Anne Frank's story is still teaching lessons.

EQUALITY and racism in modern Britain are among the themes being explored by an exhibition bringing to life the story of Anne Frank.

Schoolchildren from across South Wales and beyond have visited the touring exhibition called Anne Frank and You at the Old Library in The Hayes, Cardiff.

As well as telling the story of Anne, the young Jewish diarist who wrote of her experiences of living in hiding during World War II, the exhibition looks at some of the issues raised by her story in the context of modern times.

It explores issues still relevant to contemporary society including racism, social justice, identity, inclusion, democracy and conflict versus peace.

Retired headteacher Pat Williams, who is helping to oversee the exhibition, said: "Many of the issues that Anne Frank faced are still relevant for us today. This exhibition is not only about Anne Frank and what she went through, but also about making people realise that we all have rights and views that have to be respected."

The opening of the exhibition featured a performance by a choir comprised of pupils from Oakfield Primary School and Bryn Celyn Primary School.

Since then, young people from Cardiff schools including Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, Coleg Glan Hafren and St David's Catholic Sixth Form College have been volunteering to show visitors and school groups around the displays.

Sian Powell, a teacher at Cardiff's Kitchener Primary School, said it was an extremely valuable exhibition for young people to see.

She said: "It really brings the story of Anne Frank to life and sets it in the context of life today.

"With this exhibition we're trying to show them that the issues that affected Anne Frank are still affecting people now.

"We recently had a visit from Show Racism the Red Card and I think that's also helped them to empathise with the issues in the Anne Frank exhibition.

"It's very important that we encourage children to discuss these things because it's the only way they will be able to make informed decisions."

Reflecting on the exhibition, Kitchener Primary pupil Chinwen Ng, 11, said: "It told us all about Anne Frank and showed us how bad racism is."

Her classmate Raihan Fahim, 10, said: "It's fascinating.

We got to learn how people really felt in World War II."

Pupil MaahirahKhan, 10, added: "I think Anne Frank was very brave because she had to keep quiet all the time in the annexe she was hiding in for two-and-a-half years.

"I think I would have felt very lonely and bored if I was Anne Frank."

The exhibition is open between 10am and 5pm until this Saturday and from 10am until 4pm on Sunday. Admission is free.

CAPTION(S):

Nasra Ahmed, 10, was one of the Kitchener Road primary pupils who visited the Anne Frank and You exhibition