Carnival in Cyprus

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 razzledazzle. 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.