Carnival is usually the main event of the year for Cyprus, where residents unveil unusual and colorful costumes, dance cheerfully and celebrate through the largest annual party scene in the Mediterranean country.
After 10 days of performances in the cosmopolitan city of Limassol, the grand parade on the eve of Lent – 40 days fast before Easter – usually attracts tens of thousands to engage in a festival eight hours for the ears, eyes and stomach.
Promoters in all their costumes march alongside beautiful flowers that often mock the rich and powerful of the country.
But in the era of COVID-19, the story has reverted to lockouts and banning public gatherings. Although the parade took place last year, this year the carnival floats, giant puppets and other decorations are sitting in warehouses.
But the city authorities of Limassol do not allow the festival spirit to go away completely, organizing some events that adhere to virus restrictions. The result of this is the mysterious journey of King Carnival, the main album that celebrates the annual theme of the season.
Skevi Antoniadou, a town official in charge of organizing the Carnival ceremonies, said the float, which has a frozen abstract figure in a dance setting, will make the rounds of Limassol’s main tour without prior notice to avoid large gatherings. One visit on Thursday marked the beginning of festivals. The second will be on March 14th.
The exact path will remain a mystery and the police will be out to encourage people from gathering in large numbers.
“The message to all is that we look forward to getting you back next year, because we will be kicking back from this even stronger,” Antoniadou said.
Carnival festivals in Cyprus go back centuries and have evolved over time from simple home gatherings to a big street party. One major stable is the famous Limassol street singers, still known as Cantadori – a Spanish – like man who decorates and walks the streets with guitars and mandolins, singing festival songs.
Antoniadou said that a key element of Carnival is the tremendous income it generates for the city. He said hotels are usually fully booked for the 10-day period, with hair shops, restaurants and clothing manufacturers also very busy.
“The carnival is about the joy it offers, but the financial side is also important to the city and its people,” he said.
This year’s limited editions only spent a fraction of the annual budget of around 350,000-euros ($ 417,000), with much of the money going to unemployed artists.
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