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carnival
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.
In Cyprus this custom is kept until today. Carnival is a ten-day period of fun and eating, prior to fifty days of fasting, before Easter. Carnival is celebrated with feasts and traditional games. In addition people get dressed in costumes and wear masks.
Carnival parades are being organized in all towns of Cyprus. One of the best and traditional carnival parades is being organized at the town of Lemesos.
Carnival festivities begin on Thursday of the Meat Week. Carnival parades and fancy–dress balls are very popular and take place in Lemesos and Pafos.
Paphos
February 19: Entrance of King Carnival, at the commercial centre of Pafos
February 28: Carnival Parade of chariots and groups of people along Poseidonos Ave.
Lemesos (Limassol)
February 19: Entrance of King Carnival in the town
February 22: Children’s Carnival Parade
February 28: Serenaders’ Parade in the town centre
March 1: The Grand Carnival Parade of chariots and groups of people along Makarios III Ave.
Full Schedule of Limassol Carnival
Monday
February 16
7.30p.m. House of Arts and Letters: The Lemesos Municipality in collaboration with the Cyprus Photographic Society – Limassol Branch will be organizing a Pancyprian Photography Competition and Exhibition on the theme “Limassol Carnival”, from February 16 to March 1st.
Wednesday
February 18
6.00p.m. Art Studio 55
23Α Andrea Drousioti, Heroes’ Square:
The Lemesos Municipality in collaboration with IKEPANA GROUP will be organising an exhibition on the theme “Carnival 2009” from February 18 to 25, with the participation of Georgalletos Serenaders.
7.30p.m. Theomaria Art Gallery
7 Vasilissis Karlottas & Elenis Paleologinas
The Lemesos Municipality in collaboration with Theomaria Gallery will be organising an exhibition of venetian, ceramic, painted and decorated masks as well as a MASK workshop called “Venice-Limassol 3”.
Afterwards, the architect Stavros Perdios will demonstrate how his father, Chrisostomos Perdios, used to make masks during the 1930s and 1940s.
The Mayor of Limassol Andreas Christou will inaugurate the exhibitions.
Thursday
February 19
12.00 (noon): Limassol Serenaders will be singing at Saripolou Square.
3.00p.m. – 5.00p.m. Enaerios Parking Place: The Lemesos Municipality will be organizing a concert where young bands will be participating.
6.30p.m. Town Hall: The Lemesos Municipality in collaboration with the Limassol Union of Self-Educated Painters will be organising an exhibition for the 2009 Carnival.
The Mayor Andreas Christou will inaugurate the exhibition.
7.00p.m.: The Carnival’s Royal Couple will be entering the town in a festive atmosphere on an illuminated float accompanied by Georgalletos Serenaders, the choir Monternoi Kairoi, the Lemesos Municipality Band, the Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association, the Mayor and the Municipal Council.
The parade will start from the Town Hall at 7.00p.m. and will pass by the following streets: Themidos, Anexartisias, Ayiou Andreou, Karaiskaki (Municipal Library), Stasinou, Andrea Drousioti. It will end at the Heroes’ Square where carnival merrymaking with songs and dancing by the group Forca Latino will take place.
Fireworks from the Town Hall start at 7.00p.m.
Friday
February 20
8.30p.m. Children’s Choirs, Rialto Theatre: Serenades and carnival songs from the following children’s choirs: Armonia, the Children’s Choir Epilogi, the Children’s Choir of the Papadakeion Municipal School of Music and the Children’s Choir of the Maronites of Cyprus.
Saturday
February 21
11.00a.m. – 2.00p.m. Grigori Afxentiou Square (District Office Building): The Lemesos Municipality in collaboration with the CUT and the radio station Choice FM 104.3 will be organizing a treasure hunt (for information and participation call 25820820).
11.00a.m. The Municipality’s train will be running along Anexartisias – Ayiou Andreou: The Youth Choir Epilogi will be on the train singing carnival songs.
12.00 (noon) Starting point: Pattichion Municipal Theatre.
