GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Minister of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Hon. Silveria Jacobs, attended the Opening Exhibition Reading & Writing with Anne Frank on Saturday October 6th at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library.
Also in attendance was His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday, The Honorable Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams and the Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labor Cornelius De Weever.
Prior to officially opening the exhibition, the ceremony incorporated several speakers such as Danielle Jeffrey and a representative of the Anne Frank House.
The history of Jewish settlers on St. Maarten was elaborated on by both speakers. Mary Romney, daughter of Lionel Romney, gave the keynote address to the attending guest.
Lionel Romney, who was born and raised in St. Maarten, is a holocaust survivor who was imprisoned in Mauthausen concentration camp in World War II. Romney, who is an Assistant Professor at the University of Connecticut, did the research on her father's personal history. Part of the research, was presented during the keynote address, and included pictures of Mauthausen and video of her father's recounts of his experience.
The ceremony concluded with the Governor and the director of the Library Monique Alberts, untying the ribbon to the exhibition hall. The dignitaries and attending guest had the opportunity to be the first to view the exhibition while enjoying refreshments.
