What it is about

The BBC has re-released an archived interview from 1976 featuring Otto Frank, the father of Anne Frank, the renowned diary writer and Holocaust victim. In this heart-wrenching interview, Otto explains the difficult decision to publish his daughter’s diary, which has since become a seminal work in Holocaust education.

Why it matters

Anne Frank’s diary is a profound historical and educational document that has impacted millions worldwide. It serves as a powerful personal testimony of one of the darkest periods in human history and underscores the importance of Holocaust education. Otto Frank’s decision to publish the diary facilitated global awareness and remembrance.

The Story Behind the Diary

Hidden in the attic of Otto Frank’s factory in Amsterdam, Anne Frank began writing her diary at the age of 13, documenting her experiences, aspirations, and the terror of living under Nazi occupation. Her poignant entries were addressed to a fictional character named ‘Kitty.’ Anne’s dreams of becoming a writer were tragically cut short when her family was betrayed and transported to Nazi concentration camps. Otto Frank was the sole survivor.

Otto Frank’s Initial Struggle

Otto Frank faced immense emotional challenges when reading his daughter’s diary. The contents revealed the innermost thoughts of Anne, unveiling parts of her personality he had never fully known. It was a revelation and a heartache, as he acknowledged, “I only learned to know her through her diary.”

The Decision to Publish

Initially, Otto Frank intended to keep the diary private, but friends soon convinced him otherwise. Realizing its universal significance, Otto agreed to publish it. He shared with the BBC, “One of our friends employed in a publishing firm told me, ‘You have not the right to keep the diary as private property… you should publish it.’ And so I did.”

Living On Through Her Words

When asked if he ever regretted sharing such private thoughts with the world, Otto Frank replied, “Anna wrote in one of her diaries, ‘I want to go on living after my death,’ and through her diary, she is living on in many hearts.”

About the Frank Family

The Franks fled from Frankfurt to Amsterdam in 1933 to escape Nazi persecution. Otto Frank made futile attempts to secure passage to the United States for his family. From 1942 to 1944, they remained hidden in cramped quarters, hoping to avoid Nazi capture. Ultimately, they were discovered in 1944 and taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where Anne along with her sister Margot and mother Edith, perished.

The Enduring Legacy

Anne Frank’s diary remains a fundamental educational tool in Holocaust studies and continues to touch countless lives, ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust and the resilience of the human spirit are never forgotten.

This story was first published on jpost.com.