Young and old alike became Secret Agents for “Secret Mission: C.F.²” at the 54th Book Festival.
Secret envelopes were opened, hidden talents were revealed, children flooded the stage, young and old sang, danced, played, and completed one mission after another, in a unique interactive celebration organized by the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association at Pedion tou Areos.
The educational campaign “Secret Mission: C.F.²” came to life on Sunday, September 13, on the Main Stage of the 54th Book Festival, and for more than an hour, nothing resembled a typical book presentation.
The children took the stage and became Secret Agents. They met the book’s heroes, Chloe and Kiri, testing their powers of observation; they discovered the “Saboteurs” and the “Allies” hiding in our thoughts; dared to answer “YES, NO, or… WHY NOT?” and made their way to their final mission at the Tree of Classified Faculties.
Young and old alike sang, danced, took part in music and movement games, and everyone became part of a big group with a shared secret code: C.F.² = Cystic Fibrosis + Classified Faculties
The event was held as part of the activities organized by the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association to mark World Cystic Fibrosis Day, which is observed annually on September 8.
A different kind of event…
The start of the Secret Mission was signaled by Music Agent Pafi, the “one-man band,” who, with music, songs, dance, and musical movement games, he got young and old alike excited, transforming the Festival’s Main Stage into a huge celebration from the very first minutes.
Chief Agent Yiannis Vourakis took the reins, an actor and motivational speaker, who, with humor and boundless energy, took charge of training the new agents. At times he communicated via live video link with Secret Headquarters, at other times he would seek out the most observant agents in the audience, and at still other times he would invite children onto the stage for the next top-secret mission.
Mission 1: Meet Chloe and Kiri
First challenge: a true test of observation skills. The young agents carefully observed Chloe and Kiri and were then asked to recall small details about the two heroes. Only after Headquarters confirmed that the test had been successfully completed was the green light given for the next mission.
Episode 2: Saboteur or Ally?
Little Argyris took center stage, with negative thoughts—the kind that can hold us back—on one side and positive thoughts—the kind that help us move forward—on the other.
Together with the other young agents, they discovered which thoughts can act as “Saboteurs” and which as our “Allies.” And when the Saboteurs were revealed, young and old alike chased them all away with a big… BOO!
Mission 3: YES, NO or… WHY NOT?
With YES – NO – WHY NO signs in their hands, the agents were asked to take a stand in different situations. Because not all “NOs” are the same. There are NOs that protect us, but also NOs that are born of fear and may prevent us from trying for something that could be beneficial for us and those around us. So when should we say “NO” and when is it worth asking ourselves… “WHY NOT?” which can become a “YES ”!
Between the missions, the speakers’ presentations and Pafi’s songs moved the story forward. Each message paved the way for the next challenge, and each game revealed yet another piece of the philosophy behind “The Secret Mission: C.F.².”
From the Secret Headquarters located at a highly classified location… 30 meters below the Earth’s surface, the Head of the Secret Mission, Anna Spinou, President of the Panhellenic Association of Cystic Fibrosis, and the Deputy Head, Konstantina Giannaki, Vice President of the Association, revealed to the new agents the two K.I.s: Cystic Fibrosis + Classified Faculties, as well as the actual “Headquarters” behind the Secret Mission, the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association.
Joining them was Liana Denezaki, the soul and architect of the Secret Mission, author and illustrator of the book and co-creator of the campaign, spoke about the creative journey of Chloe and Kiri, while the Trainer of the Secret Agents, Dr. Zoe Krokou, a specialist in special education, highlighted the educational aspect of the campaign.
Behind the game lies a very real mission
Behind the secret codes, the songs, the laughter, and the games lies a very real mission.
Let’s bring to light the hidden talents of every child.
Taking cystic fibrosis and the invisible challenges that can come with living with a chronic illness as its starting point, the educational campaign “Secret Mission: CF²” is aimed at all children, encouraging them to believe in their own strengths and to nurture their inner potential.
Courage, self-confidence, cooperation, care, imagination, empathy, acceptance of diversity, and the power of TOGETHER are at the heart of the campaign.
Chloe, the heroine of the story, has cystic fibrosis, but she is not defined by it. Like every child, Chloe has challenges and fears, but she also has dreams and strengths that she must discover and nurture.
Anna Spinou, President of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association and a patient with cystic fibrosis, stated:
“Living with cystic fibrosis involves difficulties and limitations that are often invisible to others. But there are also strengths within us that we often don’t realize we have until we need to discover them. This idea gave rise to the ‘Secret Mission,’ born out of the need to talk to children about cystic fibrosis, but above all to inspire them to discover what lies hidden within themselves.”
Along the way, we realized that this story isn’t just about cystic fibrosis, but about all children. So C.F. – Cystic Fibrosis became C.F.²: Cystic Fibrosis + Classified Faculties. And seeing the children participate with such enthusiasm in every activity, we realize that the message of the Secret Mission is truly making its mark.
I feel truly lucky that we embarked on this journey together with Liana Denezaki. I could hardly imagine anyone who would approach such a difficult undertaking with more sensitivity, respect, and genuine love. She managed to give shape, color, and voice to real-life experiences with cystic fibrosis, without ever losing sight of their truth, and to create a story that can touch every child. A huge thank you to Liana, who believed in our vision and made it her own, as well as to the entire wonderful team at “The Secret Mission” that brings it to life.
