Carnival in Cyprus

History Carnival was being celebrated

in ancient Greece. Celebrations were being

organized in honor of god Dionissos. Ancient Greeks

got dressed in various costumes, wore masks and had fun in feasts for days. Cypriots kept this custom.

Town of carnival: Limassol

The origin of Carnival traces

back to the very past and is closely linked with the history of the

Greeks. It seems that it is a festivity related to classical antiquity: the Dionysian festivals called “Dionysian”, during which a contest was taking place amongst three great tragedians of ancient Greece: Aeschylus, Euripides and Sophocles, three

dramatists of our history. In ancient times, as far as we know and from what we read , the actors used to

wear masques during the dramatic spectacles and comedic

performances. It is obvious that the modern way of disguising

oneself during the carnivals festivities derives from this habit.

1935

1953

Carnival in Cyprus was associated with the beginning of the fasting of Easter. Carnival was called

“Apokries” which means in Greek “without meat”. It was celebrated with feasts and traditional games.

In addition, people got dressed in costumes and wore masks in order to scare others.

Just like many other festivities and cultural traditions, Cypriot carnival celebrations actually date back to the beginning of the last century,

when homes in Limassol opened their doors and welcomed round friends and family for a feast of food and wine. Limassol holds the largest annual

carnival in the island of Cyprus. The Limassol Carnival is an important institution: a tradition for

the Limassolians, which remains alive and will survive throughout times.

1935

In Ancient years The Limassol Carnival is however a feast that all

of us expect to enjoy impatiently and willingly. It was celebrated in an organized

way since the past, when groups of merrymakers from all the social strata of the city organized in their houses meetings and organized parades using donkeys, carriages,

broughams and bikes. People of that area felt a vast satisfaction watching their fellow

citizens disguised satirizing situations, persons and various things directly or indirectly linked

with everyday life and the reality of their times.

Today Carnival is celebrated in towns all over

Cyprus, but especially in the city of Limassol. In our days carnival events

start on the “Shrove Thursday” (the last of eating meat) with the Carnival King

entering the town in a festive atmosphere. Then follows, the children's parade, the various Serenades' shows and finally the Grand Carnival Parade which

takes place on the last Sunday of the Carnival festivities.

Many people in fancy dresses participate to

enjoy a special razzle-dazzle. Special

consideration has been given to the decoration

of the town. All the places where festivities are planned, as well as the central key points

of the town, are decorated in an as ingenious way as

possible

Parties are held and people gather to feast, sing

satirical songs and play games. The last Sunday of the “Cheese Week” is

the highlight of the Carnival. This is when the

Grand Carnival Parade takes place on the last

“Green Monday ” or the first day of lent.

Colourful floats and groups of people, singing and dancing, parades in the main roads of Limassol create a truly festive atmosphere. The open-air celebrations and feasting take place throughout Cypriot towns but the Grand Parade in Limassol is the peak focus of the

Carnival. During the Carnival parade large crowds from all over the island gather to watch the floats accompanied by the serenades and

amazing costumed groups

Traditions During the” cheese “or “Tyrini” week of carnival look out for

seasonal specialties such as pastry “bourekia” filled with mint flavor cheese and “ravioli”. Also sticky sweetmeats such as

“daktyla” and “kanteifi”

bourekia ravioli

Interview from an old person about carnival customs

How did you use to celebrate carnival?

We used to celebrate the festive on Sunday evening eating

kebab in family gatherings because the following day was

Green Monday and we would start fasting.

Who made the costumes you wore? We made the costumes, wearing clothes from our daily lives.

We would borrow clothes from our relatives and especially our

grandparents. Boys used to dress like girls and the other way

around.

Which were your activities? We used to visit the houses of our neighborhoods

in disguise, until someone recognized us and then

we took off our masks to reveal our real face.

Then the family would treat us something like

a chocolate or home made sweets.

Were there any local customs in your village? We used to walk around the village and have fun until early

morning. We gathered in squares or the school yard and

satirized politicians and events of every day life, wearing our masks. It was

a way of pointing out our opinion on certain things. We made sure that

important people were invited to watch this.

Green Monday

The green Monday is the official end of carnival activities and the beginning of fasting. Many

Cypriots will pack a picnic on Green Monday and head for the countryside where their picnic feast

will include vegetables, olives, bread and salad and local wines.