'Weerklank' (Resonance) - Otto Frank and reactions to the diary

Otto Frank spent a lot of time - often together with his second wife Fritzi - on his correspondence: 'It is part of my daily work to answer to letters from different countries of people who were moved by the Diary.' ^[1]

Otto Frank called the reactions evoked by the diary 'Weerklank' - Resonance:

'Gradually, the diary was published in many countries. Everywhere it made a deep impression on readers. And when the diary was also made into a play and later a film, Anne became a symbol all over the world for all those who were or still are subjected to persecution innocently because of their race or religion. The diary's resonance proved to come from many directions. I received countless letters from all over the world, mainly from young people. Artists were inspired. Some made sculptures, others painted portraits of Anne. Requiems and pieces of music dedicated to her were composed and many, many poems were written in her memory. Many schools and institutions bear her name.' ^[2]

Weerklank van Anne Frank is the title of a book that collects that wide range of responses to the Diary of Anne Frank. Anneke Steenmeyer edited the book on behalf of and in close cooperation with Otto Frank.^[3] The book was translated into English^[4] and Japanese.^[5]

Resonance is also the name of a sub-collection of the Anne Frank Collection owned by the Anne Frank House which consists of documents and objects inspired by Anne Frank's diary and life, going into hiding, etc. The foundation of this collection was laid by Otto Frank who saw it as his duty to answer and preserve letters and responses from all parts of the world.^[6]