Letters to Anne by Luisella Bertolaso https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty What if Anne Frank were still alive and had written to us ? en-us 2022-02-24 15:33:24 UTC 2025-11-02 05:48:02 UTC hello@padlet.com Questo progetto nasce dal desiderio di far incontrare i giovani di oggi con Anna Frank : pur essendo vissuta nel passato, Anna mantiene una indiscutibile modernità e il suo pensiero sembra appartenerci oggi come non mai. luisella_bertolado42 https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2064800392 Su questa pagina raccogliamo alcune risposte confezionate in inglese dagli studenti della classe 3BL del liceo linguistico "Galileo Galilei" di Verona]]> 2022-02-24 15:43:01 UTC https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2064800392 FIRST MESSAGE luisella_bertolado42 https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2064867298 From Anne Frank’s diary :

June  1942

Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because I've never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on, neither I nor anyone else, will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Oh well, it doesn't matter. I feel like writing, and I have an even greater need to get all kinds of things off my chest.

"Paper has more patience than people." I thought of this saying on one of those days when I was feeling a little depressed and was sitting at home with my chin in my hands, bored and listless, wondering whether to stay in or go out. I finally stayed where I was, brooding . Yes, paper does have more patience, and since I'm not planning to let anyone else read this stiff-backed notebook grandly referred to as a "diary," unless I should ever find a real friend, it probably won't make a bit of difference. (…)

February  1944 

Whenever you're feeling lonely or sad, try going to the loft on a beautiful day and looking outside. Not at the houses and the rooftops, but at the sky. As long as you can look fearlessly at the sky, you'll know that you're pure within and will find happiness once more. At such moments I don't think about all the misery, but about the beauty that still remains. This is where Mother and I differ greatly. Her advice in the face of melancholy is: "Think about all the suffering in the world and be thankful you're not part of it." My advice is: "Go outside, to the country, enjoy the sun and all nature has to offer. Go outside and try to recapture the happiness within yourself; think of all the beauty in yourself and in everything around you and be happy."

]]> 2022-02-24 16:17:42 UTC https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2064867298 SECOND MESSAGE luisella_bertolado42 https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2064873591 May 1944

Dear Kitty,

The question is understandable, but up to now no one has come up with a satisfactory answer. Why is England manufacturing bigger and better airplanes and bombs and at the same time churning out new houses for reconstruction? Why are millions spent on the war each day, while not a penny is available for medical science, artists or the poor? Why do people have to starve when mountains of food are rotting away in other parts of the world? Oh, why are people so crazy?I don't believe the war is simply the work of politicians and capitalists. Oh no, the common man is every bit as guilty; otherwise, people and nations would have re- belled long ago! There's a destructive urge in people, the urge to rage, murder and kill. And until all of humanity, without exception, undergoes a metamorphosis, wars will continue to be waged, and everything that has been carefully built up,cultivated and grown will be cut down and destroyed, only to start all over again! I've often been down in the dumps, but never desperate. I look upon our life in hiding as an interesting adventure, full of danger and romance, and every privation as an amusing addition to my diary. I've made up my mind to lead a different life from other girls, and not to become an ordinary housewife later on. What I'm experiencing here is a good beginning to an interesting life, and that's the reason -- the only reason -- why I have to laugh at the humorous side of the most dangerous moments. I'm young and have many hidden qualities; I'm young and strong and living through a big adventure; I'm right in the middle of it and can't spend all day complaining because it's impossible to have any fun! I'm blessed with many things: happiness, a cheerful disposition and strength. Every day I feel myself maturing, I feel liberation drawing near, I feel the beauty of nature and the goodness of the people around me. Every day I think what a fascinating and amusing adventure this is! With all that, why should I despair?

]]> 2022-02-24 16:20:51 UTC https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2064873591 Letter 1 from 3BL students luisella_bertolado42 https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2065022357 Dear Anne,
I read your letter with pleasure because I like people that have the courage to write what they truly think. Writing about oneself may be no cure for the sufference one feels, but indeed something we can't avoid doing.
Don't be afraid of your musings and what they mean, I believe that most people can't question themeselves or just reflect on the beauty we can see in our life and this thing makes me sad.
I agree when you write : "Paper has more patience than people". Sad but true, in this period I often find myself thinking  that probably spending time on reflection is not in the DNA of humans, but we can indeed choose to take part in this "mechanical" life or else search a different way of living.
I'm very happy you can think of the happiness that still remains, being a bit different from your mother:  such a "rebellion of happiness"!
I know I may sound rather negative, as for me it is sometimes easier to see difficulties rather than potentials.
I can't deny we have both lived through hardships and therefore it is difficult to keep a positive outlook, but we do have to try!
I think happiness is not a continuous state or mood, but different small moments that we have to preserve. Do you agree ?
I hope to hear from you soon
A.P.]]> 2022-02-24 17:42:15 UTC https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2065022357 Letter 2 from 3BL students luisella_bertolado42 https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2065064191 My dearest Anne,
thank you for trusting me enough to share what you think are just musings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Although you're very young, I find you to be very wise : the way you look at life is very refreshing and surprisingly positive, considering the terrible situation you're in.
I'm happy to know we share the same passion : writing: I, too, enjoy writing a couple of pages of my journal before falling asleep; I talk about my days and I reflect on the problems that at sixteen  years of age seem unresolvable. I believe writing works as therapy for the both of us, since you also said that you use it to get all things off your chest. I feel safe in between the lines of my journal because I know they're there to hold space just for me, they're only there to listen and hold what would otherwise be a cluttered mess in my mind. I also wanted to thank you for your  piece of advice; next time I feel stressed because of schoolwork I promise I will step outside to look at the sky. I feel silly comparing my insignificant problems to your terrifiying ones, but I also believe that each generation has their own. I could never understand the gravity of your situation simply because it is unthinkable at my time and age, so it's understandable that I end up trying to find things that are common between us in our problems.
I admire you, Anne, because no matter what you're going through, you can still find happiness and grounding in the beauty of nature. My world should learn that from you!
Yours A.D.]]> 2022-02-24 18:06:01 UTC https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2065064191 Letter 1 from 3BL students luisella_bertolado42 https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2065102708 February 2022

