Colors of Larnaca - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Travelers appreciate amazingly welcoming and friendly atmosphere of Larnaca. Residents of the city treat tourists with respect and interest; they are always easy to get in touch. You can talk with locals about anything. Thus, the seller in one of the local shops can ask tourists about their place of residence and activities, and small restaurant owner would be glad to represent culinary traditions and all the subtleties of the local gastronomy.

Natives believe wine to be their national drink; it has being produced here following the unique recipe for several centuries. Wine can be named one of the top national treasures; without this drink any meal is impossible, and, especially, the festive one. Foreigners often compare the local cuisine to Arabic, as some sorts of meat delicacies, among which shish kebab is the most popular, are also common here.

Locals are very laborous, but they also celebrate bright holidays. During the year, a lot of interesting events are held in Larnaca. Many of those celebrations extend back for more than one hundred years. In May, the Festival of Flowers is traditionally held. For a few days the city transforms into a huge fragrant garden. The festival is celebrated with ceremonial parades and musical performances, as well as various exhibitions. Florists represent their achievements to an audience; during the holiday a fair is held; there you can buy seeds of your favorite flowers. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

At the end of January, a Festival of Oranges is usually held. It is an authentic event that is accompanied by a number of interesting attractions. Kataklysmos is also an interesting event; this holiday is usually held in the beginning of June. Children particularly love this festival, because the main celebratory ritual is pouring water.

Mass celebrations usually take place on beaches; everyone can take sprinklers and go to the beach that turns into fun center. Exhibitions and fairs are waiting for those, who are tired of water activities. During the festival, water sports competitions are held. As for religious holidays, then Easter is the most important event for Christians. However, Muslim holidays are celebrated by lots of citizens. The largest ones are Festival of Sacrifice and Ramadan Bayram.

Many tourists tend to visit Larnaca in the second summer month - the thing is that colorful events take place here throughout the month: dance, theatrical and musical performances, art exhibitions, and all this happens on the stages of historic buildings of the medieval fort (Μεσαιωνικό Κάστρο) and the ancient amphitheater (Παττίεεεο Δημοττ μφιθα). This is one of the best festivals, the purpose of which is to demonstrate the local culture, and there is probably nothing more enjoyable than getting to know it through this particular event. The festival is participated by both local artists and those from other countries, while the core focus of the festival is still on the local culture.

In the same hot July, they hold another interesting event attracting hundreds of gourmets from around the world - namely, the Cyprus International Food Festival. Culinary competitions, master classes, tastings are organized within the framework of one event. At this time, eminent chefs prepare both traditional Cypriot dishes and dishes from European countries. A special feature of the gastronomic festival is an interesting Junior Chef program allowing young and talented chefs (from 16 to 23 years old) to show off all their culinary skills. The festival is not limited to Larnaca: Paphos is the venue in June and Nicosia takes over the baton in September. Europe Square (Πλατεα Ευρώπης) was chosen as the venue for the festival in Larnaca.

Among other religious holidays that are widely celebrated in the city, it is worth noting Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. The holiday is of special importance for townspeople because St. Lazarus is considered the patron saint of Larnaca, and its most significant religious landmark is the Cathedral of St. Lazarus (Ιερός Ναός Αγίου Λαζάρου). It is here that solemn divine services take place, olive and palm branches are brought here to the tomb of the saint. It is believed that St. Lazarus lived in Larnaca (or rather, in Kition, as the city was once called) for thirty years after his resurrection. On the holiday dedicated to him, local people bake sweet spice breads “Lazarakia” and decorate their houses and streets with flowers of symbolic significance - gladioli and yellow daisies.

Among other widely celebrated holidays are the Epiphany festival that falls on January 6, Green Monday (the first day of Great Lent), Good Friday, and, of course, Christmas. National holidays of Cyprus celebrated in Larnaca include April 1 dedicated to the struggle of the Greek Cypriots against the British Empire, October 1, Cyprus Independence Day, and October 28, Ohi Day commemorating the resistance of Greek Cypriots to the Nazi regime in 1940. All the public holidays involve military parades and musical performances. It's hard to imagine any celebration without street parities and public festivities. The most widely celebrated holiday is Independence Day that falls on the 1st of October. Greece is honored in Larnaca, people don't forget about their close relationships with the country, so on March 25, they traditionally celebrate Greek National Day.