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either during times of celebration or mourning, as
a sign of hospitality or donation and charity, and as
part of religious ceremonies.
Limassol Carnival
The Limassol Carnival is one of the oldest - and
most popular - celebrations in Limassol and
Cyprus as a whole. Historically, the Carnival
was popular across the entire island; however,
with time the celebration grew to such great
dimensions in Limassol that it finally came to
identify with the town and become an integral
part of its special identity. For the residents of
Limassol, the Carnival has become an urban and
family tradition, passing from one generation
to the next with great enthusiasm. The main
characteristics of the Limassol Carnival are:
eating meat, drinking wine, satire, dance and
song – especially cantatas – as well as dressing
up in various costumes. The Municipality of
Limassol plays a major role in the modern-
day Carnival, organising an 11-day celebration
that includes - among others - parades,
outdoor dancing, costume competitions and
art exhibitions. As in the old days, Shrove
Thursday is still the Carnival’s official launch
day. On this day, Limassol residents gather
at various points of the historical centre and
relive traditional Carnival customs, such as
“tsiknomata” (eating meat), cantatas and
impromptu festivities. The celebrations reach
their peak over the Carnival weekend, with the
children’s and adults’ Carnival parades, which
are joined by thousands of floats and costumed
groups from Cyprus as well as abroad.
Fair of Kataklysmos (Cataclysm, Flood),
in Larnaca
The Fair of Kataklysmos (Cataclysm, Flood)
was traditionally held in all coastal towns
of Cyprus, though historical records show
the celebration was all the more special in
Larnaca, which involved people from across
the entire island. Today, Larnaca hosts the
island’s biggest Fair of Kataklysmos; and it
still involves all the districts. It takes place
along the town’s main coastal front, along
the length of Phinikoudes Beach (Athenon
Street). The Fair of Kataklysmos, documented
since the 19
th
century, is held fifty days after
Easter and gets its name from the custom
of people drenching each other with water.
During the Fair, market stalls are set up across
Phinikoudes and sell traditional handicrafts and
local delicacies, while traditional games take
place. It also includes swimming and sailing
games, traditional poetry, dance and singing,
among other things. Kataklysmos is the most
Limassol Carnival (1920-1930)
Limassol Carnival (1920-1930)
