For children living in Bristol today, the final years of Anne Frank's life are unlike anything they have experienced.

For more than two years during the Second World War, she and her family hid in a secret annexe in a house in Amsterdam before being betrayed to the Nazis in 1944. Seven months after her arrest, 15-year-old Anne died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany.

But yesterday a group of 30 children – about the same age Anne would have been when she went into hiding – discovered they could relate to some of her concerns.

After her death, Anne's surviving father Otto discovered the diary she had kept when they were in hiding, and his efforts led to it being published.

In her diary, she wrote about racial hatred, war and the value of democracy, and the exhibition aims to explore all of these themes.

Anne Frank (+ You) looks at Anne's life and the history surrounding her experiences, but also how the issues she wrote about have relevance today.

Project co-ordinator Valerie Russell Emmott, who lives in Bishopston, said that 250 people had visited the exhibition on Monday when it opened.

She said: "We see the exhibition as a catalyst for learning – it is just the beginning for more discussion, and hopefully, action.

"It is relevant for many issues we face in the world today, including refugees and racism. In Bristol we have problems with racial equality, and that is something which this exhibition can help to address.

"These issues are always there, but are not talked about often enough.

"It gives people the opportunity to look at them in detail, reflect, and then to go from being a bystander to being someone who takes action.

"Anne Frank was just one girl, who wrote a diary – but look what an impact she has made in the world. Everyone can make a difference.

"The exhibition is exciting, engaging and interactive – we want to make it accessible to young people."

Year seven pupils, aged 11 and 12, from Cotham School, were the first school to have a look around. The exhibition, at Bristol Cathedral, starts and finishes in the Eastern Lady Chapel, usually used for services, small concerts and lectures.

It is split into two sections – one about the history of the Second World War and Anne Frank, and one about how these connect to the present day.

The first half, in the Chapter House, includes a life- size replica of Anne's bedroom in the secret annexe in Amsterdam, and a chronology of the events leading up to and during the war.

The bedroom is lined with photos of what her walls looked like, and her first diary is also on display. There are recordings of readings from her diary playing in the room. There is also a small suitcase and a list of belongings Anne took into hiding.

Anne took a diary, school books, old letters, curlers, a comb, handkerchief and pictures. Visitors are encouraged to think about what they would take in their suitcase and fill them out on a piece of paper shaped like a suitcase.

Aidan Kee , 11, wrote that he would take: "My camera, clothes, bed clothes, speech, health, football, shades, football boots, sight and senses."

Abi Hall, 12, wrote: "Clothes, happiness, smiles, memories, photo album, notebook and a diary."

As they leave the Chapter House, visitors pass a sculpture called the Hope Tree, and they are invited to write down their own hopes onto leaf- shaped pieces of card. The tree is a replica of the chestnut tree Anne could see from her window.

Owen Adamson, 12, wrote on his leaf: "I want peace, for all weapons to be destroyed and to be a penguinologist when I grow up."

Phoebe Wightwick, 11, wrote: "I hope that everyone will love each other and be friends."

The second part of the exhibition, the '+You' part, includes five brightly coloured panels in the long South Choir Aisle, with video screens embedded in each one. Each panel is about a different concern of Anne's – conflict and peace, racial hatred, indifference and responsibility, inclusion and exclusion and democracy. They feature a quote from her diary, as well as images and videos showing how her concerns are reflected in our world.

Daniel Northcott, 11, said he thought the panel about racism was particularly good.

He said: " Some of the problems she spoke about are still around. It was good to see how footballers are affected by racism."

The students' English teacher, Rachel Yates, said: "It has been great. I think it has shocked them, but in the right way – they are not too upset."

To support the exhibition, libraries across Bristol are doing reading promotions of Anne Frank's diary, and there are copies in every branch.

The exhibition is open on weekdays and Saturdays from 9.30am. Last admission is at 4pm and it closes at 5pm. It is open on Sunday from 12pm until 3pm. However, Valerie recommends checking the website (www.annefrankbristol.org.uk) to make sure the exhibition is open on the day you plan to visit.