Thousands attend third Let’s Go Troodos festival

Troodos, Cyprus. Thousands gathered at the Presidential Residence last weekend for the third Let’s Go Troodos festival, which combined family entertainment, local food and craftsmanship while highlighting support for mountain communities.

Local producers and charitable support

The festival opened the residence grounds to the public and brought together producers, artisans and creators from the Troodos region. Stalls offered honey, halloumi, loukoumi, handmade soaps, woven textiles and small-batch preserves.

Visitors sampled products, spoke with producers and learned about the crafts of local artisans. Ten per cent of stall proceeds were donated to the Eleousa retirement home in Agros.

The event was initiated by First Lady Philippa Karsera Christodoulides and held in partnership with the deputy ministries of tourism and culture, the mountains commissioner, and the Press and Information Office.

The government invited small businesses, artisan workshops and creators from the wider Troodos area to present their work in the gardens of the Presidential Residence, turning the historic property into a marketplace focused on mountain life.

Workshops and performances

Young people and adults took part in workshops on palouze making, weaving, loom work, silk work, mosaic making, perfume making and traditional cooking. Sessions were also held on pottery and traditional musical instruments.

Live music and tsiattista performances by folk poets were included in the programme, giving visitors the opportunity to meet artisans from Cyprus’ mountain villages.

The first lady said the workshops gave families a hands-on way to connect with the island’s traditions and made heritage more tangible for children.

Access to public buildings

She said the wider aim was to make significant public buildings more accessible for leisure, education, culture and environmental awareness.

From the new school year, schools will be able to visit the exhibition of Cypriot antiquities and artworks at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, extending the spirit of Let’s Go Troodos into the classroom.

Deputy Culture Minister Clea Papaellina said this was the deputy ministry’s first participation in the festival, which has now been held three times. She said activities for families and children could help younger generations engage with Cyprus’ history, customs and traditions in a natural and enjoyable way.