The Royal Apollonia in house magazine (issue 3, summer 2017) (issue 3, summer 2017) | Page 35

Music, Dance and Wine:
The Wine Festival of Limassol
Besides the multitude of religious
traditions and customs that have their
roots in the Greek Orthodoxy, Cyprus
has a variety of traditions that are
strongly related to music, dancing and
wine.
So, besides celebrations like Christ-
mas or Easter, one of the most impor-
tant Cypriot traditions is the Wine Fes-
tival of Limassol. There are many other
festivals as well.
The festival takes place every year in
September, when locals in traditional
costumes, as well as travellers, can
enjoy ten days of music, dancing and
free-flowing wine.
Ten Days of Colourful
Parties: The Limassol
Carnival Festival
The wine festival is only one of the
important Cypriot events hosted by
Limassol.
Known as one of the most notable
carnival events, the Limassol Carnival
Festival is an annual event that takes
place 12 days before the Christian
season of Lent, on Sunday before Ash
Monday.
Even though it now is an entertain-
ing event, according to the Cypriot
beliefs, this is an old custom traced to
pagan rituals. They say the tradition
began as an ancient Greek festival in
honour of Dionysus, the god of wine.
In present, the Limassol Carnival
Festival is represented by 10 days of
wearing colourful costumes, singing,
dancing, eating and drinking. It is also
seen as the chance for people to express
hope and faith towards having a good
year.
An Abundance
of Beer Events:
The Limassol Beer Festival
Even though local people believe
that wine is their national drink, trav-
ellers who visit Limassol during sum-
mer can enjoy the Limassol Beer Festi-
val, another celebration that became a
fantastic national holiday.
The festival normally lasts for three
days which is full of singing, dancing,
and of course, a variety of interesting
beer events.
Though Cypriots are famous for their
delicious wine, their breweries also be-
came well-known and beer is now ex-
ported in many corners of the world. ■
T H E R O YA L A P O L L O N I A M A G A Z IN E • 2017 summer edition
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