It’s been a very festive summer. I enjoyed so many festivals in the last few weeks I’ve definitely justified my hippy wardrobe. Mandria became yet again the centre of the live music scene, following the village square’s huge band fest in May with not one but two beach parties. The first, held at the beach bar at the end of a ‘Ride To Remember’ motorbike trek raising money for Alzheimer’s Research, was a free entry event featuring the excellent band Zero Effect and well attended, especially by a number of different motorcycle clubs.
Two weeks later Halo Events presented a two day ‘End of Summer Beach party’ featuring nine live music acts including Eurovision entry Minus One. This was held further along from the beach bar, on the sand, with an adjacent area set aside for camping. An entry fee got you onto the site which included various stalls, food trucks, and a couple of bars, one of which I ended up serving at for the first day, which was a great way to earn some funds in the sun whilst soaking up the atmosphere and of course listening to the music. Setting up camp in what felt like a gale force wind was a challenge – I was determined to put up my tent by myself despite offers of help, and I did, but I had to ask a neighbouring camper to stop my erected tent blowing away until I could fill it with enough luggage to hold it down. The bands, duos and solos were surprisingly good and varied, and the crowds thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.
That weekend marked the end of the Limassol Wine Festival, an annual event that finally returned this year after covid stopped play for a while. The government lays on a free bus from Paphos to the wine fest, where a 5 euro entry charge and purchase of a special glass gets you unlimited free wine. What’s not to like? There’s also a multitude of stalls including pop-up restaurants, each with a live band, as well as entertainment on the main stage with a full programme throughout the two weeks including live music, theatre, magic and children’s shows. Extremely well attended, this festival generally runs for two weeks every September, taking over a park in central Limassol.
August and September also brought us Open Mind Music Festivals over in Larnaka, which I’m told was of a standard to match those in the Balearic isles. October also saw a few Beer Festivals and Octoberfests around the island, including one at Paphos harbour for the first time in years. Limassol zoo put on a Street Food Festival, no doubt bringing on many ‘feeding time at the zoo’ jokes, while Val’s Place in Gialia hosted a week long ecstatic Dance Festival with camping.
So what can we look forward to in November? It is the month of zivania, which will be celebrated in Alona village on the 3rd and Pelendri 9th and 10th, with traditional zivania products and traditional dancing. Another Zivania Festival is due in Pedoulas on 17th which promises hot zivania from the cauldron! Mushrooms will be celebrated on 23rd and 24th in Spilia.
To work off all these calories, one can attend the The Mind, Body & Spirit Well-being Festival on 9th and 10th at the Filoxenia Convention Centre in Nicosia.
As I write, on International Grape Day, the weather has turned: yesterday I was sunbathing on the beach; today the Panagia Grape Festival will likely be a washout due to the sudden arrival of torrential rains. These villages are still worth visiting anyway, there is always a little gem of a tavern to be discovered. It won’t be long now before we’re seeking out those with log fires. Bring on that cauldron of hot zivania!
Jezebel hosts Quiz Nights 7.30pm at Kamares Club Wednesdays 2nd, 9th,23rd and 30th November, and at Talalaland in Tala Square on Tuesday 8th November.
Weather permitting, you can also catch her singing on the Sea Star yacht by day.
