WRITERS ABROAD MAGAZINE: THE THIRD SPACE
Amsterdam's identity is tied up with that of Anne Frank's. The museum
dedicated to her life attracts over a million visitors each year. Like van Gogh
and Rembrandt she pulls in people from all over the world. Most residents of
Amsterdam walk an emotional tightrope between a sense of pride that Anne
was an Amsterdammer, and deep shame that she was snitched on, then taken
away and exterminated by fellow human beings. Collective feelings of guilt
about her short life shouldn’t stop us celebrating her courage and creativity.
Amsterdam's most recent artwork by street artist, Eduardo Kobra has captured
her unique spirit. So Anne was wrong when she predicted that no one else
would read her letters. Although she is not remembered for the reasons she
would have liked, her words have granted her immortality.
Photo by Sue Borgersen
BLUE JAY IN WINTER
28 | MAY 2017