Cyprus Culture

The carnivals are over and Lent is almost over – a 40 day fasting period of no meat, poultry or dairy products is near the end. The bakeries accommodate those who fast by adding dairy-free, egg-free and meat-free pastries and cookies to their already vast array of goodies. Generally, fasting is followed more strictly in the villages of Cyprus than in the towns, but most restaurants and takeaways also...

April 1st marks the independence of Cyprus from British colonial rule. EOKA started a guerrilla-style campaign against British colonial rule, which was aimed at self-determination and union with Greece, on April 1, 1955.  It is also known as EOKA Day and falls on April Fools Day or  "All Fools Day." Students from all over Cyprus attend church services on this day.  It is also a bank holiday so many...

Saint Patrick's Day is coming up this Thursday, March 17th. Saint Patrick was the most commonly recognized of the patron saints of Ireland and even though the day is a religious holiday it has become more of a secular celebration of the Irish culture. And although it is not a public holiday like it is in Ireland and a few other countries there are still many parties, parades, festivities, and green...

Green Monday is a public holiday in Cyprus and Greece and it signifies the beginning of Lent and fasting before Easter - no meat products are consumed until Easter Sunday. After the costume parties, street parades and festivities that took place throughout Cyprus, Green Monday is a day where families and friends gather outdoors with a feast of traditional fasting foods such as a variety of fresh vegetables...

Cyprus has many holidays and the next one is upon us, Cyprus Independence Day. The holiday is celebrated on the 1st of October every year.  Cyprus became an independent country after a four-year war from 1955 until 1959 against the British. Cyprus was a former British colony between 1878 until 1960. The island actually gained its Independence on August 16th,1960 although it is celebrated on the 1st of...

It is almost that time of the year again, the annual wine festival held in Limassol. (Lemesos) is known as the party city of Cyprus and when you visit the wine festival you will see why! It is also Cyprus’s wine capital and has hosted the annual event every year since 1961. This popular festival is held at the Municipal Gardens which is right on the promenade, (and also where the much-debated...

The carnivals are over and Lent is underway – a 40 day fasting period of no meat, poultry or dairy products. The bakeries accommodate those who fast by adding dairy-free, egg-free and meat-free pastries and cookies to their already vast array of goodies. Generally, fasting is followed more strictly in the villages of Cyprus than in the towns, but most restaurants and takeaways also add fasting dishes to...

By: Patricia Winter   - Which one of the following would you prefer 1) a “grab and go” high fat/high sugar meal from one of the many fast food places around or 2) a delicious, healthy and freshly prepared meal? I believe that I can guess which one most of us would choose – the second. A few weeks ago we discovered Dori’s, a Lebanese takeaway that had recently opened in Paphos and...

Carnival time in Cyprus is nearly here!  From the 1st until the 4th of February the Town Crier will be announcing the Carnival’s arrival all around Limassol. Carnival was celebrated in ancient Greece and organized in honor of the god Dionysos. Ancient Greeks got dressed in various costumes, wore masks, played games and had feasts that lasted for days. The custom and tradition is still going strong...

“Concrete Jungle” is a description of Peyia that I have heard on a number of occasions from many expats.  I do not agree with them at all. As a matter of fact, I think the need for growth is tremendous.  At first, I thought the reference was funny and it brought back memories from 1985 when I worked in the “Cabrini Greens” housing projects in the Near North Side of Chicago, only 100 meters...