The Cyprus Diary
Cyprus is the perfect holiday destination throughout
the year because of its wonderful mild climate with
more than 330 days of sunshine each year – no
wonder many visitors enjoy an extra long holiday to
banish the winter blues and the need for thick winter
coats!
There are wonderful local events to enjoy every month
of the year and visitors are always invited to join
in all the fun….
The
Limassol Wine Festival
This popular
12 day event draws more than 100,000 visitors from all
over the world. The festival was begun in 1961 by local
winemakers who wanted to give the public the opportunity
to learn about their wines and it takes place in Limassol’s
Municipal Gardens from 6.00 p.m. each evening. All the
major wine producers are represented and there are plenty
of different food stalls, crafts to buy and local music
to enjoy.
The
Paphos Aphrodite Festival
Early each autumn, one of the world’s leading
opera companies comes to Paphos to perform in the spectacular
setting of the harbour in front of the medieval castle.
Christmas
Christmas in Cyprus is a great
fun because it is not as commercialized as it is in
other European countries and is still a family –
orientated and religious festival. Visitors can enjoy
the many different seasonal foods and the different
local seasonal traditions – including the annual
‘Christmas Day Dip’ in the sea at Curium!
New
Year
New Year’s Day is also St Basil’s Day and
after local families have enjoyed the firework displays
as the clock chimes 12, they return home for a slice
of ‘Vasilopitta’ – St Basil’s
cake - which is a delicious sponge cake flavoured with
fresh orange juice with the numerals of the New Year
written in almonds on the top. One lucky person will
find the hidden coin inside, which will ensure food
luck for the forthcoming year.
Epiphany
– Ta Fota
The 6th January is a particularly important religious
festival in Cyprus which has the local name ‘Ta
Fota’ – ‘The Light’ which refers
to the ‘coming of the Holy Spirit’ when
Christ was baptized in the river Jordan. There are processions
down to the sea or the river in each town and these
are led by the bishop and comprise of the local band
and different youth organisations. Once by the water,
the bishop tosses his cross into the water and local
men compete to retrieve it. The person who is successful
will have good luck for the rest of the year. Colourful
roadside stalls sell warm loukamades - tiny honey filled
doughnuts that taste wonderful!
St
Valentine’s Day
Cyprus is known as ‘the island of love’
and local men will quickly tease and ask ‘who
needs St Valentine’s’? Nevertheless, Cyprus
is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic candlelit meal
for two or a walk by the shore. There are plenty of
local traditions concerning love, as Aphrodite, the
goddess of beauty and love emerged from the waves at
Petra tou Romiou- but who knows on which day!
Carnival
For ten days in early February or March everyone enjoys
the Carnival in Limassol and there are several parades
through the street with everyone dressed in brightly-coloured
fancy dress costumes. The first parade welcomes the
flamboyant King Carnival. If you would like to join
in the fun these can be bought in many high street shops!
There are special activities for children – of
all ages! - including traditional ‘shadow puppet
‘shows’.
Green
Monday
Is a major Bank Holiday that marks the end of the Carnival
period and the start of the seven week Lenten fast that
will not be broken until midnight on Easter Saturday.
Traditionally on this day, local families gather together
to enjoy a picnic in the countryside with all sorts
of vegetarian foods and the children play with kites.
In Paphos there is always a kite flying competition
down by the lighthouse in Kato Paphos. Throughout the
Lenten Fast many families abstain from eating meat and
there are many delicious dishes that are particularly
popular at this time including kolokotes – tasty
pumpkin pies.
25
March. – Cyprus Independence Day
This date is definitely an important one, marking both
Independence Day and also the religious festival of
The Annunciation. There are sizeable marches involving
schoolchildren in all the towns
Orthodox
Easter
This is the most important festival in the Orthodox
calendar and is definitely a marvelous time to visit
Cyprus. Throughout Holy Week there are different church
services and these culminate on Easter Saturday evening
with a very special service. At midnight the church
is plunged into darkness and the priest proclaims ‘Christos
Anesti’, and everyone lights their candle in turn
from those that the Papa has lit – again many
special traditions and seasonal foods to enjoy… |
