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FAQ

Veelgestelde vragenSince decades, Miep Gies has been receiving mail from all over the world. People write to thank her for her book, to share their own life story, and to ask questions. Before Miep's book was released in the Netherlands, it was published in the United States in English. Many of those asking questions live in America, and they include many children.

All mail was handled and answered, but you are now being invited, above all, to send an e-mail.

Miep Gies has died on the 11th of January 2010 but her son Paul Gies will do his best to answer any questions you might have.

Below you will find the 100 most frequently asked questions. The last three contain advice that Miep Gies would like to offer all letter writers.

1. Wat is your best memory about the time of the hiding and what is your worst (except the capture)?

27. Did Margot also keep a diary?

26. Besides Anne's diary what else did you take from the Attic?

28. What were the other hiders like?

29. What was the hardest part of keeping the secret?

30. Was it hard to procure cigarettes and other supplies?

31. How old were you when it all started?

32. Did Otto, after the war, keep his office?

33. Is Otto still alive?

34. Were you and Anne close?

35. Why did Otto never appear in a movie?

36. What movie or play is closest to the real thing?

37. You brought food and games to the Annex. So, while this happened the outside world was still normal?

38. Do people treat you differently, because you are famous?

39. Was it your idea to get the Diary published?

40. Whose idea was the Secret Annex?

41. What was it like being with Anne for that long?

42. How did you respond to having only Otto Frank come back?

43. What had happened if they had not been helped to hide?

44. Do you stille have Anne Frank's manuscript?

45. How you feel about the German people?

46. Was it hard to provide for the hiders and also for yourself?

47. How is it to be the only one, still living?

48. Miep, how are you doing?

49. Could the neighbours not hear all the fighting and yelling?

14. Do you have any friends from the time of the Holocaust that are still living today?

2. Did you ever think you were going to be captured?

3. Was it hard to meet everyone's needs?

4. Was it worth risking your life by helping the Jews?

5. What were the Nazi's like, were they nice or rude?

6. While in hiding, was Anne afraid or sad a lot?

7. Did you ever visit a death camp?

8. Did you ever sit down with Anne and talk about the war?

9. What made you risk your life to help the families?

10. Did only you and Mr. Kugler know about the hiders?

11. What was life like in that time? We have read stories from the Jewish perspective, but how was it for non-Jews?

12. Have you ever been to the USA?

13. Are you still married and where do you live now?

51. Is there something you will never forget?

15. What was the hardest part of the whole thing?

16. Did you help other people during the war?

17. Did you return to the Attic and have you seen death camps?

18. What was it like knowing Anne and her family?

19. Did you know about Anne's diary when she was in hiding?

20. Do you think Anne and Peter would later have married?

21. Why did you never return to live with your real family in Austria?

22. Was Margot always the quiet one?

23. Did you enjoy your wedding?

24. Was Anne an extraordinary child?

25. Were the hiders nice people?

89. What would have been the punishment for hiding Jews?

77. Did you put "The Diary of Anne Frank" together with Otto Frank?

78. Was it hard to get to the hiding place?

79. How many languages you know?

80. Is any of the helpers or of Anne's friends still alive?

81. Where and how long did you go to school?

82. How many letters you get?

83. Were you ever in a concentration camp?

84. Did you like to read and write when you were a kid?

85. Did Anne and Peter really kiss?

86. When did you meet Anne the last time?

87. Were your duties sometimes overwhelming?

88. Have you met discrimination as a child?

76. Did the Dutch government try to rebel against the Nazi's?

90. Was anyone suspicious?

91. How did the police find the hiding place?

92. Have you ever heard from Anne after her arrest?

93. In spite of all dedication Anne was arrested. Was it worth the effort?

94. How did you manage to give the hiders a feeling of safety and what was your impression of their personalities?

95. Wat was your involvement with Anne’s diary?

96. What do you know about the five missing papers?

97. I admire your bravery and courage. I probably could not do it.

98. Miep Gies' advice:

99. Miep Gies' advice:

100. Miep Gies' advice:

63. You were propably relieved at the arrest of the hiders?

52. Do we know where Anne and the other victims are buried?

53. Was there ever a moment you wanted to give op?

54. What was Margot's personality like?

55. Did Otto ever share any of his opinions regarding the Diary?

56. How did the experience affect your life?

57. Could the Frank family still have gone to Switzerland?

58. Is it true that a burglar betrayed them?

59. Did you read the Diary?

60. Did your family know and agree about your hiding people?

61. How were the teenagers kept occupied and quiet?

62. Did you hide, exept the student Kuno, anybody else?

50. What was it like to live under the conditions of the Second World War?

64. What happened to the garbage of the hiders?

66. Did you ever search abandoned places for valuables?

67. What did your husband think of your help?

68. Was Otto Frank a German officer in World War I?

69. How did the Nazi's treat the non-Jews?

70. How did the people find out about the concentration camps?

71. Was your husband supportive?

72. Do you like the world today, compared to before World War II?

73. Was the student Kuna, you did hide at your home, arrested?

74. Did the hiders ever get stressed?

75. Did you ever want to go back to Vienna?