This little park is named after Anne Frank, whose diary inspired millions. But there’s more here: next door is the Lex and Edo Hornemannplantsoen, and together these places honor Eindhoven’s Jewish community. Like Anne, the Hornemann brothers suffered during World War II simply for being themselves.
Right before you is the Anne Frank monument, made in 1990 from gleaming Vanga granite and bronze. The artist, Theo van Brunschot, wanted to remind us of the stories we must never forget. See the bronze plaque with Anne’s face? It honors the 304 Jewish men, women, and children of Eindhoven who were persecuted and killed in the war years. There’s even a small bowl on the pillar, where you can place a stone, a nod to the Jewish way of remembering the lost.
History isn’t always pretty. In 2003, the park became infamous for all the wrong reasons, linked to a national scandal. But today, as the sunlight filters through the trees, this space calls for reflection, hope, and maybe - just maybe - a better future. And hey, I promise there’s nothing spooky hiding behind the bushes, except for maybe a sneaky squirrel or two. Congratulations on making it to the end of the tour!
