The commemorative event is supported by the Partnership for Democracy in the Birkenfeld National Park District and funded by the Federal Ministry for Families, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth as part of the federal program "Live Democracy!". Admission is free.
Since 2005, the city and Schalom e. V. have jointly organized a commemorative event on January 27. This time, the focus will be on the stage program "Anne's Struggle - Anne Frank vs. Adolf Hitler" with Marianne Blum and Thomas Linke. After welcoming speeches by Lord Mayor Frank Frühauf and Schalom Chairman Axel Redmer, cabaret artist and singer Marianne Blum and actor Thomas Linke will contrast Anne Frank's diary and Hitler's "Mein Kampf" in their program.
The two artists approach the books with respect and sensitivity and present them so skillfully and grippingly that the historical reality comes alive for the audience and at the same time the connection to the present becomes frighteningly obvious. The presentation is not only educational, but also entertaining. Just as Anne Frank's text is not only sad, but also passionate and humorous, and Hitler's work is not only frightening, but at times almost unintentionally funny.
The reading is musically complemented by authentic Yiddish songs - some of which were written in the ghetto or in the labor camp - German pop songs, popular songs and songs of perseverance from this period. The songs are sung live by Marianne Blum, who not only lends the play the authentic sound of the time, but also brings the entirety of the persecuted onto the stage in an impressive way, of which Anne Frank is a prominent example. The stage program lasts around 90 minutes with an interval, after which there will be an opportunity for discussion and a Q&A session with the actors.