Nine mountainous communities have cemented their beekeeping and honey producing identity as part of the new ‘Honey Routes – Cyprus’ tourism programme. The European MEDFEST programme focuses on the communities of Kato Drys, Kato Lefkara, Layia, Melini, Odou, Ora, Vavla, Vavatsinia and Agioi Vavatsinia, which share a rich tradition of beekeeping and honey production.
The programme will help to revitalise the rural communities through the organisation of bee-themed festivals and nature trails, and will be instrumental in preserving biodiversity. The beneficial properties of honey and its versatility will also be actively promoted, including its incorporation in recipes and on local menus.
Two bee friendly festivals are also planned for 2019, the ‘Honey and Beekeeping Festival’ on 23 June, and the ‘Children’s Bee Festival’ on 15 September.
Summer festivals in Larnaka
Several established summer festivals return in 2019 to bring music, tradition and entertainment to the Larnaka. These include:
Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood) – 14-19 June – Larnaka town has been celebrating Kataklysmos for over 100 years and takes centre stage on the island for its extravagant, weeklong event. The programme of daytime and evening activities and entertainment includes water-based competitions, stalls, kiosks demonstrating local pastimes, street food, children’s fun, and premium cultural performances.
The Fengaros Festival – 1-3 August – Independent and eclectic music returns to the mountainous Kato Drys village. Over 40 acts will perform across three stages whilst the audience camps under the stars. Tickets are available for one or all of the dates, with information available on the Facebook event page and website.
The annual Larnaka Summer Festival also takes place across July and offers a cultural programme of music, dance, theatre and other performing arts from both local and international artists. The various events are held at the Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre, the garden theatre of the medieval fort, the marina per, Kamares aqueduct, and other historical places/cultural venues.
The ultimate beach experiences are revealed
The upgrades and additions to Larnaka’s coasts that began in winter under the ‘Larnaka Beaches Greening & Enrichment Project’ have now been unveiled and are ready to be enjoyed by holidaymakers. The changes aim to offer more than the typical sand and sea combo at organised beaches. Highlights include:
* The distinctive palm tree synonymous with Foinikoudes has been expanded to the beaches at Tasos Mitsopoulos Street, Larnaka-Dekeleia Road (Pyla and Voroklini), Kiti (Softades Kitesurfing Beach), and Pervolia village (Faros). The greenery provided by the 200 new trees adds both an island and environmental aesthetic to the coastline.
* With Larnaka fast becoming a preferred sporting destination for both leisure and professional tournaments, the creation of a high-spec sand sports court (beach tennis and volleyball) by LeBay Hotel (start of Larnaka-Dekeleia Road) is a significant addition.
* Four new open-air gyms with outdoor exercise equipment are also now available along Voroklini’s coastal pathway, Pyla Beach (Larnaka-Dekeleia Road), and McKenzie. Fun children’s playground toys have been also been added at Yiannades (Voroklini), McKenzie, Kastella and Tasos Mitsopoulos Street beaches.
New basketry museum and exhibition in Choirikoitia village
A passion for basketry discovered later in life has seen a local basket weaver, Petros Nikolaou dedicate himself to promoting the folkloric craft, culminating in the opening of his new museum and exhibition space in Choirikoitia village this summer.
Petros began professionally basket weaving six years ago after 18 years in the hospitality industry. After spending time with his grandparents and watching them weave with thin water reeds, he slowly picked up the craft himself and has never looked back. He opened a workshop and started demonstrating over 30 different types of traditional basket weaving, later adding Halloumi-making demonstrations in the special cheese ‘Talari’ basket, and welcoming tourist parties from around the world to try their hand at both.
Now his new museum and exhibition space will open next door to his workshop in July. Having bought and renovated the larger, neighbouring 1850s stone house, the avid weaver has transformed it into a Cyprus time capsule, displaying the many baskets he has made from cane and reeds, along with traditional furniture, implements and interesting Cyprus artefacts.
Petros says of the new venture: “My love for basket weaving has led me to create a much larger space where I can welcome organised groups and share this wonderful traditional craft, along with the addition of a locally produced Cyprus brunch in a charming village setting.”
Further information can be found on his Facebook page.
For more information on Larnaka and all these events and more visit www.larnakaregion.com