The Royal Apollonia (issue 4, 2018) The Royal Apollonia (issue 4, 2018) | Page 28

CALEN D AR EVENTS IN CYPRUS C ALE N DAR 2018 July 14th duration of the festival. The event is one of the biggest music festivals in Cyprus. The KEO Open Golf Event LOCATION: Kornos forest, Larnaca. www.larnakaregion.com www.2017.afrobananarepublic.com This annual golf tournament hosted by the Cyprus Gold Federation is open to both members and non-members, and will feature a first, second, and third place winner. Registration fees are levied at €1 and €35 for members and non-mem- bers respectively, and the deadline for registration is the 7th of July. August 8th — ​August 15th Feast of the Dormition of the Theokotos www.cgf.org.cy/cgf-calendar 2018 July Koumandaria Festival Come and join Cyprus to celebrate the oldest named wine in the world, in the beautiful and history-filled city of Limas- sol. The 14 villages of the Koumandaria region all come together to showcase the art of making the oldest wine in the world. The Commandaria museum in Zoopigi village will be a good place to start, to know the history behind this legendary “wine of Kings and the king of wines” as named by King Richard the Lionheart in 1191. 28 2018 July 20th — ​July 22nd The Afrobanana Festival Awarded an EFFE, as one of the most prestigious festivals in Europe, the Afro- banana festival showcases local artists and talents in music, and other arts. Local cui- sine, food and art stalls, camping and other outdoor activities will all feature over the Aphrodite Opera Festival Kypria Festival Larnaca Biennale This annual festival under the pa- tronage of the Ministry of Education and Culture, unites the wonderful talents of local Cypriot dance, music, theatre and art, with those from Greece and other countries to showcase beauty in the arts. The festival is held through all major towns of the island. The district of Larnaca will, for the first time ever host the inaugural Fine Arts Biennale. The one of a kind event and first ever in Cyprus will bring to- gether artists from all over the world as they exhibit their art to the people of Cyprus and the world, in a city whose rich history and culture is as old as time. Come and witness art take life. Another of the great Cyprus festivals is the Opera, often featuring an international cast. Set around Paphos Castle by the harbour, this is the highlight of the year for some people. Some years this event can fall in August so do check the calendar to see when it is being held. As always, 4VI- PTour is on callfor transportation. www.kypria.org.cy To know more, call: +357 22800985 LOCATION: Kiti village, Larnaca For more Information, call +357 24422233 2018 September 2nd Aphrodite Festival 2018 October 23rd 2018 August and September The Aphrodite festival spills into the month of September, and delivers more awesome opera performances Greek National Day/ Ochi Day Limassol Wine Festival 2018 October 1st Independence Day Cyprus International Food Festival This mega showcase of Cypriot cuisine and some of the more traditional and cultural ties between the various cuisines in Cyprus, from the Mediterranean to the Far East. Hosted by the Interior Minister of Cyprus, the event is sure to be a de- lectable mouthful. www.cyprusinternationalfoodfestival.com This 10-day long annual event of even- ing fun and frolic in August and Septem- ber is open to one and all. 15,000+ visitors come to the Festival, pay an entry free, and drink as much free wine as they wish. Transportation from other major cities is free. Local transportation can be made available by 4VIPTour. The site is domi- nated by the 7m tall ‘The Vraga Man’, a Cypriot winegrower. Festivities include traditional music, bouzouki, singing, danc- ing, Cypriot food priced cheaply, fire- works displays and treading of the grapes. LOCATION: Limassol Municipal Gardens www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/wine www.the-real-cyprus.com/limassol-wine- festival.html T H E R O YA L A P O L L O N I A M A G A Z IN E • 2018 edition 2018 September 27th — 30th Agia Napa Festival The first ever of its kind took place in1985 and since then the Agia Napa fes- tival hasn’t looked back. One of the most famous resorts of the island hosts one the most anticipated annual event of the year, which usually takes advantage of the World Tourism Day to make a mega event that highlights the tradition and culture of the people of Ayia Napa and Cyprus. A great time is guaranteed and you won’t leave without feeling the warmth and leg- endary Filoxenia!!of the people. LOCATION: Ayia Napa, Famagusta www.ayianapa.org.cy For more Information, call: +357 23816307 LOCATION: Municipal Gallery, Larnaca Pierides Museum, Larnaca House of Arts and Literature, Larnaca www.biennalelarnaca.com The Greek national day is celebrated as well in Cyprus, also known as the Ochi Day, it celebrates the ironclad will of Greek Prime Minister Loannis Metax- as who held his ground against Italian dictator Mussolini, in 1940 when the dic- tator demanded that he grant passage to the incoming Axis forces of Italy or face war. The answer of the Prime Minister was an emphatic and legendary “Ochi!” This led to a subsequent attack by Italy and a heroic defense of the Pindus moun- tain by Hellenic forces. Grand parades always take place, by the military and students, and most public buildings are decorated with the Greek flag. LOCATION: Medieval Castle, Paphos For more information, call: +357 26822218 2018 September 8th — ​Sunday 9th Amathusia Festival July 2018 – June 2019 2018 October 17th — ​November LOCATION: Paphos www.the-real-cyprus.com/ cyprus-festivals.html 2018 July LOCATION: Agora ruins, Amathus. For more information, AgiosTychonas Community Board: (+357) 2532 3567 2018 September — ​October This national holiday is celebrated to mark the death of Mary of Theotokos, mother of God. Originally a celebration by the Orthodox churches, the day festival has become synonymous to the whole island. LOCATION: All of Cyprus, and Limassol. A free for all festival patronized by the Ministry of Education and Culture and showcases one of the great relics from the city’s past and the great sanctuary of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Expect a plethora of artists, bands, dance groups, and string quartets, from all over Cyprus and Europe. 2018 August 31st This day in the year 1960, was the day Cyprus became an independent, democratic, sovereign state. A day of pride and liberation, a largemilitary parade, followed by a unique open cer- emony at the President’s Palace, takes place. After a brutal war which lasted over three years, the EOKA finally forced the hand of the British and a cease fire in 1960 ultimately meant it was time to give the people what they craved most, freedom. At the stroke of midnight on the 1st of October 1960, the deed was done, an agreement between Greece, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, made Cyprus an independent country, with the heroic Archbishop Makarios III becoming the first ever President of the island. LOCATION: All of Cyprus. T H E R O YA L A P O L L O N I A M A G A Z IN E • 2018 edition LOCATION: All of Cyprus. 2018 November Wine Month The Cyprus Tourism Organization (CTO) has declared the month of No- vember as the wine month this 2018 and is welcoming all lovers of wine, connoisseurs and enthusiasts to join this month-long festival that will detail the history of wine in Cyprus. Using “Wine Routes”, the CTO has traced out seven routes through the Cypriot countryside, with sign posts on designated locations, where visitors can go in and experience eve rything wine. LOCATION: All of Cyprus www.visitcyprus.com ⇢ 29