Because, ultimately, this is what we want the Secret Mission to instill in every child: faith in their own strengths so that they can discover their Classified Faculties, their hidden abilities and dare to dream of a life with… Unlimited Breath.”
Konstantina Giannaki, Vice President of the Association and mother of a child with cystic fibrosis, noted:
“Behind the fictional Headquarters of the Secret Mission lies a real Headquarters: the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association. For 43 years now, our mission has been to stand by people with cystic fibrosis and their families, to advocate for better care and quality of life, and to raise public awareness about the disease.
As the mother of a child with cystic fibrosis, I believe it is important for children to understand the disease and to learn to see the person beyond it. I want children with cystic fibrosis to grow up in a society where they don’t feel they have to hide their condition or be ashamed of it, but where they can speak openly about their challenges and be accepted for who they are.
With “Secret Mission: C.F.²,” we aim to foster empathy and acceptance from an early age, while helping every child—regardless of any visible or invisible challenges, fears, or insecurities they may face, to discover their own Classified Faculties.”
Liana Denezaki, the book’s author and illustrator and co-creator of the educational campaign, revealed something else about the origins of the two characters:
“There’s something really beautiful about everything that’s happening. Chloe and Kiri started out as two characters I drew on paper, and today I see them living their own lives, meeting children, entering classrooms, and inspiring play, reflection, and discussion.”
But to me, they also hide something very real. Chloe is Anna Spinou, and Kiri is her inner guide. He is the voice inside her that encourages her to keep going and to believe in her own strength, so in a way, he is Anna all over again. It’s her own story, her own struggle to live with an illness that brings daily difficulties and limitations, without letting them define who she is, what she can achieve, and how far she can dream. This struggle and this attitude toward life were, for me, the inspiration behind Chloe and Kiri.
I would like to thank Anna Spinou and the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association for their trust and for the vision that allowed this idea to flourish, as well as the entire Secret Mission team that brings it to life. I hope the young agents will discover their Classified Faculties and put them to use for the greater good. Because what our world needs most is Boundless Breath and kindness.”
Dr. Zoe Krokou, a specialist in special education, discusses the educational aspect of the campaign and the significance of her visits to schools:
“Why did we bring the Secret Mission to schools? Because prevention and education are the best allies in education. We want all children and all parents to learn not only about Cystic Fibrosis, but also about Classified Faculties, because through every challenge we can discover a strength we may not have known we had.”
School is the place where we can cultivate this knowledge from an early age through experiential learning, play, and participation. “Let’s help children better understand themselves and others, recognize both their challenges and their potential, and learn to act with empathy and acceptance.”
The Tree of Classified Faculties
The latest mission awaited the new agents at the Tree of Classified Faculties. Sealed envelopes bearing the Headquarters’ seal hung from its branches. Secret Mission Chief Anna Spinou and Deputy Chief Konstantina Giannaki handed out one envelope to each secret agent.
Inside each envelope was a different “Classified Faculty,” which the child was encouraged to develop over the following week. There was also a small paper heart containing seeds for the child to plant in a pot and care for with water and love, so that , along with the flower , their hidden abilities would continue to bloom.
More than 300 copies of the book “Secret Mission: K.I.²” were distributed for free, along with gifts and surprises, while Liana Denezaki signed and dedicated her books to the young Secret Agents. And as the envelopes flew off the Tree and the books found their way into the children’s hands, Pafi continued to play, sing, and lead the little agents in rhythm.
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to the Hellenic Publishers Association for hosting the event at the 54th Book Festival, as well as the team of YABers volunteers from AB Vassilopoulos and all the volunteers who helped make this large-scale interactive celebration a reality and ensure it ran smoothly.
Special thanks to the entire team behind “Secret Mission: C.F.²,” to the members of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, and to our collaborators, whose creativity, scientific expertise, volunteer efforts, and love breathe life into every new mission.
The Secret Mission Continues…
The next secret envelope has already been opened. And there is only one target. May more and more children learn about cystic fibrosis and discover, nurture, and bring to light their own hidden talents.
The Secret Mission continues in schools…
Discover the educational campaign, the book, the activities, and the educational materials, and find out how your school can become part of the Secret Mission.
Join the Secret Mission: secretmission.cysticfibrosis.gr
“Secret Mission: C.I.²” is an original educational campaign by the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, which was inspired by the children’s book of the same name and is brought to schools and the educational community free of charge.
It includes the book in print and digital formats, an educational website and a Teacher’s Guide, games and interactive activities, hands-on activities in schools, online professional development seminars for teachers, and an educational “kit” with tools for implementing the program in the classroom.
The campaign is held under the scientific auspices of the Research Institute for Inclusion, Citizenship, and Mental Health of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (SY.PO.PSY.), the Hellenic Society of Pediatric Pulmonology, the Hellenic Transplant Organization (EOM), and the Hellenic Society of Pulmonology.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is the Platinum Sponsor of the educational campaign. The campaign is supported by the Greek-American Union, Specialty Therapeutics and PrintServe.
