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Cyprus Festivals
...TOP festivals in Cyprus
Cyprus festivals are full of wine, music, greek drama and fun and something the entire family will enjoy!
Festivals are an integral part of the Cyprus culture and tradition of Cyprus and an important part of every day life.
Festivals are often associated with religion and towns such as Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca and Nicosia are renowned for their exciting events.
Traditional festivals such as Carnival, Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood), 'Anthestiria' (the Spring Flower festival) and the 'Panigiri' (saint's name day) are celebrated all over Cyprus.
Greek Orthodox Easter and Christmas are important religious festivals celebrated by in all towns.
The major festival at Christmas is held in Nicosia in Eleftheria (Freedom) Square. The following are some of the main festivals celebrated throughout the year but there are many more.
Epiphany - 6 January
The children of this sun-drenched island love this religious festival as part of the celebrations is diving into the cold sea and retrieving the cross the Priests throw in to bless the sea.
This world-wide festival is celebrated throughout the island with parades and floats and much fun and joviality. Lemesos Carnival is the largest and most colorful of all carnivals in Cyprus and lasts for an amazing eleven days - Limassol Carnival
Of all Cyprus festivals, Greek Orthodox Easter is the most important festival in the Greek calendar and a wonderful time to visit Cyprus. The religious celebrations begin on Good Friday with Christs death and burial. On Saturday at midnight the mass celebrates Christ's resurrection - Greek Easter.
Flower Festival - MAY
During Spring the island is ablaze with flowers and the Spring Flower Festivals are spectacular with parades and flower filled floats which focus on Ancient Greece.
The hot summer month of June are when the works of Shakespeare are performed for three days at the open-air ancient theatre of Kourion.
July & August Festivals in Cyprus
Ancient Greek Drama Festival - July
If you like Greek tragedies and drama then don't miss these spectacular performances which are held throughout the months of July and August at Kourion, Pafos Odeon, Larnaka and Paramlimni.
September Festivals
The event attracts thousands of people from all over the world and is held in Limassol Municipal Gardens. The wine of the gods is FREE for all to enjoy - Limassol Wine Festival.
Pafos Aphrodite Festival
A highlight of the year is the Pafos Aphrodite Festival of international opera which is held every year in September under the stars at Pafos harbor. Venue: The Medieval Pafos Castle, Cyprus - at 20.00 hours. For each performance there are 2,500 seats
www.pafc.com.cy
The Limassol International Children's Festival is held in Limassol Municipal Gardens. There is face painting, trampolines, clowns, songs, dances concerts, exhibitions, art works, table games and a puppet show - Limassol International Children's Festival
Kypria Festival
This cultural event has grown over the years and is an important festival in Cyprus. The event is organized by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture and this year includes a performance of the famous 'Barber of Seville' by the Moscow Helicon Opera.
Kypria Program of Events in Greek and English
Ayia Napa International Festival
At Ayia Napa Square - Entrance FREE - Time 7.30pm
The square at Ayia Napa is full of music, dancing, fireworks and Cypriot food and family entertainment.
For more information Tel: 23 816 307
October Festivals
6th Cyprus International Film Festival 2011
30 September - 16 October 2011
Cyprus Film Festival
Afamia Grape Festival
The Square, Koilani Village
About 30km north of Limassol Town
Celebration to mark the end of the grape harvest.
Enjoy wine tasting and the traditional sweet palouze - grape blancmange which is made from grape juice and cornflour.
There will be open-air markets and tradtional folk dancing.
The countryside around Limassol is very pretty and is also home to
OCHI DAY - 28 October 2011 (Public Holiday)
Greek National Day is celebrated every year as it marks the day when Greeks said NO (ochi) to Mussolini on October 28, 1940.
The Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas' rejected the ultimatum made by Mussolini and since 1942 the day has been celebrated as a public holiday with parades. Many places will be closed.
December
This is one of the most celebrated of Cyprus festivals and is a joyous time of the year in Cyprus and a great time to visit the island.
The weather in Cyprus is normally very warm and the traditional trimmings include Christmas pud.
All the cities and villages have traditional Christmas trees in squares or on promenades by the beach and the shops are ablaze with lights and seasonal food and gifts - Christmas in Cyprus.
Hotels in Cyprus
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Cyprus Holidays
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