4 in 1 Party

Kataklysmos is a unique Cypriot holiday. We know for sure that it celebrates the Christian Pentecost, but it somehow rolls in Aphrodite and Adonis, the myth of Deukalion, and either the start or finish of Noah's cruise. We don't understand any more than this, and neither do any of the Cypriots we talked to. It's a great party!


Parade Only the costal cities celebrate and we went to Larnaca. The three days of celebration started with a parade. Here is the marching band. We watched across from the reviewing stand which included a couple of politicians and the bishop standing on a riser one step above the street.

The next group were women in traditional costumes. They were followed by 3 or 4 more groups in different traditional costumes and one final drum and bugle corps. Then came the fireworks.


Entertainment There was entertainment on two stages. We are told that the classic performances are poetry competitions, but on the night we were there, traditional dancers were highlighted. Here teenage boys perform an energetic dance. The girls performed a much more delicate routine.

Snacks Where's the cotton candy? Corn dogs? Carmel apples? The healthy Cypriots had huge food booths devoted to dried fruits and nuts! The long candle-looking treats are traditional shousoukou. They are made by stringing walnuts or almonds onto a "wick" and then repeatedly dipping it in grape molasses. Tasty!


Booths There were carnival rides and plenty of game booths, but also several demonstrations of traditional crafts, including basketry, ironmongering, handmade brooms ... . This man was making bouzoukis, classic Cypriot stringed instruments heard in most traditional songs.


Morning After After a night of revelry we breakfasted on a classic halloumi / tomato / cucumber sandwich and black coffee.