Ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day (this Saturday 27 January), Mayor Dan Norris planted a chestnut tree - which featured regularly in the murdered schoolgirl’s diary that became a worldwide best-seller after her death in a concentration camp in 1945, aged just 15 - at the new Mayoral Combined Authority-funded woodland.
The Mayor planted the tree today (Wednesday 24 January) on Tu Bishvat, the Jewish new year for trees, and just ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day which is this weekend.
Anne wrote about the original tree in her world-famous diary in May 1944, saying: "Our Chestnut tree is in full bloom. It's covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than ever."
Mayor Norris, who put the chestnut sapling in the ground along with volunteers busy planting another 16,000 trees at the new woodland near Pensford, said: "On Holocaust Memorial Day, we commemorate all the victims of the Holocaust, including the 1.5 million Jewish children, like Anne, who perished.
“As this tree grows, I hope it serves as a reminder to future generations about the Holocaust.
"This tree reaffirms our unwavering commitment to counter antisemitism, racism, and other forms of intolerance.
"It is a symbol of unity and hope; remembering the past, but also looking forward to the future, and pledging to make our world a better and safer place.”
The tree can be found at "Block 3" of Great Avon Wood which is just off Parsonage Lane
Holocaust Memorial Day is held on 27 January each year. The commemoration is co-ordinated nationally by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and this year’s theme is ‘Fragility of Freedom’.
