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.
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 razzle-dazzle. 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.