On Saturday, October 6, 2012 the Philipsburg Jubilee Library (PJL) in collaboration with the St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation is inviting the general public to the official opening of the traveling exhibition "Reading and Writing with Anne Frank" (by the Anne Frank Foundation from Amsterdam). This event will take place in the lobby of the PJL at 7:00pm. The exhibition will also include the findings of researcher Dana Sprott pertaining to the Jewish history of St Maarten.
The keynote address will be given by Mary Romney. Romney is an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut and daughter of the late Lionel Romney, a native of St. Maarten. The elder Romney was imprisoned in Mauthausen concentration camp during World War II. Daniella Jeffrey will also speak at this event along with representatives of the Anne Frank Foundation.
"Reading & Writing with Anne Frank" is specifically designed for children aged 9-15. The exhibition tells the story of Anne Frank’s life with special attention paid to her diary and the stories she wrote while hiding in the Secret Annex. The aim of the exhibition is to promote reading and writing by putting Anne Frank forward as an inspiring role model. Students and teachers on St. Maarten are currently being scheduled to visit the library to be a part of this exhibition, which will be on display from October 6 through October 30, 2012.
PJL will be also be exhibiting a museum quality bust in color based on the skull that was discovered by Dr. Haviser at the site of the Jewish Burial Ground, which was behind the Radio Shack Building on Longwall Road. The bust was done by Catyana Skory, Crime Lab of the Broward Sheriff Office.
A number of activities targeting St. Maarten’s youth aged 9 – 15 will be occurring throughout the month of October. The first of which will be held this coming Saturday, October 6 from 11:00am to 1:00 pm. There will also be a movie night every Thursday at 6pm. The culmination of the month activities will be a panel discussion among our youth, discussing tolerance on St. Maarten, on Tuesday, October 30.
PJL is committed to encouraging reading and writing among youngsters, as well making connections between them and St. Maarten’s history. The PJL is urging the St. Maarten public to support as many of the upcoming activities as possible. For additional information, please contact Morenika Arrindell, Activity Manager at the library, by calling 542-9819.