Cyprus is a country that leaves no one indifferent.
Having visited the island of Aphrodite at least once, a tourist will always take away a piece of local culture, vitality and optimism in his heart!
History, geography and Mediterranean climate have generously awarded Cyprus with natural beauties and attractions. The sun and sea have added brightness and richness to the fireworks of colors, and mouth-watering Greek cuisine is a powerful final chord in this symphony of joy.
Cypriots like no other know how to have fun and have a good vacation. Perhaps that is why the Cypriot calendar is full of numerous holidays and festivals, which the island's population loves and celebrates them noisily and cheerfully. Fireworks, carnivals, songs, dances - all this is in the spirit of Cypriots. We can say that Cyprus in this respect is a paradise for visitors.
Holidays in Cyprus can be conventionally divided into state, religious, national and folk.
Religion in Cyprus is closely integrated, not separated from the state. Moreover, it is even officially enshrined in the Constitution of the country. About 70% of Orthodox Greek-Cypriots live in the country, so all important Christian holidays are celebrated at the state level.
Each region of the island has its own local, especially revered saints, whose memorial days are also a cause for joy. And, of course, every Cypriot village has preserved its ancient rituals and traditionally reproduces them regularly. Cypriots celebrate their weddings, christenings and birthdays in the same joyful and noisy way. Many different carnivals, festivals and festivities are organized especially for tourists. You can say that in Cyprus all year round there is a holiday atmosphere.
The holidays in Cyprus are only on very important celebrations, state, orthodox and national celebrations.
The most important of these holidays are Christmas, Easter, Independence Day and OHI Day. These days are celebrated in a special way, with solemn events, processions and public festivities. By the way, these events are also celebrated by all Cypriots including the ones living outside the island.
The new year of 2024 is just days away. The Christmas tree is dressed up, presents are bought, the menu is prepared. And that means it's time to start planning your upcoming vacations and long weekends. Especially since the coming year has prepared the inhabitants of Cyprus an impressive number of days off.
By the way, the residents of Cyprus will have a vacation in 2024:
January 1, Sunday - New Year's Day
New Year's Day in Cyprus is called St. Basil's Day, the Greek Santa Claus. Most Cypriots celebrate the holiday in a family circle, munching on souvla and Vasilopita cake. The one who comes across a coin baked into the pastry, fortune and wealth await him in the new year. The Russian-speaking population usually celebrates the New Year in restaurants and hotels, where they organize various festive events where they dance, sing, drink champagne and admire the fireworks.
January 6, Saturday - Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
A church holiday often also called Epiphany, the Feast of Theophany or Theophany. In Western Christianity, the name of the same feast comes from the Latin word Epiphania. On this day, believers remember the moment of Jesus Christ's baptism in the Jordan river. The holiday is known for the custom of competing to be the first to pull out of the water a cross thrown there.
March 18, Monday - Green Monday
Green or Clean Monday is a traditional Christian holiday, the first day of Lent, which lasts for seven weeks before the feast of Easter. Clean Monday is an official holiday in Cyprus. Traditionally, all houses are cleaned and Lagan's Lenten bread is baked, and Cypriots families go out into the countryside to fly kites into the sky. On this day it is customary to congratulate each other on the beginning of Lent with the traditional wish of Kali Sarakosti (Καλή Σαρακοστή), which means "Good Lent" in Greek.
March 25, Monday - Greek Independence Day
The national holiday of Greece, due to the historical ties between the two countries, is also celebrated in Cyprus. The meaning of the holiday is that on March 25, 1821, the Greeks rebelled and eventually got rid of the Turkish yoke. However, the liberation lasted for 10 years. Note: Greeks and Cypriots celebrate not the end of the war, but its beginning. Such are their rules!
On March 25, the whole country goes out in parades. The biggest parades are traditionally held in Nicosia. Here you can see columns of military equipment (tanks, self-propelled artillery, armored vehicles, etc.), firefighters, special forces, sailors and infantrymen marching foot in foot to the accompaniment of the orchestra. School parades are organized almost everywhere - both in big and small towns. At the head of the procession are veterans, and then Cypriots in national costumes. The procession is closed by schoolchildren.
April 1, Monday - Cyprus National Day.
On the night of March 31-April 1, 1955, the first attack on British infrastructure took place. The EOKA fighters struck four key points at once. In Nicosia, Marcos Dracos attacked a radio broadcasting station. In Larnaca, activists attacked a police station, a local administration building, a court, the residence of a police inspector and the house of the Turkish Cypriot commissioner. In Limassol, a bomb was detonated outside a police station in the Agios Ioannis neighborhood. In Famagusta, Grigoris Afxentiou detonated a bomb outside a camp warehouse and fuel tank. The Cypriots' struggle for freedom did not succeed until 1960, when the island gained independence. Every year on April 1, children and adults carry fresh flowers to the graves and monuments of the heroes who died for the freedom of Cyprus.
