With the opening ceremony and the inauguration of the exhibition, the first Traditional Culture Festival "Voices and Memories" begins today, organized by the Municipality of Paralimni - Deryneia in collaboration with the Cultural Academy of Agios Epiphanios and will last until April 30, 2025.
The opening ceremony will take place today, Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at the old church of Agios Georgios in Paralimni in the presence of Deputy Minister of Culture Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, under whose auspices the Festival is held.
This is a unique initiative dedicated to the history, tradition and customs of Paralimni. The festival is a journey in the footsteps of Paralimni's history and cultural heritage, seeking to preserve and highlight local customs and traditions.
Two unique elements of Paralimni's cultural identity, the "Voice of Paralimnitsa" and the "St. George's Fair", which have been recorded on the UNESCO National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, are at the center of this year's first festival.
Through exhibitions, activities, folklore events and revivals of traditional customs, the festival will offer the public the opportunity to get to know and experience firsthand the customs and traditions of Paralimni, with an emphasis on the church of Agios Georgios, its feast day and Easter customs that are still preserved in the area.
The festival aspires to become an institution on the cultural map of Cyprus, bringing to the fore the rich cultural heritage of the region and strengthening the connection of the new generation with its roots.
All information and the Festival program at: https://pdm.org.cy/tag/fones-tziai-thymises/
ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS IS FREE.
Festival Program:
Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 19:30 PM
VENUE | Old Church of St. George / Church Museum of St. Anne
Festival Opening Ceremony
Artistic program by the Cultural Group "Roots of Cyprus". Participating: Kyriakos Hadjiandreou (voice and guitar), Andreas Siantanis (lute), Panagiotis Koumassis (voice) and Stefanos Hadjiandreou (violin).
Opening of the Exhibition “Voices and Memories. St. George and the Light of the World”. The opening will be held by the Deputy Minister of Culture. The exhibition will remain open until November 30, 2025.
Friday, April 11, 2025, 19:30 PM
VENUE | Paralimni – Deryneia Municipal Hall Events Hall
Theatrical Lecture “For the Days of Glory” by the Romiosini Cultural Association
Lazarus Saturday April 12, 2025, 11:00-13:00
SPACE | Traditional House of Paralimni
“Lazarus Saturday at the Traditional House of Paralimni”.
A traditional event of music, flavors and traditional professions for young and old. Children will have the opportunity to prepare, bake and taste traditional flaounes prepared by the Center for Offering and Love (KEPA) of Agios Christoforos, to test their pottery skills with potter Christos Askotis, to make baskets at the Basketry Workshop, to learn about the distillation of zivania with traditional craftsman Athinodoros Georgiou and to explore the Traditional House of Paralimni. The event will feature the Romiosini Ensemble youth group of the ROMIOSINI Cultural Association with Lazarus Carols from Greece and traditional music, as well as the 21st Paralimni Sea Scouts System, the 112th Deryneia Sea Scouts System and the 291st Paralimni Air Scouts System with traditional games.
Palm Sunday April 13, 2025, 16:00 PM
VENUE | Xenion Amphitheater
Medieval Fairy Tales of Cyprus “…where there are nothing but dragons in Cyprus!” by Marina Katsari and Vangelis Gettos
Narrator Marina Katsari and musician Vangelis Gettos deal with the spirits, the lords and the iron-clad knights of medieval Cyprus and sing of their sufferings and exploits. The legends and fairy tales are rendered in their natural language, the Cypriot dialect, which reached its peak in the late medieval years. The musical choices follow in the footsteps of the medieval harmonies that creatively grafted Cypriot traditional music.
Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025, 11:00-13:00
PLACE | Main Streets and neighborhoods of Paralimni
“The Kullouri”
Members of the 291st Air Scout System and the 21st Sea Scout System of Paralimni sing “To Koullouri” on the main streets and neighborhoods of Paralimni.
