EASTER CELEBRATIONS
Every year, during Easter days, the square of the Church would become really crowded. This entire crowd gathering was created by the sheds. These sheds were custom made outdoor restaurants which served several kinds of food and drinks. They also provided live music. Each shed had its violin and lute. After the villagers had eaten and had their drinks, they would begin dancing and singing accompanied by the violin and the lute. Today, there are no longer any sheds. However, the agenda is enriched with modern music and songs in order to satisfy all tastes. A Cypriot fair with games for the children and street vendors who sell various items, operates in the neighbouring streets.
HOLIDAY OF AGIOS GEORGIOS
Every year, on November 3rd, Paralimni celebrates the holiday of Agios Georgios, Protector Saint of the town. Since the old years, this religious holiday was combined with a residents’ assembly at the village’s stadium, where an artistic show, which included dances, singing and poetic competitions and ‘tsiatismata’, was presented, in addition to horse races and contests that took place during the event.
Today tradition continues. It is carried on by the scouts of our town and its Clubs. The dances and recitations still continue. Track races are supplemented with games and fun scout contests whereas horse races have been replaced with donkey races, which offer a pleasant and picturesque sight. In the last few years, popular artists and dancers are decreasing. They are replaced by dancing groups and dancing teams who deal with Cypriot dances professionally and present programmes for the foreigners staying at the hotels of the area.
CATACLYSM (HOLY SPIRIT)
The Cataclysm has always been a traditional holiday at the beach of Ammochostos. Celebrations would always take place on the Pentecost Sunday and on the Monday of the Holy Spirit. This holiday was of great cultural importance. Several poetic and dancing contests, which attracted the attention of the popular artists of the entire District, would take place on this holiday.
The holiday of the Cataclysm temporarily stopped in 1975, after the Turkish invasion and the occupation of Ammochostos. However, since 1977, the Cataclysm celebrations are organized every year on the beach of Protaras. It is organized by the Paralimni Municipality in order to preserve tradition until Ammochostos is again free.
Moreover, on the Cataclysm Monday, takes place a ceremony, which is probably unique in the entire Hellenic region. The morning mass takes place at the small chapel of Agia Triada which is situated at the bay with the respective name.
After the mass, the priest, the Mayor and other officials proceed by boat at the centre of the bay where the priest throws the cross in the sea and blesses the water. The cross is thrown into the water three times. Young swimmers dive into the water to retrieve the cross. The ceremony is similar to the one of the benediction of the waters which takes place on the day of the Theophany, on the 6th of January.
The ceremony ends with a swimming contest. Reeds are placed into the water, at the finish point. Then, handkerchiefs filled with coins are fastened upon them, on a height of two feet above the surface of the water. The winner of the contest wins all the coins. Cataclysm is a joyous holiday. The music and songs of the past are combined with the music of today. The street vendors sell their products to the crowd. Possibly, the form of the ceremonies has changed in the course of time, but the people still respond with enthusiasm. In the last few years, the Paralimni Municipality has responsibly undertaken the organizing of cultural and artistic events on an organized basis. The goal of the Municipality is to preserve and continue the community’s tradition, which has always performed highly in the cultural field.
In the decade of the 1950s, the youth paid great interest in the artistic and cultural events. The youngsters would get organized in the associations and would create artistic and theatrical groups, this way filling their free time creatively. Many photographs, which are preserved at the associations until today, show that many amateur theatrical performances took place in Paralimni. The main themes of the theatrical groups were the patriotic dramas which touched the young generation of the 1950s, when the liberating fight of E.O.K.A. was being prepared or was taking place.
Later on, in the decade of the 1960s, cultural action was reduced. However, some annual events, which attracted a lot of interest, were still organised. One such event was the welcoming of the New Year in the New Year’s evening. The agenda would usually include theatrical plays, dances, singing and the traditional satire. The celebration would start early in the evening and would continue until the first hours after midnight for the welcoming of the New Year.
However, as time went by, the artistic performances and events weakened. This was mostly due to the change of the way of life and the television, which became the main means of entertainment. Hence, in the decade of the 1970s and especially after the Turkish invasion, artistic and cultural action became really static.
The situation changed during the last years with the efforts of the Municipality. The Town Council realised the importance of development and cultural action in improving the quality of life within the Municipality. Thus, an organised effort began. Inside the Town Hall was created an excellent hall suitable for lectures, artistic events, exhibitions and so on.
In 1987, an outdoor amphitheatre, which the Municipality had built next to the Municipal Palace, began operating. This is a wonderful 1000 seats theatre built in an ancient theatre style. Theatrical performances, musical events, dancing and other displays, ballet and many more take place here.
The summer festival of the Municipality, which was a great success, took place here in the summer of 1987. The Municipality decided to offer all the performances of the festival for free, so that everyone would have the opportunity to participate in the cultural life and activity.
In the last few years, the Paralimni Municipality undertook the organising of the Festival of Anthesteria (Flower Festival). In the first year, the festival was organised at the Town Amphitheatre. However, the space was really small for the large crowd which had gathered to watch the festival. Therefore, the ‘Anthesteria’ take place at the town Stadium approximately in the middle of May. The event includes artistic programme with groups decorated with flowers followed by a parade of groups and chariots.
The Municipality continues its efforts to offer the citizens the opportunity to watch various cultural, artistic and educational events. The Municipality is mainly interested for the quality of the events that it organizes and aims to upgrade the quality of life by cultivating and upgrading spiritual and cultural life.
The important change in the cultural life of Paralimni is this. In the past decades, the residents themselves were both spectators and creators. The popular artists of the community were famous in the entire area. Unfortunately, there is no continuance to this tradition. Young people today have other interests and do not cultivate traditional activities and abilities. The last remaining popular poets are some elderly people which become less and less every year. Today, young people are only interested in the activity of Cypriot dances. And this is because the tourist industry needs dancers to present programmes to tourists. Consequently, Cypriot dances are cultivated in Paralimni even today, but on a more professional basis.
The future of the cultural events and activities lies in the hands of the Municipality, which seems to give great emphasis to this field. |
