Cyprus Events 2012

The year 2012 so far could be described as somewhat depressing, with economic woe’s, and miserable Cyprus weather. However, all that is about to change! Announcing the start of Limassol Carnival 2012!

Its time for some fun and laughter, eating and drinking, dancing and singing, and dressing up in carnival style. Leave your worries behind you and lets have some fun!

The Cyprus weather should improve as we go into next week, and the main carnival parade day should be sunny and dry, although we cannot guarantee it will be warm. We attend the Limassol Carnival every year, and always enjoy it immensely, but one thing we always find is that even if the sun shines, it can still feel very cold later in the day with that biting February wind, so remember to take some warm clothing.  Please also don’t be lax on your personal security. Large events such as this are prime spots for pick-pockets.

The carnival is a time for fun, as well as eating and drinking, as it precedes the Greek Orthodox Lent, when only a vegetarian diet is consumed, until Greek Orthodox Easter.

Some carnival events have already taken place, but there is a lot more to come. Please bear in mind that all events are subject to unexpected changes or cancellation.

The 2012 Limassol Carnival Program

Saturday, 18 February

11.00 a.m.

The members of the ‘Limassol Cycling Club’ will cycle around the city in a carnival mood.

Starting and Ending point: Medieval Castle Square

12.00 (noon)

The  ‘Tetrafonia’ (Four Voice Men’s Choir) will be singing at Pantopolio Restaurant at the A’ Municipal Market.

12.00 (noon)

The Municipality’s little train will be touring around the city.

The ‘Epilogi Workshop Choir’ will be on board the train singing carnival songs.

Starting point:  Limassol Co-operative Savings Bank, Gladstonos Street.

6.00 p.m. Serenaders’ event at 52 Gladstonos Street

The Hellenic Bank and the ‘Limassol Serenaders’ co-organise a concert with old serenades and carnival songs with the participation of the ‘Edon Serenaders’, the ‘Moderni Keri Choir’, the ‘Ariones Choir’ and of course the ‘Limassol Serenaders’ .

Free drinks and snacks will be offered.

Sunday 19^th February

11.30 a.m. Children’s Carnival Parade

Starting Point: Sea front road (opposite Citizen Service Centre – close to the old port round about).

Ending: Municipal Gardens (south entrance)

All participants will be awarded diplomas.

6.00 p.m. A Serenaders’ event in front of ‘Perama Music Club’ with songs by the ‘Georgalletos Serenaders’ and dance performance by the dance school ‘Alexastero’.

The event is dedicated to the memory of the serenader Giorgos Georgalletos.

Monday 20th February

Serenaders will be touring the Limassol neighbourhoods on illuminated floats

7.00 p.m. The ‘Ariones Choir’ will be singing at the area of Kapsalos.

7.00 p.m. The ‘Edon Serenaders’ will be singing at the area of Ayios Antonios.

Tuesday 21st February

Serenaders will be touring the Limassol neighbourhoods on illuminated floats

7.00 p.m. The Group of the ‘Cypriot Serenaders’ will be singing at Ayia Fyla.

7.00 p.m. The ‘Limassol Serenaders’ will be singing at Zakaki.

7.00 p.m. The ‘Monterni Keri Choir’ will be singing at the areas of Apostolos Andreas and Ayios Ioannis.

8.30 p.m. Tuesday’s Carnival Fiesta at the Medieval Castle Square

People of all ages are invited by the Limassol Municipality to attend the event in costumes and participate in a great carnival spree with music and dancing.

Free-style Carnival Costume Competition – Awards will be given to the best three.

Wednesday 22nd February

7.00 p.m. Serenaders’ evening  at Heroes’ Square

A serenaders’ evening will take place with the participation of the following groups:

Mousikes Periplanisis Choir, Monterni Keri Choir, Edon Serenaders and the Cypriot Serenaders.

Thursday 23rd February

8.30 p.m. Carnival Ball at ‘Panos Solomonides’ Municipal Cultural Centre

The ‘Dreams Choir’ and Elena Solea invite you to sing and dance to the rhythms of popular carnival songs, followed by DJ.

Free-style Carnival Costume Competition – Awards will be given to the best three.

Friday 24th February

11.30 p.m.

The Group of ‘Cypriot Serenaders’ will sing at Ayiou Andreou Street.

The Limassol Municipality invites you to a carnival feast.

Please note: We are unsure if the published time (p.m.) is in error and should maybe be (a.m.) Please contact Cultural Services, Limassol Municipality, Tel. 25 342153 & 25 745919 for clarification

7.00 p.m

Serenader’s evening at the Medieval Castle Square, with the participation of the ‘Modernoi Keri Serenader’s group’, the ‘Limassol Serenaders’, the ‘ArionesSerenaders’, the  ‘Cypriot Serenaders’ and the’Edon Serenaders’

Starting point: Irinis street

Ending point: Medieval castle square

Saturday 25th  February

11.30 a.m. The ‘Limassol Antique Cars Club’ will drive around the city in a carnival mood.

Starting point: Enaerios Parking.

Ending: Grigori Afxentiou Square (In front of the District Office Building).

12.00 (noon)

The Limassol Municipality and the Shop owners Association of the historic center of Limassol invite you to a carnival feast in Anexartisia street (Anexartisias and AthinonCrossing, in front of the Brent Cross store), with the participation of the ‘Limassol Serenaders’.

12.00 (noon)

The Municipality’s little train will be touring around the city

The ‘Epilogi Workshop Choir’ will be singing carnival songs on board.

Starting point: Limassol Co-operative Savings Bank, Gladstonos Street.

 6.30 p.m. Serenaders’ Parade

Groups of Serenaders will gather at 6.00 p.m. in front of the ‘Vasilis Michaelides’Park (Ayia Zoni Street). At 6.30 p.m. they will start serenading, ending at the GrigoriAfxentiou Square (In front of the District Office Building).

From 5.00 p.m. onwards the ‘Georgia Protopapa’s Vocal Ensemble’ and the choir‘Mousikes Periplanisis’ will be singing at Grigori Afxentiou Square.

The Limassol Municipality invites you to sing and dance along with the Serenaders.

Free wine will be offered.

Sunday 26th February

1.30 p.m. Grand Carnival Parade

Archbishop Makarios III Avenue

Starting Point: Ayios Nikolaos Round About

Ending: Simillide’s Traffic Lights

This year’s King of Carnival, ‘Napoleon the Great’ will be heading the parade withhis cortege. Floats, groups of masqueraders and individuals will follow, dancing to the beat of carnival music.

The parade will proceed along Makarios III Avenue up to the Simillide’s Traffic Lights.

All groups will be given participation diplomas.

During the parade, former carnival participants will be honoured by the LimassolMunicipality for their precious contribution to the Limassol Carnival.

8.00 p.m. Parade by the ‘Limassol Majorettes’ of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association and the ‘Batucinio’ percussion instruments group.

Starting point: Ayios Nikolaos round about.

Ending point: Enaerios parking

8.30 p.m. Farewell Carnival Fiesta – Enaerios Parking

The Carnival will end with a massive Carnival Ball at the Enaerios parking.

Free-style Carnival Costume Competition – Awards will be given to the best three.

9.00 p.m. Fireworks Display!