Cyprus Festivals and EventsCypriots need no excuses for a party; so there are many fun Cyprus festivals and events to attend every year! Most are unique to the island and cannot be experienced anywhere else on earth! May, for example, sees flower festivals (Anthestiria) held in various towns in the Republic to celebrate the arrival of Spring. They include a street procession and competitions are held for the best flower arrangements. Performances of Ancient Greek myths are also re-enacted. Film buffs can enjoy the Cyprus International Film Festival in September. This is a great opportunity to see independent films which often don’t reach mainstream cinema and to show your support foe film makers. Village festivals are also held throughout August, and communities gather together to enjoy music, dancing and drinking, and some include exhibitions of agriculture, art, craftwork and flowers. The village Lefkara proudly exhibits the lace and embroidery that it is famous for. Many Cyprus festivals celebrate the fruit and vegetables of the island and different villages hold different festivals to mark the harvest of their produce. Two of the biggest and most popular of these village Cyprus festivals are the Guzelyurt Orange Festival in June/July and the Zeytenlik Olive Festival in September, both held in North Cyprus. Fairs often take place, along with concerts and music. The Limassol Carnival is the biggest carnival on the island and takes place two weeks before Lent begins. Meat and dairy feature in a big way as these products will not be eaten for the whole of Lent. The carnival shows off the playfulness and musical charm of Cyprus, and throughout the event minstrels playing bouzoukis wander the streets while fancy dress parties are held. Many hotels also hold balls each night. Limassol is also home to the Beer Festival in July, which exhibits beers from all over the world which you can wash down with Cypriot food, to a backdrop of Cypriot music. Official Holidays in the Republic of Cyprus• Jan1 - New Years Day • Jan 6 - Epiphany • Mar 14 Green Monday • Mar 25 - Greek Independence Day • Apr 1 - Greek Cypriot National Day • Apr - May- Greek Orthodox Easter • May 1 - Labour Day • Jun - Pentecost (Kataklysmos) • Aug 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary • Oct 1 - Cyprus Independence Day • Oct 28 - Ochi Day (Greek National Day) • Dec 24-26 – Christmas Official Holidays in North Cyprus• Jan 1 - New Year's Day• Feb 1-4* - Kurban Bayram (Feast of the Sacrifice) • Apr 23 - National Sovereignty and Children's Day • May 1- Labour and Spring Holiday • May 19 - Ataturk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day • 20 July - Turkish Intervention • Aug 1 - Establishment date of T.M.T (Social Resistance Day) • Aug 30 - Victory Day • Oct 29 - Republic Day • Nov 15 Republic Day of T.R.N.C • Nov 14-16* - (End of Ramadan) Ramazan or Seker Bayra
See also:
The Cyprus Wine Festival
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