But now this has all changed, and the Cypriots cannot wait to open their presents like we do in the U.K. on Christmas Day! Another Christmas tradition in Cyprus is the carols, familiar to many — Christmas carols that children play to the sound of a tambourine and musical triangles. Costumes, masks, painted faces, fireworks, delicious food and round dances are a part of Cypriot New Year tradition. The second favourite dessert is melomakarona which are cookies made of cinnamon, nuts, a tad bit of orange and lots of honey! Christmas in Cyprus, like most other countries is a time for feasting and getting together with families. Poinsettia, also called “Bethlehem” and “The Christmas Star” – is a flower, that blooms on Christmas Eve in Cyprus and, along with the traditional fir is often used to decorate the home for the Christmas holidays. Did you know that in Cyprus, presents are opened on New Year Day instead of Christmas Day? On January 6th,  the eve of the Russian Christmas, Cyprus celebrate Epiphany. Basil, who delivers the presents will bless the cake a sip on the wine. 40 Days of Christmas Christmas preparations actually begin forty days in advance, with house cleaning, Christmas shopping and fasting. … Cypriot families celebrate the 12 days of Christmas which end with the feast of Epiphany on 6 January. During December, a week is devoted to the period spanning 1963 to 1967, mourning those who died in the interethnic fighting that erupted around Christmas … Cyprus wedding traditions surround the wedding couple, incorporating the koumbaros (best man) and koumera (chief bridesmaid), the bridal couple’s families, their friends and often their entire village, for numerous rituals which symbolize the couple’s commitment to each other and their place in Cypriot society. Ghah-loh-POU-lah Gheh-mee-STEE), is the stuffed turkey we used to make in Cyprus. Medieval music. However, the essence of the holiday does not change. To karavaki, or small boat is rooted in the traditions of a country with a symbiotic relationship with the sea. So naturally, being married to a Cypriot, I had to follow this. … Cyprus Railway is one of the legends of the recent Cyprus past, which is mentioned in every tourist guide book…. For Cyprus, the season is full swing by December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, and will Christmas is a truly magical time in Cyprus with so many traditions and customs that date back centuries. Usually put up around the beginning of December and beautifully decorated… In Cyprus every year in winter, … Celebrations are held across all the harbours, where the locals gather to honour the water which is a symbol of baptism. A time when people rejoice the birth of boy Jesus, … Greek Cypriots take work and rest very seriously. It is a culture thing, and the further away you get from the hustle and bustle of the big cities the more obvious this trait becomes. Apparently, the person who throws the leaf must think of someone they love, and if the olive leaf makes a crackling noise and jumps when it is thrown in the fire, it means he/she is loved back! In contrast to the Russian Orthodox Church, Christmas in Cyprus is traditionally celebrated on December 25th. Desserts are literally everywhere during Christmas? Like everywhere else in the world, Cyprus celebrates Christmas with many special traditions and customs as well as delicious food! The hearth is kept burning day and night throughout the twelve days of Christmas, to keep the Kallikantzaroi away. The holiday is preceded by a 40 day fast and so on arriving back home after Christmas prayers, Cypriots look forward to sitting down to the holiday feast with all their family and breaking fast. But first, the family will usually attend a church service. For children Christmas means presents, snow, and holidays with schools being closed for two weeks. Christmas is always celebrated in Cyprus … The smell of the traditional Cypriot cooking with special pasties and sweets baked just for Easter, combined with the heady scent of orange blossoms in the air and the wonderful chanting which emanates from the churches, creates an atmosphere of expectation and apprehension - a feeling that something good is just around the corner. ... Before Christmas arrives, the Cypriot housewife is kept very busy. We may not be able to physically visit them this holiday period, but we can still contact them and show them we care. Kalitsounia Kritis Cheese Pastries. I suggest you the following method to get the most out of this video: 1. The framework of the calendar in Cyprus … You will also find a large student community in Nicosia thanks to the eight universities located in the city, including the University of Cyprus (UCY). MELOMAKARONA. Turkeys and the Christmas cake have invaded Greek Cypriot Christmas traditions … We may have to do it via the internet or on the telephone, but we can still come together on 31 December and raise a glass to a hopefully brighter 2021! Food is the centre of a lot of customs and traditions in Cyprus. The Christmas season in Cyprus starts on St Nicholas' … Here are some of the fascinating Christmas customs and traditions of Cyprus…. ... CHRISTMAS. In this video lesson, you will learn Christmas Greek traditions. Turkeys have invaded Cypriot Christmas customs, and so travelers will find this dish prepared for Christmas feasting. We all know that Cypriots are addicted to their cuisine, and who can blame them, it is delicious! An egg shaped dessert made with honey. To the members of the Greek Orthodox Church, Christmas comes in second after Easter. Cypriot Christmas Customs. The Kallikantzaroi are short, ugly and very deformed little mischief monsters who find their way to people’s homes through their chimneys upon seeing their Christmas trees! Over Christmas time, children will go from house to house singing kalanda, Cypriot Christmas carols which have been traditionally sung since Byzantine times. “My dad and my uncles fight over who gets to eat the lamb brain,” says Toula, the main character in the 2002 film My Big Fat Greek … Apparently, St. Christmas is celebrated as a religious holiday and on Christmas Eve everyone goes to church. Turkeys and the Christmas cake have invaded Greek Cypriot Christmas traditions since the British rule in the 1950s. By using our site you consent to our use of cookies. Traditions around Christmas in Cyprus. Bright Christmas Day, along with Easter, is considered one of the most important religious holidays in Cyprus.In contrast to the Russian Orthodox Church , Christmas in Cyprus is traditionally celebrated on Undoubtedly, Cypriot . December 6, 2019 Louis Admin Like everywhere else in the world who celebrates the birth of Christ, Cyprus celebrates Christmas with many special traditions … Christmas in Cyprus 16/11/2019 Cyprus may not have snow during Christmas but it is surely a festive place to be with warm family traditions, special and interesting customs, lots of activities for everyone, unique events and delicious tastes. At a first glance, sheftalies look similar to kebab, but in their taste – they are far more … First of all the funeral will take place within a few days due to the temperatures in the summer months. A Greek Cypriot Christmas Reader's Digest UK | December 2019 Steph Green reminisces about growing up in a Greek Cypriot household and all the delicious flavours that accompanied her every Christmas. Christmas Day is considered one of the most important religious holidays in Cyprus. Christmas Traditions from Cyprus Christmas in Cyprus, like most other countries is a time for feasting and getting together with families. The carollers are rewarded with gifts of money or traditional Cypriot festive sweet treats. «Kolyada» is celebrated with cookies, sweets and fruits. The capital is home to the headquarters of all Cypriot banks as well as the headquarter location of some international firms. Pork. However, the essence of the holiday does not change. There are as many as 335,000 Greek Cypriots living in the UK today, with each bringing with them family traditions and recipes that remain in generations and Christmas traditions year after year­—with many of these revolving around eating, eating, and yet more eating. The koumbaros then dresses the groom while musicians sing … … Greece is a country with deep religious traditions, a strong sense of family, and a very festive spirit. It is, beyond doubt, a magic, precious and loving holiday for both children and grownups. Christmas in Free Cyprus is the most important holiday in the whole year, as Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s difficult to differentiate the traditions between … A day of feasting on Christmas Day . 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