The Main Stage of the 52nd Book Festival in Areos Field was filled with children’s smiles and warm feelings on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
On the occasion of the World Cystic Fibrosis Day, the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association and the award-winning author-illustrator, Liana Denezaki, organized a very special event.
The “Secret Mission: CF”, the first interactive children’s book about Cystic Fibrosis, came to life through interactive games, music, songs – such as “Breathless Breath for All Children” – knowledge, gifts and surprises for young and old alike.
The President of the Panhellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, Anna Spinou, said: “The response of the people to our event was overwhelming and exceeded all expectations! We all felt deep emotion and gratitude seeing so many smiling faces, young and old, united in this special celebration of love and hope! Our heartfelt thanks to all who supported and participated in this special day.
Cystic Fibrosis, the most common hereditary disease, affects thousands of people in Greece and around the world. With over half a million carriers in Greece and more than 80,000 patients worldwide, Cystic Fibrosis affects us all. With the book “Secret Mission: CF” we send a message of optimism and strength to all those who face challenges in their lives. “Secret Mission: CF” reminds us of the limitless possibilities we all have to overcome any difficulty in life and to keep fighting for what we all need most, not only Cystic Fibrosis patients, but the entire planet: unlimited breath.
A huge thank you to the author-illustrator Liana Denezaki, who opened her heart to us and turned our dream into reality by creating this special book with sensitivity and love.”
The author-illustrator of the book “Secret Mission: “The Secret Mission: CF is the gift of the older Cystic Fibrosis children to the younger ones. With Anna Spinou, president of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, we dreamed of filling the world with members of a mission that aims to prove that the power of TOGETHER multiplies our potential. And so, together with the pediatrician Mrs. Petrochilou, Mrs. Katsini, Mrs. Giannaki, the little Argyri and Trissygenis, volunteers, patients and their families, we travelled on this mission, accompanied by Chloe and Kiri, the heroes of the book, who revealed to us that there are NOs that make our lives more difficult. No, that if we first change to WHY NO? and then to YES, our lives will be better – and this is something that is not just for Cystic Fibrosis patients, but for the whole world.
And so, at the 52nd Festival of Vivlion in the Field of Areos, young and old joined our voices and sang loudly that 2F + 1A means UNLIMITED LOVE FOR ALL CHILDREN!“
An event full of knowledge, inspiration and fun!
The visitors were informed about Cystic Fibrosis by expert scientists, were enchanted by the heroes of the book and had fun, discovering, on the occasion of Cystic Fibrosis, how we can turn the “NO’s” that make our lives difficult into those “YES’s” that make them more joyful.
The event was opened by Mr. Vassilis Hadziakavou, on behalf of the Association of Book Publishers (SEKB). Then Anna Spinou, President of the Hellenic Cystic Fibrosis Association, spoke about how living with Cystic Fibrosis inspired the creation of the book. Argyro Petrochilou, a paediatric pulmonologist at the Cystic Fibrosis Children’s Department “Aghia Sophia”, presented scientific information about the disease, while psychiatrist and Vice President of the Association, Irini Katsini, highlighted the importance of the book in combating stereotypes. The author and illustrator of the book, Liana Noezaki, revealed the story and the heroes, taking the audience to the magical world of the “Secret Mission”.
Interactive games, music and singing for young and old!
Enchanting interactive games with a background of colorful bracelets and soap bubbles that filled the space were offered to the audience by the actress – theater educator – director Natasha-Fai Kosmidou and the musician Yannis Tsotsos. The joy culminated when young and old alike sang and danced to “Unlimited Breath for all children”, a song about Cystic Fibrosis by Natasha-Faye Kosmidou inspired by the book “Secret Mission.
The event concluded with Liana Denezaki signing copies of the book “Secret Mission: CF”, while the public received the book for free from the Association along with the “Secret Mission” tools, as well as souvenir gifts, giving the guests a piece of the action and love that dominated the event!
Vertex Pharmaceuticals was the Platinum sponsor of the event .
Many thanks:
- To the SEKB – Greek Book Publishers Association that embraced the event with sensitivity.
- To the Platinum Sponsor of the event, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, who contributed decisively to the success of the event.
- To the volunteer patients, caregivers, relatives and friends who supported the event with great dedication, to the Cystic Fibrosis Scientific Committee, and to all the contributors who worked tirelessly for its success.
- To the author-illustrator of the book, Liana Denezaki, who with her talent, love and sensitivity has gone so deep into the world of Cystic Fibrosis.
Browse and get the book “Secret Mission: CF”: https://www.cysticfibrosis.gr/draseis/paidiko-vivlio/
Watch the whole event 
