#NotSilent – Celebrity diary readings mark 70 years since Anne Frank’s death

Celebrities from the world of acting, comedy and politics have marked the 70th anniversary of Anne Frank’s death by producing videos of themselves reading from her famous diary, writes Justin Cohen.

Eddie Izzard, Arlene Phillips, David Miliband and Naomie Harris are among those to join the social media campaign #not silent, which will be launched by the Anne Frank Trust UK and Penguin Random House, the UK publishers of the diary, at the British Libary on Tuesday.

Instead of a one minute silence to commemorate the end of Anne’s life, Britons are urged to record a video reading of a one-minute passage from her writings and upload it to social media on or after Tuesday.

Michael Buerk, Simon Callow, Ray Quinn and other actors have already recorded readings.

Trust co-founder Gillian Walnes said: “Poignantly, we will never know the exact date Anne died, but we have chosen 14 April as schools will be in session and it’s one day before the anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen, where Anne died aged 15 of hunger and disease. We have a selection of passages suitable for a one-minute reading on our website or readers can choose one themselves, or even read something they have written about their own life and hopes.”

“Through the #notsilent campaign Anne’s voice will resonate loudly around the country and we will stand together against the challenges of prejudice, discrimination and injustices that are still experienced today”.

Walnes has stepped down from being the Trust’s executive director after 25 years – Robert Posner will become its new chief executive – but will continue as vice president. Chairman Daniel Mendoza paid tribute to her “extraordinary endeavours”, adding: “Gillian and Robert will help the Trust go from strength to strength.”

#notsilent

https://www.annefrank.org.uk/what-we-do/notsilent

10 recordings below – More will be added.

David Miliband audio recording:

Naomie Harris

#notsilent Naomie Harris reads from the Anne Frank Diary from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

Naomie Harris reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.

Russell Tovey

#notsilent Russell Tovey reads from the Anne Frank Diary from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

Russell Tovey reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.

Malorie Blackman

#notsilent Malorie Blackman reads from the Anne Frank Diary from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

Malorie Blackman reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.

Ceallach Spellman

#notsilent Ceallach Spellman reads from the Anne Frank Diary from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

Ceallach Spellman reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.

Jacqueline Wilson

#notsilent Jacqueline Wilson reads from the Anne Frank Diary from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

Jacqueline Wilson reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.

Roger McGough

#notsilent Roger McGough reads from the Anne Frank Diary from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

Roger McGough reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.

India Knight

#notsilent India Knight Reading from the Anne Frank Diary from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

India Knight reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.

Cathy Cassidy

Roisin Wood (Kick It Out Director)

#notsilent Kick It Out’s Roisin Wood reads from the Anne Frank Diary from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

Kick It Out’s reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.

Arlene Phillips

#notsilent Arlene Phillips reads from the Anne Frank Diary [1] from Anne Frank Trust on Vimeo.

Arlene Phillips reads an extract from Anne Frank’s Diary as part of the Anne Frank Trust’s #notsilent campaign (April 2015), instead of a one minute’s silence to commemorate 70 years since the end of Anne Frank’s short life.