Carnival in Cyprus

Carnival is a worldwide celebration in which people get dressed in costumes and have fun.

Carnival was being celebrated in ancient Greece. Celebrations were being organized in honor of god Dionissos. Ancient Greeks got dressed in various costumes, wore masks and had fun in feasts for days.

We, the Greek-Cypriots of Cyprus, kept this custom and after christianism ruled our island at the first century A.C. Carnival was associated with the beginning of the fasting of the Easter. Carnival was called “Apokries” which means in greek “without meat”. Carnival was celebrated with feasts and traditional games. In addition people got dressed in costumes and wore masks in order to scare others.

Today we celebrate Carnival almost the same as in the old days. We get dressed in costumes, we wear masks, we go to Halloween parties and we play traditional games. The photos following are from our class, playing some traditional games in the yard of our school.

Egg racing

Jumping with a rope

In addition, carnival parades are being organized in all towns of Cyprus. The best carnival parade is being organized at the town of Limassol.

We love carnival very much, because we wear various costumes and we have a lot of fun.