TODAY’S CARNIVAL. The Lemesos (Limassol) Carnival is an important institution; a tradition for the Limassolians, which remains alive and will survive throughout times. It is a festivity so much expected desperately by everybody, thousands of children, younger and adults from all the free parts of Cyprus. Even the foreigners, who happen to be here during this period of the year or live permanently on the island, are passionate to expect it. When the word Carnival is pronounced, it reminds us Limassol, as simple as that, which is quite justified, because this is where the Carnival King appeared for the very first time and made its first move; the roots of this festivity are deep here. Lemesos (Limassol) Municipality has realized how needful is to organize regularly and properly the Carnival festivities considering them amongst its yearly events. It has therefore become the pioneer in organizing these festivities and today we have reached an era where the Carnival fiesta is organized in the best way compared to the previous years. 

The Municipality is the official vehicle and organizer of a series of festive Carnival events. These events start on the Shrove Thursday with the Carnival King entering the town in a festive atmosphere, then the children’s parade, the various Serenaders’ shows and finally the Grand Carnival Parade which takes place on the last Sunday of the Carnival festivities. The Municipality in its capacity of the administration authority of the town plays for years a pioneer role in organizing and coordinating the Carnival festivities, relying upon the Limassolians’ interest and why not all those people’s who wish to participate in the Lemesos (Limassol) Carnival. Over the last couple of years, the main aim is the biggest possible participation of the Limassolians in these festivities. A second objective is to bring back elements, which are related to the identity of the traditional Carnival as the Limassolians remember it and have experienced it in the past.

Considering all the above-mentioned, Lemesos (Limassol) Municipality tries to introduce essential changes in the structure of the Carnival festivities which have then proved quite successful, especially with the massive participation of the inhabitants indeed. In a few words, the Serenaders’ shows take place at the central key points of the town like the Heroon Square, the Medieval Castle Square, the Market Square, the Irenes Street Park etc. The children’s parade takes place at the city centre, along the coastal street in front of the knoll, so that the public may participate directly as easy as possible. The traditional Tuesday dance is organized on the Medieval Castle Square and many people in fancy dresses participate to enjoy a special razzle-dazzle.

The participation of a remarkable number of groups of people walking and dancing along the streets has been achieved beyond the satiric and artistic floats, which proceed within the framework of the Grand Carnival parade. It has been an element that was totally absent over the last years. At the same time, it has been managed that many groups of Serenaders lead successfully up to the Grand Carnival Parade and then come all the floats and the groups of people walking and dancing in the streets in the sounds of a unique music. Finally, special consideration has been given to the decoration of the town. All the places where festivities are planned as well as the central key points of the town are decorated in an as ingenious way as possible.

2006 CARNIVAL

2005 CARNIVAL

2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990

How the Carnival was born and how it is celebrated