May 1, Wednesday - Labor Day
International day of solidarity of workers, struggle for workers' rights and demonstrations. May Day is an extraordinary day off for Cypriots to rest or do their own thing. With one exception - no labor parades are held on the island. But folk festivities and concerts are an integral part of the celebration.
May 3, Friday - Good Friday
The Friday before Easter in the Christian tradition is called Great Friday (Greek: "megali paraskevi"). On this day believers remember the crucifixion of Christ and his burial. The day of the strictest fasting before Easter is a day off in Cyprus. Thus, the government gives people, especially believers, the opportunity to prepare for the celebration.
May 6, Monday - Easter Monday
Orthodox Easter, or Resurrection Day, falls on May 5 in 2024. The Monday after Easter is traditionally a holiday in Cyprus, on which day all stores and other establishments are closed. Banks remain closed on the Tuesday after Easter.
June 24, Monday - The Day of the Holy Spirit or "Kataklysmos"
The holiday is associated with the remembrance of the Flood and the rescue of Noah. Kataklysmos takes place in all the towns of Cyprus with great fanfare. Folklore performances, games, songs and dances take place one after another. In the coastal towns there is a big fair, competitions in sea sports (traditional regatta), festive swims with prizes for the winners. In the evening, the cities are immersed in the bright light of fireworks. People disperse to exhibitions and concerts.
August 15, Thursday - Assumption of the Virgin Mary
A church holiday dedicated to the Mother of God. The veneration of the Virgin Mary is widespread in Orthodox countries, so this day is a holiday in Cyprus. This important holiday does not pass in Cyprus without festive services, a mass procession and a colorful parade to the sounds of a brass band. When the official part is over, folk festivities begin - with songs, dances and stuffed lambs. For Cypriots this period is the height of vacation, many prefer to spend their vacations in August, and on the holiday itself take part in the festivities.
October 1, Tuesday - Cyprus Independence Day
Cyprus Independence Day is celebrated on October 1. But this date is artificial. It was created solely for convenience, including in order to celebrate the state holiday No. 1 in more suitable weather, and not in the summer sun. In fact, Cyprus became a sovereign state on August 16, 1960, although the final decision to grant independence was made on February 19, 1959. October 1 is an official holiday in Cyprus. This means that government offices, banks, most private companies, stores and pharmacies do not work on the island. Public transportation works according to the weekend schedule. Every year a military parade is held in honor of Cyprus' independence. This year it will be held without spectators due to measures to combat coronavirus.
October 28, Monday - "Ohi" Day
On this day in 1940, Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas rejected the claims of Italy. The fascist regime demanded that the Greek government authorize the passage of Italian troops through its territory and give them Greek ports and airports for military operations in Africa. Metaxas answered "no" ("ohi"), which automatically triggered the start of the Greek-Italian War. Every year to commemorate the fateful response on the island are colorful processions and parades, but the liveliest celebration of the "day of refusal" in Nicosia and Limassol, where at every turn flies blue and white Greek flags.
December 25, Wednesday - Christmas
Although Cypriots are Orthodox, they celebrate Christmas together with Catholics at the end of December - according to the Gregorian calendar. Another surprise: along with the fluffy Christmas tree on the island it is customary to decorate ships with garlands. On the eve of Christmas the children come to the streets to sing carols to the melodious ringing of musical triangles and to collect sweets. The catch is serious: christopsomo pies and crispy kurabiedes cookies are baked in every house for the year ahead.
December 26, Thursday - Gift-giving Day
Agreed, there is some special meaning and inner warmth in the fact that the day after Christmas - December 26 - marks Boxing Day. During this beautiful festive season, it is nice and joyful to think of good things. Especially since for Cyprus, gift giving is an integral part of etiquette, of culture. It is worth noting that Cypriots are very fond of children. They organize charity events, thanks to which even children from the poorest families receive Christmas gifts.
It should be said that in 2024 Cypriots are waiting for six long weekends due to the fact that the holidays fall on weekdays:
- March 16-18;
- March 23-25;
- March 30-April 1;
- May 3-6;
- June 22-24;
- October 26-28.
At the same time, only two holidays will be "missing" as they fall on weekends. Unfortunately, Cyprus does not practice the postponement of holidays, so one more non-working day is not added:
- January 6, Saturday - the Feast of the Epiphany;
- Easter is May 5, Sunday.
On the other hand, Cypriot schoolchildren will have the most rest in 2024. To the above holidays they will have the weekend added on:
- January 30 - Knowledge Day (the church holiday of the Three Saints);
- June 11 - the day of commemoration of the Apostle Barnabas, the patron saint of Cyprus;
- June 13 - Ascension Day, as well as the day of the patron saint of the particular locality where the school is located.
Read also:
