Paphos Seasonal Events
Paphos’ rich cultural heritage has been the center of this town’s annual event attractions. The wide variety of events throughout the year keeps the locals and tourists entertained. In other places surrounding Paphos, they also take part in sharing some colour to these events as many tourists flock to Paphos. In fact during the month of February, the Limassol Carnival, which is being held in a town near Paphos, is very popular because of it’s similarity to Mardi Gras.
The month of March is the time for sports and games all around Paphos. The locals organize an annual marathon event which is both enjoyed by participants and expectators alike. The Classical Games event is a one day celebration commemorating the ancient Olympic Games which originated from ancient Greece.
May is the month of Anthestiria Flower Festival in Paphos. This is the way they celebrate spring and rebirth of nature. The Poseidon Avenue in Paphos will be filled with flower floats and people carrying beautiful fresh flowers on the annual parade of Anthestiria Flower Festival.
photo credit: Crossing Sparks
When June arrives, a week-long celebration called Kataklysmos is celebrated by all seaside towns of Cyprus and that includes Paphos as well. It is also otherwise known as Festival of the Flood. It has been said that the great flood which cleansed mankind of its sins and enabled new life on earth is the reason for this celebration. The Cypriots also incorporated the birth of Aphrodite from the waves of the sea as a part of this annual celebration.
Summer in Cyprus brings a seemingly endless program of concerts and festivals with most towns and villages putting on some kind of musical event over the summer months. In Paphos, there are several concerts to choose from in the month of July. Concert for the Youth is, as the name implies, aimed at the younger generation and is a popular annual event held at Castle Square in Kato Paphos.
The annual Arkadia Festival is celebrated in August and it aims to entertain the locals as well as show the tourists with the traditional Cypriot hospitality by using live music, traditional dancing, and great food which the region is known for. This month usually marks the time when the tourist population begins to increase because of another upcoming festival Paphos is most popular for.
The most popular event all over Paphos is the Aphrodite Festival, an annual opera festival which takes place at the Castle Square in September. This is the grand event throughout the year and tourists during this time pour from every country to watch the significant event. Each year the Aphrodite Festival portrays different stories from plays, musicales, and even ballet performances.
Aside from its scenic views and historical sites, Paphos is also home to some of the much-awaited events all over Cyprus. In the busiest months of the year, you will need to book your reservations in advance to enjoy the delights of Paphos’ rich culture and heritage.
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Sandra Said,
July 8, 2009 @ 12:51 pm
I so enjoyed the Paphos Festival last year and the production of Madam Butterfly that I booked the same two weeks this year only to find the festival has moved a weekend and I shall be at home.
I am very disappointed about this – can anyone tell me why this is?