Anne Frank remains namesake for daycare center in Tangerhütte
A possible name change for the "Anne Frank" daycare center in Tangerhütte (Saxony-Anhalt) is off the table after worldwide outrage. The mayor of the unified municipality of Tangerhütte, Andreas Brohm (non-party), confirmed to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur that the discussion had been ended by the daycare center's board of trustees. The daycare center and the board of trustees were in the middle of the discussion anyway. Last week, the city council had also spoken out against renaming the "Anne Frank" daycare center to "Weltentdecker".
What was the issue?
According to the mayor of Tangerhütte, Andreas Brohm, a new concept for the "Anne Frank" daycare center has been under development over the past 14 months. As early as the beginning of 2023, consideration was also given to making this fundamental concept change visible with a different name. However, there were no concrete plans or decisions on the name. Nevertheless, last week, the city council's parliamentary groups issued a joint statement opposing the plans: "The assertion by the daycare center management that the name Anne Frank would be unsuitable and difficult to communicate to children is more evidence of those responsible being oblivious to history," the statement read. The name "Weltentdecker" had been under discussion, as the "Magdeburger Volksstimme" reported on November 6.
What were the reactions?
Newspapers around the world reported on the case from Tangerhütte, including the "New York Times", "Jerusalem Post", "Times of Israel" and "Le Figaro" from France. The International Auschwitz Committee sharply criticized the plans and called them "foolish". The chairman of the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial in Jerusalem wrote in a letter to the city that the plans sent an "alarming signal to the citizens in your region". Saxony-Anhalt's Minister President Reiner Haseloff (CDU) assessed the plans as a "completely wrong signal". Some publications and posts on social networks also spread the rumor that the renaming was due to pressure from parents with a migration background.
Who was Anne Frank?
Anne Frank was born to Jewish parents in Frankfurt am Main in 1929. Her family fled from the Nazis to the Netherlands in 1933. She hid there in a Secret Annex from 1942 to 1944. During this time, Anne Frank wrote a diary that is now one of the most widely read works of world literature. She died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945 at the age of 15.
Have there already been similar cases?
There had already been a similar case around two years ago: After a public outcry, the "Anne Frank" daycare center in Elxleben, Thuringia, was not renamed. Among other things, protests from the Jewish community were the decisive factor.
Is this the end of the story?
Even if the renaming is off the table, the issue will have to be discussed further within the town, said the chairman of the Tangerhütte town council, Werner Jacob (CDU), when asked. Last week, several town councillors had already called on the non-party mayor to resign. "Morally, he has failed completely and that will have consequences," said Jacob. With his statements, the mayor had put the city in a bad light internationally. He was particularly touched by the reaction from Yad Vashem, said Jacob. He will write a response on behalf of the city council.
The proposed renaming of the "Anne Frank" daycare center to "Weltentdecker" sparked widespread criticism, with numerous municipalities and international organizations expressing their concern about anti-Semitic undertones. The annals of municipalities should reflect an inclusive history, and Kindergartens serve as vital platforms for fostering understanding and respect among young learners.
Source: www.dpa.com
