Cypriots are very proud of their cultural heritage, which stretches back more than 9,000 years. It's probably no surprise with a history so long, that Cyprus is remarkably rich in culture.
Cypriot culture is reflected in the rich folk art. Age- old crafts, handed down from generation to generation, are faithfully carried out to this day by skillful hands and nimble fingers, fashioning handcrafts that would grace any home.
Тhe Limassol Carnival
Many Cyprus folk traditions, such as the Carnival and Kataklysmos have overtones of ancient themes. Carnival Festivities take place 50 days before Greek Christian Orthodox Easter and is the beginning of Lent, a period of fasting before Easter. The centre of Carnival festivities is Limassol, but some festivities take place in Larnaka and Pafos also.
Anthestiria - Flower Festival takes place in May. "Anthestiria" was organized in Athens in honor of the God Dionysos, the divine protector of the theatre. They were the festival of souls and plants celebrating the rebirth of man and nature. Nature beauty is celebrated during the flower festival.
"Anthestiria" - Flower Festival
Every September the Wine Festival takes place in Limassol, a tribute to the fruit of the vine as it grows and thrives in Cyprus. Thousands of foreign tourists are attracted every year to Limassol, in its Municipal Garden, to participate in the "Wine Festival."
The Festival does not have "spectators" but active participants - to banish every care of life, free from social conventions and formalities, to feel comfort and freedom in this atmosphere which is created by the charismatic influence of wine. When you drink the Cypriot wine you infuse into your being the rays of the sun, the breath of the breeze, the lucidity of the atmosphere, the fascination of the land and the sky of Cyprus.
Cyprus also has rich musical and dance traditions quite distinctive from those of Greece. Instruments that typically accompany folk dances are:
Cyprus folk dances are the expression of feelings, thoughts and enjoyment of Cyprus people. Cypriot dances are mainly of the type performed by a confronted pair, invariably two men or two women, or men's solo dances displaying virtuosity and often performed with a hand-held object, either a sickle, knife, sieve, or tumbler.
