Filenews 12 February 2025 - by Ioanna Mantzipia
With the intensity of preparations reaching its peak, as only the finishing touches remain, Limassol is preparing to welcome the carnival. For about 10 days, the city will turn into an endless celebration. For the first time this year, the festive atmosphere of the carnival will be transferred to neighbourhoods and alleys of the city's neighbourhoods.
The rich program of the Limassol carnival has been published by the Municipality for days, with lovers looking forward to the events. This year, the new elements that were added stand out, such as the events on Saturdays 27/2 and 1/3 in the districts of Limassol, the workshops for the little lovers of carnival, the theatrical performances, the big concerts, but also the parades with cyclists and antique vehicles. Serenaders' groups and floats will visit districts such as Agios Antonios, Agia Fyla, Zakaki and Mesa Geitonia, throughout the events.
For the perfect organization, a large team, together with the officer of the Cultural Services of the Municipality, Skevi Antoniadou, has been working feverishly for months. Speaking to "F", Antoniadou said that this year 120 participants will parade, making this year's parade the largest so far, due to the increased participation of carnival pedestrians.
Similarly, demand in the hotel industry is also increased. According to Antoniadou, almost all hotels in Limassol are full, with carnivalists having taken care of their reservations some time in advance.
The events start on Wednesday 19/2, with the art gallery "Theomaria" hosting for the 18th consecutive year the mask exhibition of Vera Efthymiou Parlalidou. The exhibition will be inaugurated by the Mayor, followed by groups of serenaders and musicians who will make a musical tour of the narrow and romantic streets of the city, starting from the Municipal Hall.
After the morning spree of Tsiknopempti (20/2), the king of the paper war of the Limassol carnival, Vasilis Papavasiliou, will be crowned at the Administration Square. At 18:00, the Municipality in collaboration with the Union of Self-Taught Painters of Limassol, organizes a painting exhibition entitled "Carnival 2025", in which the children's and mixed choir of the Municipality of Polemidia participate. At 19:00, the Mayor, the City Council, the royal family of the carnival, the philharmonic orchestra of the Municipality, the cheerleaders of the Cyprus Guide Corps and the cheerleaders of Limassol will start from the Town Hall and head to Grigoris Afxentiou Square. At 19:30, the king of paper war will enter the city on an impressive chariot, accompanied by the Batukinio percussion group, to follow the coronation ceremony. The evening will continue with a carnival party.
The carnival will not miss the established carnival dances of Tuesday and Thursday, where the "Pellomaskas" competition will take place, giving fun and carnival mood to the participants. At the same time, events will be hosted at the Lanitis Carob Mills in the Castle.
Saturdays of events in Agia Fyla and Mesa Geitonia
On Saturday 22/2, at 12:00 noon, at Grigoris Afxentiou Square there will be a concert with distinguished musicians from Latin America and Cyprus. Earlier, at 10:00 in the morning, at the Cultural Center "Panos Solomonides" there will be a workshop for the manufacture of carnival masks and hats. The square of Agia Fyla comes alive as it will host the musical performance "Tis tavlas ta apokriatika". The cycling parade of the members of the Limassol Cycling Club also stands out.
On Saturday 1/3, at 12:00 noon, the musical-narrative fairy tale "The Crocodile at the Limassol Carnival" will be presented at the Pattichion Municipal Theatre. Then, at 13:00, at Mesa Geitonia Square, the Cultural and Dance Group "Dionysos" and the group "ANTAMA" will present a carnival feast entitled "How to rub pepper". At 15:00, the Limassol Old Car Club will hold a carnival route in the city, starting from the Enaerios parking area.
The culmination of the carnival will take place on Sunday, March 2nd, with the big carnival parade on Makarios III Avenue and the outdoor carnival dance at the Old Port Square, where visitors will be entertained with music by top DJs.
