Deutsche Bahn’s intention of inviting its customers to submit suggestions for naming the latest generation of ICE trains was well meant. More than 19,000 suggestions were received, from which a jury selected “Anne Frank”, among others, as a suitable name.
The idea of a train bearing that name rolling through German railway stations was unsettling for some, and the WerteInitiative was asked to become involved. “Is a German train called Anne Frank supposed to travel to Poland as well?” was how the concern was summed up.
In a very pleasant and constructive conversation between Deutsche Bahn’s head of communications and the WerteInitiative, it quickly became clear that Deutsche Bahn’s intention had been precisely to live up to its historical responsibility as a “transport company into annihilation”. As a result, this was set out in a press release in which the railway company explained the background to and the intentions behind the choice of name and announced that it would now consider how to proceed. The WerteInitiative, among others, will be involved in this internal discussion, and we are glad to advise!
The press release:
“Statement by Deutsche Bahn on the criticism of the name “Anne Frank” chosen for an ICE 4 train
In response to current accusations that naming an ICE 4 train “Anne Frank” is disrespectful, Deutsche Bahn states:
(Berlin, 30 October 2017) There is no intention whatsoever to damage the memory of Anne Frank. On the contrary, aware of its historical responsibility, DB decided to keep the memory of Anne Frank alive. If DB has hurt anyone’s feelings in doing so, it is very sorry. All members of the jury agreed that Anne Frank should be honoured as an exceptional personality. The suggestions for the ICE 4 names came from DB customers and committed members of the public. The name Anne Frank was among the top suggestions out of a total of around 19,400 submissions. DB will of course take the concerns currently being voiced in public seriously and address them in its subsequent internal discussions. Jewish organisations have pledged to support it in an advisory capacity.
Since its foundation, DB has engaged critically with the history of its predecessor organisations. This is reflected, for example, in its examination of the employment of forced labourers and in the publicly accessible “Gleis 17” memorial at the Berlin-Grunewald S-Bahn station, where commemorative events are held regularly. At the DB Museum in Nürnberg, a permanent exhibition of its own is devoted to the role of the Reichsbahn under National Socialism.”
