Obj. ID: 52326
Memorials Anne Frank Memorial in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2005
Name of Monument
Anne Frank Memorial (Monumento a Ana Frank)
Who/What is Commemorated?
Anne Frank
Description
The bronze smaller-than-life-size statue of Ann Frank is a replica of a statue installed at Merwedeplein Amsterdam, near Anne Frank's house, in 2005. Based on pictures posted on Google Maps, the Buenos Aires statue and base were originally set on a grassy lawn slightly to the southwest, with the red granite base directly set on the ground. By 2024, the monument has been relocated nearby. The base is now set into a larger concrete planter surmounted by a low metal fence, and the monument is set against a low curved red concrete wall with the name of the plaza.
The statue is set on a high red granite rectangular base and depicts Anne Frank wearing all the clothes she describes in her diary. The Franks wore as many clothes as possible during their escape to their hiding place, as they could not risk being seen carrying suitcases. Anne looks back toward her home.
Anne wrote: "I was wearing two vests, three pairs of pants, a dress and over that a skirt, a jacket, a raincoat, two pair of stockings, heavy shoes, a cap, a scarf and lots more, I was suffocating even before we left the house, but no one bothered to ask me how I felt...." (translation from Jewish Amsterdam, p. 234).
Inscriptions
On the base:
Ana Frank
1929-1945
Two plaques with Spanish inscriptions on the wall, behind the monument:
Plaque 1 with names of architects and construction companies:
Proyecto y Direccion
Arq. Mabel A. Cova
Arq. Jorge Bancalari
Construccion
Argensem S A.
Paisajista
Martin Aizaga
Tineke Willemse - Steen
Plaque 2 with names of donors:
LA PLAZA REINA DE HOLANDA
HA SIDO REALIZADA GRACIAS
A LAS SIGUIENTES EMPRESAS:
[list of names]
Translation: Queen of Golland Square// It was done thanks to the following companies:
Commissioned by
Anne Frank House of Argentina
Embassy of the Netherlands Dutch in Argentina
A bill approving the monument was passed by the Buenos Aires Legislature and the project was carried out with the Argentinian Ministry of Education
sub-set tree: 
| Plaza Reina de Holanda 799, Olga Cossettini 747, Buenos Aires
Red granite (base)
Bronze (statue)
Granite base 50 x 50 x 147 h.
The monument is presently placed as the centerpiece of a small, paved area designated as Plaza Reina de Holanda, created in 2004, as part of the Olga Cossettina, a long promenade beside the waterfront of the Rio Dique at Puerte Madero, near the pedestrian Puente de la Mujer which opened in 2001. This old industrial and shipping area has been redeveloped in the first decades of the 21 st century for offices and tourism. Based on pictures posted on Google Maps, the statue and base were originally set on a grassy lawn, slightly south of the present location, and more visible from the bridge with the red granite base directly set on the ground. By 2024, the monument has been relocated nearby. The base is now set into a larger concrete planter, and the monument is set against a low wall with the name of the plaza.
According to the City of Buenos Aires website, “The Dutch Embassy in Argentina and the Argentinian Ministry of Education donated the Anne Frank statue to Buenos Aires. It was dedicated on December 9th, 2014, the 66th International Human Rights Day, by representatives of the Buenos Aires City Government, the Dutch Embassy in Buenos Aires, the Anne Frank House and Museum of Buenos Aires, and many local Dutch and Jewish community members (the largest community in South America).”
The bronze statue is a replica of the Anne Frank statue at the Merwedeplein square in Amsterdam, sculpted by Dutch artist Jet Schepp in 2005. Anne is depicted wearing her traveling clothes and carrying the two small bags she took with her when entering the annex.
Theft, Recovery, and Restotration:
In March 2022, the statue was stolen, probably for its metals and not antisemitism. It was found a few days late, and the restored during which time the missing legs were built, a new, more solid base was made, the parts that were deteriorated were reinforced, a manual cleaning was done and the entire structure was covered with a patina to protect it from the elements.
The video surveillance cameras of the Ministry of Justice and Security helped locate it in the area and after being recovered it was moved to the Monuments and Works of Art (MOA) workshops of the City, where it underwent a restoration process to return to place it in its original place.
“The City is an open-air museum and this monument is part of the heritage we have in public space. It is also a symbol of the friendship between Argentina and Holland, of everything that unites and identifies us. After a few months of work and effort, we are returning to locate the statue of Anne Frank where it should never have gone,” said Clara Muzzio, Minister of Public Space and Urban Hygiene.
"Estatua de Ana Frank en CABA, La Nación, 12 de diciembre del 2014, Museo del holocaasuto Buenos Aires , https://museodelholocausto.org.ar/prensa/estatua-de-ana-frank-en-bs-as/ (accessed March 11, 2024)
"La Ciudad restauró y volvió a instalar la estatua de Ana Frank en Puerto Madero," Buenos Aires Ciudad, Oct. 28, 2022, https://buenosaires.gob.ar/espaciopublicoehigieneurbana/noticias/la-ciudad-restauro-y-volvio-instalar-la-estatura-de-ana-frank (accessed March 11, 2024)
"Monumento a Ana Frank en Buenos Aires, Argentina," Wander Women Project, https://wanderwomenproject.com/es/lugares/monumento-a-ana-frank-en-buenos-aires-argentina/ (accessed March 11, 2024)
"They restored and replaced the statue of Anne Frank that had been stolen in a plaza in Puerto Madero," Infobae, https://www.infobae.com/sociedad/2022/10/27/restauraron-y-volvieron-a-colocar-en-una-plaza-de-puerto-madero-la-estatua-de-anna-frank-que-habia-sido-robada/ (accessed March 11, 2024)