96th birthday.

Children from Home Ed-Venturers, an events group offering educational activities for home educated children and their families, participated in a learning activity day, creating art and poetry honouring Anne and her impact on the world.

The children led the annual blossom cutting ceremony in the Garden of the Innocents. Every year, the blossom is removed from the central Elder tree planted in Anne Frank’s memory to ensure that it never bears fruit, just as Anne was prevented from reaching maturity.

The Garden of the Innocents at the National Memorial Arboretum is a memorial to all children who are victims of war and terrorism. There are many symbolic elements in its design; white flowers represent the innocence of children, while the raised beds are shaped like jigsaw pieces that do not fit together, reflective of the confusion and bewilderment children suffer through war and violence.

“Every year we welcome tens of thousands of young people to the Arboretum, helping us to pass the baton of Remembrance to the next generation,” said Rachel Smith, Head of Learning and Participation. “The story of Anne Frank is just one of thousands of inspirational tales encapsulated within our more than 420 memorials. While thankfully most of the young people visiting the Arboretum have not endured the horrors of living in a war zone, many of them naturally feel a special connection to Anne Frank and the other children whose lives were tragically cut short and are commemorated in the Garden of the Innocents.”

Refurbishment of the Garden of the Innocents is the primary objective of a £150,000 fundraising appeal launched by the National Memorial Arboretum earlier this year. The Arboretum is seeking in-kind and financial donations, to improve children’s facilities at the 150-acre estate which welcomes over 20,000 young people for learning visits each year.

In addition to the restoration of the Garden of the Innocents, the campaign is also intended to support the reimagining of the Arboretum’s two play areas, allowing for the incorporation of greater theming and storytelling aimed at younger visitors.

“The Garden of the Innocents is one of our oldest memorials, and we now need support from businesses and the wider public to fund its refurbishment,” continued Rachel. “Donations to our fundraising campaign will allow us to renew the garden, helping preserve the stories within, alongside supporting the upgrade of other children’s facilities that encourage families and learning groups to visit.”

To learn more about the appeal and how to provide support, click here.