The Four Voice Men’s Choir will be singing at “Pantopoleio” Restaurant at the First Municipal Market
8.30p.m. A Carnival Ball will take place at Erma’s Auction Centre on 48 Gladstonos Str.
The Dreams Choir and Elena Solea invite you to sing and dance to the rhythm of the top carnival hits and a DJ will also ensure that the fiesta keeps on going with carnival music.
Free Entrance.
Sunday
February 22
11.30a.m. Children’s Carnival Parade: Starting Point: Ayias Zonis Str. (ESSO Service Station). Finishing: End of Anexartisias
All groups, couples and individuals participating in the parade will be given participation diplomas.
6.00p.m. Serenaders’ Event at PERAMA with songs from Georgalletos Serenaders and dancing from the dancing school Alexastero.
The evening is dedicated to the memory of Giorgos Georgalletos.
Monday
February 23
On an illuminated float: 7.00p.m. Giorgalletos Serenaders will be singing at the areas of Petrou & Pavlou and Apostolou Andrea.
7.00p.m. EDON Serenaders will be singing at Ayios Nikolaos area.
Tuesday
February 24
On an illuminated float:
7.00p.m. Limassol Serenaders will be singing at Zakaki.
7.00p.m. Ariones Choir will be singing at Ayia Fyla
7.00p.m. Monternoi Kairoi Choir will be singing at St. Spiridona area.
8.30p.m. “Tuesday’s Carnival Fiesta”, Medieval Castle Square: The Lemesos Municipality invites all young and adults to come in disguised costumes and participate in different carnival merrymaking with music and dancing.
Carnival Costume Competition – Awards for the best three.
Wednesday
February 25
7.00 p.m. Serenaders’ Evening - Heroes’ Square
Serenaders’ Evening with the participation of the following groups: Giorgalletos Serenaders, Monternoi Kairoi Choir, EDON Serenaders and the Group of Cypriot Serenaders.
Thursday
February 26
8.00 p.m. At the square east of the First Municipal Market
Serenaders’ Evening and Outdoor Carnival Dancing Event -
The evening will begin with the participation of the following groups: Mousikes Periplaniseis Choir, Ariones Choir and Limassol Serenaders.
Then, the Dreams Choir and Elena Solea will follow, inviting you to sing and dance to the top carnival hits.
Carnival Costume Competition – Awards for the best three.
Saturday
February 28
6.30p.m. Serenaders’ Parade: Groups of Serenaders will gather at 6.00p.m. outside the Town Hall. At 6.30 p.m. they will start serenading through the following streets: Arch. Kyprianou, Themidos, Anexartisias, ending at the Grigori Afxentiou Square (District Office Building). From 5.00p.m. Georgia Protopapa’s Vocal Ensemble and the choir “Mousikes Periplaniseis” will be singing at the Grigori Afxentiou Square.
The Limassol Municipality invites you to sing and dance with the Serenaders at the Grigori Afxentiou Square.
Free wine will be offered by wine industries such as ETKO, KEO, LOEL and SODAP.
Sunday
March 1st
1.30p.m. Grand Carnival Parade:
Archbishop Makarios III Avenue
Starting Point: Ayios Nikolaos Round About
Ending: Ayias Sofia’s Traffic Lights
Serenaders and Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guide Association will parade with the Limassol Municipality Band.
Τhe Grand Carnival parade will begin with the Carnival’s Royal Couple and its cortege comprised of floats and individuals in the sound of a unified music.
Floats shall begin to gather from 8.30a.m. along the Makarios III Avenue, from Enaerios traffic lights to Ayios Nikolaos Round About. The parade will proceed along Makarios III Avenue up to Ayias Sofias Traffic Lights.
All groups, couples and individuals participating in the parade will be given participation diplomas.
During the parade, the Lemesos Municipality will honour former carnival participants for their precious contribution to the Lemesos Carnival.
8.30p.m. Farewell Carnival Fiesta - Medieval Castle Square: The Carnival will end with a grand outdoor Carnival Ball with disguised costumes and music.
Carnival Costume Competition – Awards for the best three.
Fireworks start at 9.00p.m.
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