- Preparation for the holiday
- Home decoration
- New Year traditions
- New Year's table
- Santa Claus in Cyprus
- Where can you celebrate a holiday
Cypriots are very friendly and cheerful people, therefore they celebrate the New Year on a grand scale. If you decide to celebrate a holiday in Cyprus, you will be imbued with the amazing atmosphere of local flavor combined with European traditions. At the same time, tourists are offered all kinds of entertainment programs, including visits to attractions and excursions.
Preparation for the holiday
Starting from December 1, the streets and central squares of Cyprus are decorated with illuminations and Christmas-themed compositions. Everywhere you can see miniature spruces or araucaria, dressed up in garlands.
The center of the celebrations is the main square of Nicosia called Eleftherias, where a tall spruce of amazing beauty is set long before the holiday. Due to the fact that Christmas is preceding the New Year, fairs are organized everywhere on the twentieth of December. Tourists are happy to buy them souvenirs and presents for friends and family.
In each city, performances and matinees are held with the participation of the best creative teams. In the evening, many people gather on the square almost every day and begin to perform the national dance sirtaki, symbolizing the unity of the people.
Home decoration
Cypriots are especially fond of decorating their homes. This tradition has its roots in the distant past, when the house was considered the personification of protection from evil forces. Therefore, even today, every owner tries to create the most comfortable atmosphere.
Preparing a home for the New Year's holidays consists of several stages. Among them:
- thorough cleaning of the room;
- disposal of old things, garbage and furniture;
- change of bed linen and window curtains;
- scattering coins in the corners, which are the key to financial well-being for the next year;
- spruce installation;
- hanging wreaths made of olive and pomegranate leaves on the doors.
All these elements are of great importance to the inhabitants of Cyprus, as they have a special meaning and ritual basis. If one of the stages of home preparation is missed, then luck will not accompany the owner of the house in the coming year.
New Year traditions
In Cyprus, it is customary to honor the surviving rituals associated with the celebration of the New Year and Christmas. The most important traditions are passed down from generation to generation and are carefully preserved in every family.
The first of the customs involves a mandatory visit to church on the eve of not only Christmas, but also January 1. Cypriots take pomegranate fruits with them to the temple in order to consecrate them. After the church, the owner of the house stops in front of the threshold and smashes a grenade on the floor. Such a ritual ensures future prosperity and happiness.
Before the holiday, women bake bread ("basilopita"), inside which they put a small coin. This tradition was known many centuries ago. According to popular legend, Saint Basil saved several settlements thanks to the fact that he managed to preserve the valuables of the inhabitants. To distribute everything to the needy, he baked loaves and put three coins in each, and then distributed to the poor people. Basilopita is usually consumed on the first day of the New Year, when the whole family gathers at the table and cuts the pie.
New Year's table
The cuisine of Cyprus is distinguished by its diversity, the presence of a variety of vegetables and cheeses in the dishes, as well as exquisite taste. When celebrating the New Year in Cyprus, do not forget to look into taverns or restaurants in order to enjoy delicious dishes. The festive menu without fail consists of:
- turkey baked with vegetables;
- kleftiko (baked lamb);
- meze (cold snacks);
- cheese slicing;
- stifado (beef stew in tomato sauce);
- moussaka (minced meat and vegetable casserole);
- stewed seafood;
- pies stuffed with nuts, almonds and candied fruits.
As alcoholic drinks, Cypriots prefer local dry wines, stronger vodka Ouzo or Zivania. The owner always makes the first toast to the health of the household next year.
Santa Claus in Cyprus
During New Year's Eve, all the children of Cyprus are waiting for the not-known European Santa Claus, but Ayios Vasilis or Saint Basil. This fabulous character has an interesting history dating back to 330, when a great saint named Basil was born. Outwardly, the prototype of the modern Santa Claus looked like a man of thin build with a long beard.
Of course, for several centuries its appearance has changed and now it looks more like Santa Claus. However, the main difference is that Ayios Vasilis has a differently shaped hat on his head and does not enter the house through the chimney. The main function of Santa Claus in Cyprus is to give gifts to obedient children and help those in need. It is Vasily who is credited with the custom of distributing bread to the poor on the street.
The saint also helped couples in love to reunite, so to this day he is considered a symbol of harmonious relationships. During the New Year holidays, young people who want to find their love leave notes to Saint Basil under the tree.
Where can you celebrate a holiday
There are enough places in Cyprus where you will have an excellent opportunity to fully experience the national characteristics of the New Year celebration. Moreover, the weather conditions allow you to relax in comfort and not think about the frosts, which are familiar to Russians.
If you want to take part in mass festivities and see key attractions, then it is better to go to Nicosia or Limassol. In these cities, the most spectacular performances are organized, colorful fireworks are launched and excursion programs are organized. Young audiences will be delighted with visiting local nightclubs and noisy parties.
Lovers of sea cruises are advised to purchase a tour in advance on a luxury liner equipped with the latest technology. Such a trip will bring not only maximum pleasure, but also new impressions.
For those who prefer active winter sports, it is better to go to Troodos, where ski resorts with developed infrastructure are located.
