| Carnival time in Cyprus is nearly here! From the | | | | other delicious sweets such as "daktyla"and |
| 1st until the 4th of February the town crier will be | | | | "kandaifi." Cheese ravioli is popular at this time and |
| announcing the Carnival's arrival all around Limassol. | | | | also a pumpkin filled pastry that is not quite as |
| Carnival was celebrated in ancient Greece and | | | | sweet as the others mentioned above. Many |
| organized in honor of the God Dionysos. Ancient | | | | Cypriots will pack a picnic on Green Monday and |
| Greeks got dressed in various costumes, wore | | | | head for the countryside where their picnic feast |
| masks, played games and had feasts that lasted | | | | will include vegetables, olives, bread, salads, local |
| for days. The custom and tradition is still going | | | | wines, beers and other drinks. You will see the |
| strong today. Carnival in Cyprus is a two-week | | | | skys filled with kites which is a site to see and |
| period of celebrations with a focus on food, | | | | island-wide tradition. |
| festivites and games before the 50 days of | | | | Carnival festivities begin on the Thursday of Meat |
| fasting before Easter. | | | | Week. Highlights of the festival include the |
| The first week of the Carnival is called Meat | | | | entrance of King Carnival, the Children's Carnival |
| Week or "Kreatini" since it is the last week for | | | | Parade, the Serenaders' Parade and the Grand |
| eating meat before Easter. The second week is | | | | Carnival Parade of chariots and groups. Festivities |
| known as Cheese week or "Tyrini." The last | | | | take place in towns all over the island, Limassol |
| Sunday of Cheese Week is the highlight of the | | | | hosts the most famous celebration and has the |
| Carnival and this year falls on Valentines Day - | | | | most festivities. Larnaca and Paphos also offer |
| February 14th. This is when the Grand Carnival | | | | impressive parades, fancy dress parties and town |
| Parade takes place in Limassol. "Green Monday" or | | | | decor. |
| also sometimes called "Clean Monday" always | | | | In Paphos, Winters Home Plaza has already |
| follows the 2 week Carnival festivites which is | | | | started getting in their Carnival Costumes. Their |
| also the first day of Lent and a National holiday in | | | | shop is great and located on the Mesogi Road on |
| Cyprus and Greece. | | | | the way to Polis. Get ready now to have some |
| During Cheese week, you will find many seasonal | | | | fun, stay safe and enjoy it! |
| and fresh specialties such as the Greek pastry | | | | Some important dates for the upcoming holidays: |
| "bourekia" which is filled with mint flavor cheese or | | | | Sunday 14th February - 1.30p.m. |