If you ever find yourself in Cyprus during the celebrations of Tsiknopempti, you will be very surprised. On this day, the whole island is filled with the smell of roasting meat, barbecues are everywhere and every Cypriot becomes a professional barbecue master!
What is Tsiknopempti?
At first glance, Tsiknopempti (Τσικνοπέμπτη) sounds like an ancient incantation, but it's actually much simpler than that. The name of the holiday is made up of two Greek words: cykna (τσίκννα), which is the smoke of roasted meat that literally covers Cyprus from above for a day, and pempti (πέμπτη), which is Thursday. In Russian, Tsiknopempti means 'Smoky Thursday' (something like the Greek equivalent of Maslenitsa, but instead of pancakes - kilos of meat).
The word is fully justified. This day is one of the most important milestones of the Apokryes carnival season, when people say goodbye to meat in a royal way, as a strict fast lies ahead. Cypriots organise a real feast on 'Smoky Thursday' so that they don't want to eat meat for at least a week (or better - two weeks!).
History of the holiday
Tsiknopempti is not just a day of eating delicious meat and merrymaking, but an ancient tradition that dates back to antiquity. The holiday combines pagan rituals, Christian customs and the Cypriots' inexhaustible love for delicious food.
Even in ancient times, people held great feasts in honour of the gods, especially before important events or changes in the life of society. Festivals dedicated to Dionysus, the god of wine and merriment, were accompanied by lavish feasts, music and, of course, roast meat. In those days, meat was considered a precious treat not available to everyone, so before important religious fasts people tried to enjoy the taste of their favourite dishes to the full. Huge pieces of meat were roasted on fire and the air was filled with appetising smoke - this is how the forerunner of Tsiknopempti came into being.
With the advent of Christianity in Byzantium and Cyprus, the traditions of the ancient feasts did not disappear, but were transformed. In Cyprus, Ciknopempti became part of the carnival period. This day falls in the second week of the Apocalypse, known as 'Meat Week', when believers are supposed to abstain from meat and prepare for a strict fast.
A logical question arises: why do Cypriots celebrate Tsiknopempti on Thursday and not on any other day? The fact is that Wednesday and Friday are fasting days in the Orthodox tradition, and Thursday has become an ideal option for the last meat feast before the restrictions.
How is Tsiknopempti celebrated in Cyprus?
Tsiknopempti is the only day of the year when all Cypriot HEAVENS don't abide by diet and proper nutrition. And the smoke is not a cause for alarm, but the best navigator, leading you safely to the place where delicious souvla, cheftalia and other meat specialities are roasted.
On this day, even those who don't know how to cook turn the spits with an important look. Friends and colleagues gather to grill together, then eat meat and drink local wine (and how could they not?), discuss life, politics, the latest APOEL match and the neighbour's cat who also wants souvla. But it's not all about feasting. Cypriot towns organise street parties with music, people dressing up in funny costumes, dancing and singing. There are also competitions to see who can eat the most meat (or who can eat the most).
What do Cypriots eat on Smoky Thursday?
Tsiknopempti is the day when meat rules the roost. Cypriot cuisine is so rich in meat dishes that it's impossible to choose just one. The top 5 delicacies without which Ciknopempti just wouldn't happen are
- Souvla - large pieces of pork or lamb roasted on a spit.
- Sheftalia - juicy meat sausages wrapped in fat that literally melt in your mouth.
- Lukaniku - rustic sausages marinated in wine and heavily spiced with coriander.
- Kleftiko - lamb baked in a special oven for so long that the meat falls off the bone just by looking at it.
- Halloumi is a famous Cypriot cheese that is grilled.
You can add some salad for balance, but let's be honest - who cares on this day anyway? Leave room for dessert too - loukoumades (little doughnuts in honey) deserve special attention, even on Meat Thursday!
How do you survive Tsiknopempti without damaging your stomach?
After such a big feast, there is a danger of "drowning" in the consequences of the gastronomic marathon. I offer you a few lifehacks to help you enjoy your holiday without harming your body (well, almost):
- Prepare your stomach beforehand - it's better to eat something light for breakfast than to plunge headlong into a meat maelstrom.
- Drink more water - this will help with the thirst after a lot of salt and spices.
- Don't be afraid to move around - dancing or going for a walk after dinner will help avoid a 'meat coma'.
- Don't panic if the smell of smoke lingers for a few days - it's just the aroma of holiday, it's inevitable.
Tsiknopempti isn't just a food festival, it's a day when families, friends and whole streets come together to enjoy good food, good company and a great atmosphere. So if you are in Cyprus on this day, follow the smell of the smoke, sit down at the table and enjoy a feast that is sure to be unforgettable!
Καλή όρεξη! (Enjoy your meal!)
Read also:
