Cypriot culture celebrated this week
OLIVES, pomegranates, zivaniya and Cypriot culture will be celebrated in events across the country this week.
The seventh Kalkanlı Çakisdez Festival, which celebrates the cracked green olive, opened yesterday and continues with folk dance shows and live music from 6pm, including veteran local band Sıla 4 at 7pm, whose song Garanfil (Clove) will also be performed in sign language, and rocker Örge Volkan at 10pm.
An olive tree tour starts tomorrow’s activities at 10am, followed by a “best tasting olive” competition and children’s activities at 2pm, and a backgammon tournament from 3pm. Entertainment follows from 4pm with gymnastic, modern dance, bicommunal dance and music shows. A 9.30pm Grup Rast concert and raffle draw finish the event.
The Cittaslow municipalities of Geçitkale, Mehmetçik, Yeniboğaziçi and Lefke have teamed up for “Cittaslow Sunday” tomorrow, from 10am to 8pm at Geçitkale, with folk dancing, music and stands.
More olive produce will be promoted at Zeytinlik’s 17th Olive Fest, which runs from Friday to Tuesday, October 9. Friday’s procession will start at Ramadan Cemil Square at 6pm and finish at the Atatürk statue. Symbolic olive branch burning will officially open the festival at the village at 7pm, before live music and folk dance shows. Stands will be open from 6pm to 10pm.
Meanwhile the first Güneşköy Pomegranate Fair offers more than 40 stands of local produce next weekend. Starting at the Atatürk bust at 3pm next Saturday, October 6, music and folk dance performances start from 4.30pm. Children’s activities are from 6.25pm, before live music by Grup Baria at 8pm and a 9.30pm bingo session, and the fun continues the following day with an archery demonstration, backgammon tournament and pomegranate activities, as well as more live music and bingo.
The Mehmetçik Ziva Fest takes place next Saturday, October 6, between 11am and 6pm, featuring local music and dance shows and celebrating the Cypriot grape spirit.
The 12th Lurucina Fair takes place next Sunday at Akıncılar, between 10am and 7pm.