"… And the sun was shining as it’s never shone before in 1944. Our chestnut tree is in full bloom. It’s covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year.”
               Anne Frank , Diary of a Young Girl

Anne Frank loved this chestnut tree and I have painted it in her memory , and to bring the message from Annes Diary to the world today , a message that we all need to keep in our hearts.

“As long as this exists, this sunshine and this cloudless sky and as long as I can enjoy it how can I be sad.”
Anne Frank died aged 15 after hiding from her persecutors for 2 years, enclosed in a secret attic, where this beautiful chestnut tree was her only link with nature.

In her all too short life, she realised how hatred of others because of racial differences was the root of so much needless destruction. Alas, Anne was never given time to blossom because she was Jewish, and still today in the world we are confronted by so many children not given time to blossom because of intolerance and violent hatred.

“I firmly believe that nature can bring comfort to all that suffer”

I have painted this iconic tree in all its beauty, in the hope that all the children of the world can one day be allowed to blossom.

You can read more about their fantastic work at www.annefrank.org.uk

“The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God. For then,
and only then, can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature’s beauty and simplicity.”

We need to be positive in this world and to be kind to everyone, all shapes, races and sizes. PLEASE think carefully before judging someone badly, why not show understanding and love instead of anger and hate……Make this world a better place for us all and our childrens children…….Give thought and warmth to how you act to others and I think being aware we will all hug the world and BLOSSOM together. We owe it to humankind.

Love and Light
Cindy xx

Otto Franks favourite quote "IF THE WORLD WERE TO END TOMORROW, I WOULD STILL PLANT A TREE TODAY" how amazing to be so full of hope, he said this after his time in Auschwitz, it is a testament to his continued belief in humanity.

I had the honour to met Emma Thompson a couple of years ago. What an amazing women, she does soo much for charity. Emma was delighted to see my painting of Anne Franks tree. You will see Emma has auctually replanted the original tree from a cutting and is growing well. Emma cant be at the tree planting for Annes 79th birthday June 12th due to filming.
Thank you Emma for all your support!

LET US BE GRATEFUL TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE US HAPPY. THEY ARE THE CHARMING  GARDENERS WHO MAKE OUR SOULS BLOSSOM. (THANK YOU).

Marcel Proust.

I had glimpsed it, as Anne once did, from the attic window. I was also allowed into the garden that lies next to the one where the tree stands. I tried to imagine Anne looking out of the window at the tree, but to my despair was then told she had no window to look out from –  to be seen was just too risky. An occasional peep at night-time was probably all she could be allowed.
I love trees with a passion. I hope that gazing even occasionally at the top of this one would have given her some solace and comfort.
Outside, I was overwhelmed with the number of people queuing outside; the constant flow of people honouring this amazing girl. It is as if even with the horror of what happened, the struggle to survive and the eventual inevitability of Anne and her family’s death, the house serves to remind the world of this piece of human history.
Being female and Jewish, I do identify with Anne. I had the privilege of being brought up in a middle class home in north London, but at school I remember being called a “stinking Jew”. I was only 4ft 9”, but I still stood up for myself. However, to me Anne Frank’s story – and everything the tree symbolises – is not just about being Jewish. The world is sadly still full of racism, intolerance, hatred and anger. For those, like me, who believe in love, spirituality and the prospect of a better world, the tree is about hope. And for the sake of our children, hope must never be allowed to die.
I am honoured to have painted the tree that Anne once saw. I hope this painting brings you comfort and hope too.

If you'd like to know more please to www.annefrank.org.uk and look under support and you will find a link about the tree painting.

Bertha Klug I had the pleasure to meet at The Anne Franks Trust headquarters last week for her 88th birthday. This wonderful, charming lady started the Anne Frank trust at 19 years old. She knew the story and met Otto Frank and wanted to help. There are few people in ones lives that bring such light! WHAT A FANTASTIC WOMEN always helping others, thank you life for letting me met Bee!

Nastasha Marsh and I were invited to the Houses of Parliament, June of this year. Natasha sung beautifully and it was a perfect setting for me to unveil No Time to Blossom. It was a very moving day as all the MPS were there to support awareness to all races. Nic Creem who made the Anne Frank Declaration happen was there. I knew history had and was being made.

What a wonderful morning! M.P. Nick Taylor made it possible to plant this tree, what should have been Anne Franks 79th birthday, with a plaque too. Emma Thompson was busy filming so could not be there. Delightful Michael Winner did us the honours instead.

From left to right Lara & Elise Wootliff behind Karen Wootliff, infront Oliver & jack Lass,
Bee Klugh, Eva Schloss, behind Nick Paget Brown, Lord Taylor of Warwick ME, Lisa Voice and Nic Careem.

I hope through the painting this tree will give the next generation a good undrestanding and harmony to human mankind.

Love and light,
Cindy!

Firstly I would just like to say how honored and delighted I am to be here on such a memorable day. It’s such a huge privilege to give the Anne Frank House this painting on its 50th year open to the public. I can only hope its message EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BLOSSOM will live on for future generations to come. Eva, you are an exceptional women; you are such an inspiration to me with all the good work you still do-I feel truly blessed our paths have crossed and today we are all making positive history together.
If there are fifty different trees in a park, does the Universe pick which one gets watered? No, because they all do! If you strip us off our physical looks, beliefs and everything-you will find we all have the same HEART   - pumping to THE SAME BEAT………all over the world. I believe that the human race is like our Mothers necklace. We are all linked together despite of our differences. Though we are closely linked, we must remember to allow each other our spaces and our freedom to be. We should marvel at our different cultures and embrace our different views, TOGETHER.
Thank you to all at The Anne Frank House, I know you will enjoy this painting as much as I loved creating it. Sadly Anne and millions of others were NOT given the respect and freedom they deserved. Please let the message live on EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO BLOSSOM.