From Manuscript to Memory

Initially published in the Netherlands in 1947 with the title Het Achterhuis , the diary of Anne Frank holds the distinction of being the most translated Dutch book ever. With numerous adaptations in film and on stage, it has gained a prominent position in Holocaust literature, symbolising global awareness of Jewish persecution during the Second World War and becoming a universal symbol of resilience. The many translations around the globe have amplified Anne Frank's voice and have converted the diary into an international phenomenon that has deeply influenced political and social thought worldwide. This chapter describes the diary's translation transfer in Italy. It examines important aspects of the way the name of Anne Frank started to circulate in this country, explaining how the sociopolitical dynamics and editorial contexts created a successful first footprint in post-war Italy. It also provides a broader historical framework, with a cursory look at the first translations in three additional central language areas. This contribution is part of an ongoing study that examines the translations, adaptations, and transmedia versions of Anne Frank's diary and other works by Anne Frank.