Holidays in Cyprus: what and how Cypriots celebrate

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

On this island, as in many countries, the free day falls on a Sunday. But the peculiarity is that any holiday in Cyprus that falls on a day off is not transferred. And also on any Saturday it is impossible to make transactions, since the main banking organizations are closed until Monday. Also in Cyprus there are holidays - these are special weekends. For example:

• Green Monday - this day falls on the third week of February.
• Good Friday - the day off falls on the end of the first week of April.
• Easter Monday and Tuesday - in Cyprus, the holiday of the same name lasts more than one day, so they rest longer in April.

Holidays in winter

January 1 - New Year.

This holiday is as important for Cypriots as it is for all people on the planet. St. Basil's Day is another name for the celebration, which is the reason for a large number of traditions in the state. One of these is that on New Year's Eve, a pie called Vasilopitta is baked in every house. The peculiarity lies in the fact that during baking in the doughput a coin. According to legend, the one who gets the coin will be happy for the whole coming year. Also, the cake is cut not only for those present, but also for Jesus, and for those who could not attend the holiday in Cyprus. Today the tradition also lives on in the state.

January 6 - Epiphany.

The day is very important for religious people all over the planet, Cypriots are no exception. On this day, services are held in Greek Orthodox churches from the very morning. Baptism is the only period when the whole Trinity descends to earth: God, Son and Holy Spirit.

According to legend, on the Feast of Light, Jesus was baptized in the waters of the Jordan, so it is customary on this day to purify the drink and, bathing, free the soul. And after the church service, all the priests visit residential buildings in the district and deliver them from evil spirits.

Holidays in spring

March 25 is Greek Independence Day.

Although Cyprus has long separated from this state, the celebration is celebrated to this day. The holiday appeared in 1821, when there was a liberation revolution against the Turkish invaders. In the morning, processions of various associations take place, for example, schoolchildren, students, and so on. And after that, various competitions are held, in which both athletes and just amateurs take part. The holiday ends with folk dances.

April 1 - The first day of national liberation from the English colonialists.

The holiday originates from 1955, when the movement of nationalorganizations of Cypriot fighters for independence. Also on the second Sunday of every April, the famous Tulip Festival takes place in the beautiful village of Polemi.

May 1 - Labor and Peace Day.

Almost every country celebrates May Day. Each family has its own beliefs, someone believes that it is necessary to clean the whole house on this day, and some, on the contrary, are sure that in no case should you work.

Summer Events

Holidays in Cyprus in June are visited by a large number of tourists, and all celebrations are celebrated on a large scale. All this is because the summer in this country is very warm, and the water temperature is pleasant for the body. The flow of tourists is growing rapidly with each season.

International Fair.

This is the largest exhibition in the state, it lasts for 10 days. It presents souvenirs from different parts of the world, as well as international cuisine.

Shakespeare Night.

This is a significant event for Cyprus, as on this day the whole country and the whole world remembers this famous person. The evening ends with a chic production of one of the performances of the genius of his time - Shakespeare.

July

Beer Festival in Limassol.

A famous event that attracts people from all over the world. In addition to the fact that all participants are offered to taste the best beers, the municipality of the city holds theatrical performances, invites musical and theater troupes. According to festival visitors, thisdelicious beer, as presented in Cyprus, is few places to be found. And here it flows like a river absolutely free.

August

Festival in the city of Larnaca.

Every year Cyprus hosts one of the hottest events. The exhibition lasts for a whole month, and all the famous artists of the state and foreign dancers, singers and actors have time to visit it. This is truly an arts festival. Events take place in the Amphitheater called Pattichion. Also at this time, the flower festival is held in Cyprus.

Village festival.

Summer in a sunny state is full of hot exhibitions, and this event is no exception. The festival lasts for 3 months, until the end of October. It celebrates the name days of various saints, dance battles and various fairs. Artists are also invited to perform various folklore numbers.

Holidays in autumn

October 1 - Cyprus Independence Day.

On this holiday, the entire state celebrates its separation from Greece. Without fail, in the morning there is a military parade with a display of the latest technology and a procession of various troops. And the celebration ends with a banquet at the Presidential Palace and amazing fireworks.

October 28 - Ohi Day

Public holiday in Cyprus, as well as in Greece, commemorates the year 1940. Ohi - means "no", this is what the state said in response to ultimatums from the Nazis.

Christmas

December 24 - Christmas Eve.

As in othersCatholic countries, in Cyprus, Christmas takes pride of place. Preparation for the celebration begins long before the event. Since September, people have been stocking up on gifts, and since November, they are stocking up on provisions for a chic table. One of the traditions is to buy a lot of new things both in the wardrobe and in the house, and the old things are thrown away. In the morning, every apartment is filled with the smell of yeast and vanilla, because the housewives start baking special koulouria bread and various cookies. And children at this time go to houses to sing songs, for which they are rewarded with sweets and even money. It is also a great day to congratulate those who will not be at the family celebration.

25 and 26 December - Christmas.

When the forty-day fast is over, the celebration begins. They sit down at the table on the night of December 25-26, even small children wait until 12 midnight to quickly unpack their gifts. But the Christmas holidays in Cyprus do not end there, but continue for several more days.

December 26 - Christmas time.

Religious holidays

In Cyprus, unlike the CIS countries, the church is not separated from the state. Therefore, all religious holidays are accompanied by days off.

Green, or Clean Monday.

This day is the first in Lent, but despite this, it is customary to have fun and go on picnics. Of course, the food should not contain meat and dairy products. The vegetarian fast lasts for 50 days, thanks to which the human soul prepares for a holistic cleansing from sins.

Good Friday.

This is the day of the most severefasting before the bright holiday of Easter. The whole day is preparing for the celebration. Traditionally, lentil soup is prepared with a small amount of acetic acid. This is not an easy dish, as the Cypriots remind of the torment experienced by Jesus during the crucifixion. When he asked for water to quench his thirst, a cloth soaked in vinegar was brought to his lips. Therefore, Friday passes in a calm rhythm, it is not customary to talk too loudly, but you should not be sad, everyone is waiting for the holiday.

Easter in Cyprus

Is one of the most important holidays in the life of believers. For 7 days, Cypriots attend church during morning and evening services. And already on Thursday, preparations for the celebration begin, the hostesses bake Easter cakes and bread, as well as the famous cheese pie. A holiday in Cyprus is not complete without colored eggs.

North Cyprus Holidays

As in sunny Greece, and in the southern part of the country, the calendar of celebrations is full of bright events. Since the northern part was occupied by Turkish invaders, many holidays in Cyprus were transferred from the eastern country.

May 19 - Youth and Sports Day.

The name does not suggest tragic thoughts, but the celebration is dedicated to the liberation of cities such as Anatolia and Istanbul during the Turkish war. During the festive ceremony, competitions are held among young people from all over Cyprus. The program includes both the Olympic Games and those invented specifically for this day.

November 15 - Day of the northern part of the country.

Although the Republic of TurkeyNorthern Cyprus is not recognized by most modern states, the holiday in honor of its foundation still exists.

During your vacation in a paradise country, you should find out what holiday is in Cyprus today, so as not to miss the brightest events.