Anne Frank's Diary: The Making of an Urtext of the Holocaust

Historian Raphael Gross, Director of the German Historical Museum and co-editor of a new critical edition of Anne Frank’s diary, discusses the making and reception of a unique document in literary history. Neither a true diary that chronologically records the daily life and thoughts of its author, nor a work of fiction, the Diary of a Young Girl is an unfinished manuscript. Adapted from diary entries in multiple stages by the young author herself – and posthumously by her father – it made Anne Frank into perhaps the most famous German- Jewish writer of the 20th century. Today, it is an unparalleled urtext of the Holocaust.Against this background, the lecture will focus on the worldwide reception of the diary over almost eight decades. How was the edition of the text authorized by Otto Frank received in countries as diverse as Holland, Israel, the USA, Japan, Hungary, Spain, and the GDR? Which aspects of her notes were included? Which faded into the background? And what did the icon “Anne Frank” stand for in all these contexts?

This event will take place in person at the Center for Jewish History and will be followed by a small reception. If you are not able to attend, the panel will be recorded and uploaded to LBI's YouTube channel.

Host or Publisher Leo Baeck Institute and Widen the Circle