«When I write I can shake off all my cares. My sorrow disappears, my spirits are revived! But, and that’s a big question, will I ever be able to write something great, will I ever become a journalist or a writer?”»
Diary
5 April 1944
The Diary of Anne Frank is one of the most famous documents of the 20th century. When Anne’s father Otto Frank offered it to various publishing houses, they rejected it at first. Publishers doubted that the chronicle of a young girl would interest a wide public. How wrong they were! The diary has been translated into more than 70 languages so far.
The Diary was first published in June 1947. Since then, it has become part of world literature and one of the most significant publications about the Shoah.
«Really, it’s not easy being the badly brought-up center of attention of a family of nitpickers»
Diary
28 November 1942
Anne Frank was 13 years old when she had to go into hiding with her family to escape from the National Socialists. She lived in a secret annex for 25 months with her family and other acquaintances. She recorded her experiences, observations and feelings in her diary.
Who was Anne Frank? Where did she come from? What did she experience before she was killed in spring 1945?
«Daddy’s a sweetheart; he may get cross with me, but it never lasts longer than five minutes.»
Diary
21 August 1942
Anne Frank called her father «Pim». During the time in the secret annex, he was the calm pole among the eight people in hiding. He was the only one of the eight to survive the Auschwitz concentration camp. After his return, he dedicated his life to publishing and disseminating his daughter’s diary.
The world of books is subject to constant change. In 2017, the film-maker Ari Folman and illustrator David Polonsky published the diary as a Graphic Diary in cooperation with the Anne Frank Fonds Basel. This award-winning book has in the meantime been published in more than twenty languages.
Otto Frank was committed to a cosmopolitan society showing solidarity, without prejudice or marginalisation. In 1963 he established the Anne Frank Fonds in Basel. He designated the foundation as his sole heir and legal successor.
Who does Anne Frank belong to?
Did Otto Frank establish other foundations?
Does the Anne Frank Fonds protect copyrights for financial considerations?
What does the Anne Frank Fonds support? What is important to the Anne Frank Fonds when allocating funds?