Thessaloniki: How kids are smurfing about climate thanks to the Smurfs

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Photograph of a classroom with students sitting at their desks. In the foreground a poster with the Smurfs version of the SDG icons

The children follow a presentation about climate change depicted by the Smurfs. The Belgian touch is clearly visible (© FPS Foreign Affairs).

The Children's Museum in Thessaloniki (Greece) has created an exhibition on climate change using the Smurfs and our embassy in Athens also played its part in the exhibition's success.

Who isn't actually familiar with the Smurfs? These good-humoured blue figures – of Belgian origin – arouse enthusiasm all over the world, among children and adults alike. They also provide an ideal context in which to raise more serious issues. Take, for example, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – a roadmap to a better world by 2030 – of which the UN also created a version with Smurfs.
 

Learning through play


At the busy Children's Museum in Thessaloniki – Greece's 2nd largest city – they came up with the idea of using the Smurfs to teach children about the environment and our climate. What exactly does climate change mean and what are the consequences? In collaboration with the UN Children's Fund UNICEF, this entire topic was also linked with the issue of children's rights.

In addition to a permanent display, an enthusiastic staff member also provided a range of particularly well-chosen activities. For six months – from January to June 2024 – classes from primary schools and from the first year of secondary education came along to learn through play.

And the entire initiative turned out to be a brilliant success! While the Smurfs created a context that enabled learning through play, the children became much more aware of what is at stake with regard to our climate. At the end, they also received a package containing 17 cards, one for each SDG, with illustrations featuring the Smurfs.

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Picture of two cardboard Smurfs behind which stand two children and an adult woman. In the background balloons in Belgian colours

The Smurfs, a playful vehicle to teach the children (© FPS Foreign Affairs).

A Belgian touch


At the museum's request, our embassy in Athens decided to support the exhibition. Thanks to our contribution, the Children's Museum was able to offer tickets for the symbolic price of 1 euro. That way, even children from less fortunate backgrounds could pay for admission. At least 800 children visited the exhibition that included the Smurfs.

The exhibition was also given a Belgian touch, including balloons in the colours of the Belgian flag. The fact that our country is committed to the SDGs came also across very clearly indeed. Even the fact that the Smurfs are from Belgium was not forgotten.

At a reception – organised by the Children's Museum – the Belgian consul also explained about the Belgian presidency of the EU, amongst other things. Among those present were a number of local dignitaries: the regional vice governor, 2 deputy mayors and representatives of trade organisations and consumer protection associations.

Local and national media also reported on the event. They talked about the priorities of the Belgian EU presidency, about the presence and support of our embassy and about the Smurfs' link to Belgium.

Our embassy is certainly very satisfied with the support it provided. The Children's Museum in Thessaloniki is a real draw, despite its limited resources. It also taught us that strong collaboration with local organisations can yield great results and visibility!