Cyprus villages prepare August festivals celebrating music, food and local traditions

Lefkara, Cyprus. August in Cyprus brings late-night gatherings, beach visits, square dancing, bingo and road trips, as village festivals return with live music, folkloric dancing, seasonal produce and local culture. Events planned across several communities will celebrate embroidery, fruit, traditional dishes, fish and entertainment.

Lefkara Festival

The Lefkara Festival will run from Friday, August 7, to August 22, bringing together entertainers, artisans and visitors. The programme will open with a silversmith and embroidery exhibition, followed by a concert paying tribute to singer Marinella.

On August 8, Thanos Petrelis and Eleftheria Eleftheriou will perform live. Other events include a bridge pairs tournament, a street food festival and a Cypriot comedy sketch.

The annual festival will also include concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, games and other activities. It will take place in Lefkara village, Larnaca district. For information, call 24-342822 or visit www.lefkara.org.cy.

Prickly Pear Festival in Nata

The 31st Prickly Pear Festival will be held in Nata village, Paphos district, on August 7. The event, which begins at 8pm in the village square, will offer visitors free fruit and a festival centred on Cypriot hospitality and tradition.

Peach Festival in Kato Mylos

The Kato Mylos Peach Festival will take place on August 22 at the Cultural Centre I Rodakinia. The one-day event will include produce stands, fresh fruit, traditional products, handcrafts, activities for young visitors, live entertainment and peach-flavoured products.

The festival in Kato Mylos, Limassol district, will run from 11am to midnight. Admission is free. More information is available at www.facebook.com/katomilos.

Mamonia Orange Festival

Mamonia village in the Paphos district will hold the Mamonia Festival on August 22 at 8.30pm, celebrating the area’s oranges. The programme will include food and drinks, orange-flavoured offerings and concerts by Nikos Romanos, Agni Erodotou and Irodotos.

Kolokasi Festival in Emba

Emba village in the Paphos district will organise its 11th Kolokasi Festival on August 28 at Ayios Charalambos Emba Lyceum. The event will feature kolokasi, or taro root, alongside a cultural programme and a concert by Greek singers Elli Kokkinou and Giorgos Papadopoulos.

Zygi Fish Festival

The fifth Zygi Fish Festival will take place on August 29. It will include a live radio link with Zenith FM, cooking shows by chefs Christos Christodoulou, Savvas Savva and Chryso Lefou, free fish tastings, a market, fisherman-themed activities and live entertainment.

Giorgos Tsalikis will headline the event with a performance by the sea.