Holy Saturday, April 19, 2025, 12:00
VENUE | Paralimni – Deryneia Municipal Hall Events Hall
“The Return of St. George with the Dragon” by the musical group Kazandibi
Experiential Workshop on Cypriot Traditional Music for children aged 5-9 with the musical group Kazandibi. Participating: Kyriakos Marcoullis and Elena Papageorgiou.
Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, 20:00 PM
VENUE | Agios Georgios Square – Mitropoleos
Traditional Concert “Traditional Song Anthology”
Michalis Hadjimichael's eight-member band participates. Singing: Andri Karantoni, Dimitra Hadjimichael and Michalis Hadjimichael.
Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, 16:00 PM
VENUE | Agios Georgios Square – Mitropoleos
Traditional Toys and Blankets of Lambri
Easter Monday 21 April 2025 19:00
VENUE | Agios Georgios Square – Mitropoleos
The Ai Yorkou Festival
Patinada, a musical and dance performance with Greek and Cypriot traditional dances and a presentation of the event “The Traullarides”. Musical program by the traditional group “Nomades”.
Curator of the Artistic Program: Cultural Workshop "By the Lake"
Participating: Ensembles of the Metropolitan Church of Saint George with ofto kleftiko, Paralimni Youth Council and Paralimni Youth Association Volleyball Academies.
Exhibition of Traditional Professions with Basketry, Traditional Chair Tying, Woodcarving, Pottery, Weaving and Basketry (basket weaving).
"The Fair of St. George" is listed on the UNESCO National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00-13:00
VENUE | Agios Georgios Square – Mitropoleos
“Living Voices and Memories”
The old remember and the young learn in an interactive experience that unites the past with the present. Residents of Paralimni, bearers of local tradition, tell stories and transform them into a valuable part of the collective memory. Interactive artistic activities and a special guided tour for children and families at the exhibition “Voices and Memories. St. George and the Light of the City” by curator Dr. Christina Kakkura.
“Flour & Dough: Memories and Tradition”
Experiential Sensory Workshop for the whole family from the “Nefeles” Arts and Art Therapy Center in collaboration with the Hatzigiorkis Mills Museum (11:00-12:00)
Festival of Love and Offering
from the Metropolitan Church of St. George with games and activities for children and a food market. The Festival is organized by the Catechetical Schools, the Christian Women's Association and the "Anemoessa" Choir of the Metropolitan Church of St. George.
Thomas Sunday April 27, 2025, 11:00
PLACE | Main Streets of Paralimni
STARTING POINT | Saint George Square – Mitropoleos
“…Let's go to the forest”
Patinada in the main streets of Paralimni. Participating: Famagusta Traditional Music Orchestra, Paralimni “Para ti Limni” Cultural Workshop, “Drymio” Dance Group of Deryneia, Dance Group of the Frenaros Cultural Group, Dance Group of the Agios Georgios Acheritos – Vrysoula Cultural Group and the traditional flag-wavers “Sbandieratori Delle Sette Contrade Di Orte” from Italy.
Monday, April 28, 2025, 19:30 PM
VENUE | Paralimni – Deryneia Municipal Hall Events Hall
Lecture: “Paralimni and Agios Georgios”
Speakers:
Mr. Kostis Kokkinoftas, Kykkos Monastery Studies Center, “Saint George in the folk tradition of Cyprus and Paralimni”.
Dr. Christodoulos Hadjichristodoulou, Byzantinologist, "Bring me the pole, say 'Agios Georgios' above". Saint George in Paralimni".
Coordinator: former Ambassador of Cyprus to Greece, Professor of Modern Greek History George Georgis.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 20:00 PM
VENUE | Agios Georgios Square – Mitropoleos
Festival Closing Ceremony
“…On the terrace of St. George”
Famagusta Traditional Music Orchestra Concert. Participating: Cultural Workshop "By the Lake"
ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS IS FREE
