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Cyprus Events 2011
January
Epiphany Day
6 January
Epiphany is a Greek word meaning 'to manifest'. It is a public holiday in Cyprus and is celebrated thought the Cyprus with special ceremonies and contests.
Epiphany falls on the last day of the twelve days of Christmas (starting on Christmas day and ending on Epiphany). Many municipalities in Cyprus have events taking place on this day:-
Ayia Napa
Larnaca
Limassol
Paphos
Polis
http://www.guide2cyprus.com/events/164/Epiphany-Day---Cyprus-Public-Holiday
February
Carnival
21 February – 6 March 2011
Carnival in Cyprus means a near two-week period of celebrations with a focus on food, before the 50 days of Easter. Limassol hosts the most popular celebration, while Larnaca and Paphos offer impressive parades and fancy dress balls.
The first week is Meat Week (Kreatini), the last week to eat as much meat as you can before Easter. The second week is known as the cheese week (Tyrini). Accompanying all the eating are the entrance of King Carnival, the Children's Carnival Parade, the Serenaders' Parade and the Grand Carnival Parade of chariots and groups.
http://www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/carnival/eng/index.html
CyprusSunshine Cup
20 February – 6 March 2011
Sunshine Cup is the opener of the European racing season every year. Riders from all over the world gather in the Island for their last and most important preparation before the World Cup season starts. Participation in the races with combination of a training camp in Cyprus, is a «must» for many international Elite Mountain bikers. Racing courses suitable to challenge the riders‘ fitness and readiness for the new season is the character of the Cyprus Sunshine Cup. Highlight of the Cup is the Afxntia Stage Race that takes place every year on the last weekend of February in Macheras Forest. Well know riders enjoy this 3 day stage race as it is a Real mountain bike race. A combination of the picturesque scenery of the surrounding area and the challenging courses constitute a complete package for the participants.
http://sunshine.mtbcyprus.com/
March
Troodos International Ski Competition
March 2011 (Every year)
Sunny Cyprus seems like the last place for a skiing competition, yet up in the mountains the Troodos International Ski Competition challenges skiers with a Slalom and Giant Slalom race. The competition is under the auspices of the International Ski Federation.
http://www.cyprusski.com/MAIN/default.aspx
CyprusMarathon
13 March 2011
Cyprus Marathon is an event that has grown bigger and better over the years and it is now recognized as the major road race in Cyprus. The international event which is held at the historic city of Paphos is renowned for being as much a social event as a running event. Hoards of runners from all over Europe annually leave the northern winters behind and gather at Paphos to enjoy the company of like-minded people and race against a varied field of competitors. The event incorporates three different distances: Marathon, Half Marathon and the 10 km Road Race. All participants will receive a souvenir T-shirt and a specially designed finisher’s medal. Marathon event finishers will also receive an exclusive Race Certificate. Trophies will be awarded in 50 different age group categories and for the first three teams over all in the Marathon distance.
http://www.cyprusmarathon.com/index1.htm
April
Berengaria International Music Festival
April 2011 (Every year)
The Berengaria International Music Festival, at the Rialto Theatre, brings chamber and solo music to Limassol. Established in 2003, the festival has captivated the Cypriot audience with artists from 15 countries playing music of diverse styles and from different periods.
International artists unite to introduce an assortment of classical music dedicated to novices and connoisseurs alike.
http://www.festivalberengaria.com/
Street Life Festival
April 2011 (Every year)
Graffiti artists, skateboarders and beat boys take over the historical centre of Limassol for the Street Life Festival. Walls are transformed into a huge canvas and everyone is encouraged to celebrate the taboo and usually undercover art of graffiti.
There are activities for young and old alike, including body painting, face painting, and chalk drawing on the road. Graffiti artist Paparazzi creates a huge piece of art on a building to emphasize that graffiti is art and not just a name tag sprayed on a wall.
Other pillars of street culture like skateboarding and BMX tricks are also on display. Various bands, DJs, MCs and dancers perform throughout the day.
