My World

Carnival in Greece and Cyprus rimes with  celebration - a chance to escape everyday routine and enter a world of party, fantasy, high jinks and 'kefi' - high spirits - a feast of dance, wine and meat before the fasting of Lent  Karnavali or Apokries ( the carnival) started in ancient Greece and was believed to be an act of worship for Dionysos, the God of Wine and Feast.  In the Greek Orthodox tradition, Apokries is the preparation period before Lent. Apokries means literally saying goodbye to meat ... Apohi apo kreas -  apo-kreas.  The English word Carnival derived from Latin and has the same meaning : " carne'' =meat and  "vale"  - goodbye. Apokries runs for 3 weeks preceding the First Day of Lent, which is today. The Greek Orthodox observe 40 days to Easter Day - called "sarakosti". Hence the wish all the Greeks exchange this festive weekend : "Kali Saracosti" (Happy Lent) Today  is   'Kathara Deftera' (Green or Clean ...

Funky Nurse in 2006 The Limassol Carnival is one of the most important events i Cyprus, related to the Dionysian Festivals of the classicalantiquity. It is a joyful and colourful event that attracts both young and old, locals and visitors, making Limassol the carnival centre of Cyprus. The festivities begin on Shrove Thursday or Tsiknopempti (February 28th) with the entrance of King Carnival in town. Limassol Municipality organizes various events such as open-air parties, children’s parades and serenaders evenings. Τhe Grand Carnival Parade on Sunday, March 10, is the culmination of the carnival events. It will start at 13.00 from St. Nicholas roundabout and will proceed along Makarios III Avenue. via www.cyprusevents.net In Nicosia where I was born and reared, the Carnival was certainly not as popular as it has been for years in Limassol. As a child, I never used to dress up or go to fancy dress parties. Having been to the Carnival in Limassol about 10 years ago, I had so...