Dear Anne,
in the past two years I've lived, and I'm still living, a similar situation as yours. Even if the cause of my "hiding" is different, I can say I understand how you could feel about it. Maybe not completely, but I do.
You see, we've also been forced into our houses, without any chance of going out and carrying on our favourite activities or meeting our loved ones because of the pandemic. But the worst thing that is happening right now is the crisis between Ukraine and Russia.
I admit I've been interested on the subject for a long while now, even before the start of the current crisis. I remember being very interested in the Donbass war years ago, but at the time I couldn't fully understand what was going on. But now the crisis is back stronger than ever, while I'm also a bit more mature, I can say I totally agree with you : people are crazy. With the money they spend in war we could make so much progress, but powerful people decide to utilize it for their own destructive goals.
However, I really admire the way you live this kind of situation : I don't think I'd have the strength to think like you. You try to live this as if it was an adventure,  and I don't find it easy at all. Anne, you're one of the strongest persons I've ever got to know and maybe I should try to see all of this as an advernture full of emotions and lessons to learn. You're definitely someone people should look up to.
 Have a nice day and take care of yourself.
S.R.]]> 2022-02-24 18:27:35 UTC https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2065102708 Letter 2 from 3BL students luisella_bertolado42 https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2069904399 Dear Anne,
thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Sadly, in the world I live in, the concerns and complaints you have are still relevant. I am faced every single day with the sad truth : most people truly don't care about the others and the world. 
Perhaps the news are to blame, but I feel like people nowadays are only able to focus on one issue at a time and seem to completely forget about the problems they were so caught up with just a few moments earlier. I find this amusing in a way, but also very disappointing. To me, it’s the proof that most people only sympathise with a cause to show that they’re “good people”, and not because they truly care about it. 
I agree with you when you say that too much money is invested in the wrong causes. Our society lacks balance and it often comes down to the mindset of even the avarage, common person, who focuses on things that shouldn't be problems, but are transformed into ones.
In my opinion, people are costantly creating new problems and issues because they aren't capable of living peacefully. After all, it's easier to focus on something negative, rather than on something positive. It's also less risky : when you're dealing with a situation that is already bad at the beginning, you'll hardly ever be disappointed if it gets worse. On the other hand, when everything is going smoothly, a sudden downfall is more shocking and harder to accept. As for me, I share your point of view. Even when I feel that my life is slipping through my fingers and I struggle to find a reason to go on, I try to imagine that the world has a plan for me, and I wish to see it fulfilled. I shall not dispair, and neither should you. Everything will work out for the best.
Goodbye Anne, 
Your friend Elle
]]> 2022-02-28 17:07:40 UTC https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2069904399 Letter 3 from 3BL students luisella_bertolado42 https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2073320992 February 2022

Dear Anne,
You're absolutely right! Hate is bloody hilariuos ! Thinking about a nation so afraid and lifeless investing that much time, energy and money to find, abuse and kill an entire ethnicity ? I mean ... what about guitar or sawing? If only more people liked to create and share, instead of destroying and taking ! After all, what you give is all you get to keep, don't you agree?
I'd love to hear your answer, but I won't. I won't because you are dead; and you are dead because the lack of acceptance and mutual understanding spread in our society won't let you answer my question. And you know what ? Maybe that's better. Stay there, rest. You don't need to go through any more than you already did. Because, yes, I regret to inform you that the world hasn't changed that much. Most people believe it did, but just because your people ( which are my people, too) don't get gassed doesn't mean hate has vanished.
The lethal gas can be used as metaphor for a lot of things we are still going through; and even if they may be considered not as terrible as what Mr. Mouch did, I'm sorry, they are.
But I think, if you were here now, if you saw the world at the same exact moment as I'm writing, you wouldn't be so selfish to disagree, and you would do a lot to help.
I know you won't answer me, but I'll ask you questions anyway, because people still need to read your words.
Yours
D.M.]]> 2022-03-02 10:43:43 UTC https://padlet.com/luisella_bertolado42/jbhzt20pwheiupty/wish/2073320992