The festival takes place between Saripolou and Athenon Street.
May
CyprusSeniors Tennis Cup
May 2011 (Every year)
Larnaca Tennis Club plays host to the Cyprus Seniors Tennis Cup, organized by the Cyprus Tennis Federation. Competitions are held for men, women, mixed, singles and doubles over the course of a week.
Kataklysmos
May 2011 (Every year)
A unique Cypriot celebration, Kataklysmos, the Festival of the Flood, coincides with (Greek) Pentecost and is marked by festivities at all seaside towns. The most popular custom involves throwing water at one another, symbolising the purification of the body and soul.
The festival begins with an ecclesiastical ceremony. The priest hurls a cross into the sea and the diver who brings it up receives a blessing and a sovereign, which marks the start of the rest of the festivities.
Events in Agia Napa, Limassol, Paphos and Polis are among the most popular and may well last for a few extra days - depending on the town. Expect folk dances, boat and swimming races, swimming competitions, wrestling, canoe-races and the bellowing of songs such as tchattista, which are improvised verses sung by competing parties.
June
XIII Games of the Small States of Europe
June 2011 (Every year)
It's hard to win big when you're a little state, so this summer smaller countries meet in Cyprus for the XIII Games of the Small States of Europe. Eight states participate in this mini Olympic-style competition that has been around since 1985.
Participating countries must have a population of fewer than 1 million and an autonomous National Olympic Committee that is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The lucky states matching these criteria are Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Malta and San Marino. The Games are held in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Olympic Charter and are sponsored by the European Olympic Committees.
These mini Olympics attract huge crowds and around 900 athletes who sweat it out in 11 sports including favorites such as athletics, gymnastics, shooting, beach volleyball and sailing.
July
Rock Pissouri
July 2011 (Every year)
The little village of Pissouri loves to rock every year on one hot summer night. Staged in the village's outdoor amphitheatre, with a spectacular view, this small but extremely dedicated festival is ideal for music lovers.
Festival of Ancient Greek Drama
July 2011 (Every year)
The glory of ancient Greek drama is revived at the Ancient Odeon of Paphos (and other venues around Cyprus) with a month-long festival. The programme includes performances of comedies and tragedies by theatre companies from around the world.
August
AgrosVillageFestival
August 2011 (Every year)
Every summer, the village of Agros celebrates its uniqueness with a two-day festival, offering the chance to sample local food, wine and live music as well as the numerous rose-derived products that make the village so well-known. Agros is known for its rosewater, rose liqueur, rose brandy, rose perfumes and aromatic rose candles - all made using traditional methods from the locally grown flowers.
September
The Wine Festival
September 2011 (Every year)
During the first quarter of September, the great Wine Festival of Cyprus takes place in the Municipal Garden of Limassol. During the festival the visitor has the chance to taste some of the best Cyprus wines, which are offered free of charge. On some evenings, various groups from Cyprus and abroad perform folk dancing and there are also choirs and others.
http://www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/wine/
October
6th Cyprus Autumn Historic Car Rally
15 – 16 October 2011
International Historic Car Rally gives you a chance to see historic cars competing once in the streets of Cyprus. The event has been taking place in Cyprus for about two decades and always attracts plenty of spectators of all ages, locals and foreigners.
The old cars compete on the streets of Larnaca, Limassol, Paphos and Nicosia. The participants are cars manufactured before 1982. The oldest car which took part in the Historic Rally is a Ford model A made in 1931. Historic Car Rally is a part of FIA Historic Rally Championship and is organized by the Cyprus Automobile Association (CAA) and is sponsored by the Cyprus Tourism Organization. Participants include drivers from all over the world and, of course, Cyprus.
November
Cyprus Aphrodite Half Marathon
November 2011 (Every year)
The annual Cypriot Aphrodite Half Marathon takes runners along the coast around Paphos. Less experienced runners tackle the 5km fun run. Bands entertain during and after the races and free beer, wine, juice and fresh fruit are served at the finish.
Entry forms can be found on the runners' club website.
