Holidays

Holidays in Cyprus

This holiday overview is limited to the Greek-speaking Republic of Cyprus, which occupies the largest part of the Mediterranean island in terms of area and is the most common holiday destination for tourists. While Islamic festivals such as Ramadan are celebrated in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, the south is characterized by a mixture of Christian Orthodox festivals and Greek Cypriot national holidays.

The colourful festivals in honour of the various patron saints in towns and villages are particularly worthwhile. However, the most important festival of the year in Cyprus is clearly called Easter.

Overview (of public holidays)

New Year’s Day – January 1

Holy Three Kings – January 6

Green Monday (Greek Orthodox Rose Monday) – February

Greek National Day – March 25

Greek Good Friday and Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox)- March/April

Greek Cypriot National Day – April 1

Labor Day – May 1

Pentecost Monday (Greek Orthodox) – May/June

Mary Ascension Day – August 15

Independence Day – October 1

Greek National Day – October 28

Christmas – December 24-26

Worth knowing about selected holidays

Green Monday

Green Monday corresponds to the Central European Rose Monday. However, the Greek Orthodox Church’s carnival falls on a later date, as it is calculated according to the Julian calendar. Green Monday is the last opportunity to celebrate before the 50-day Lent until Easter. In Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos, fancy dress balls are also often held in the days leading up to it.

Easter

At Easter time, Cyprus is a worthwhile destination. The whole country seems to be in a state of emergency. On Easter Sunday, which is also calculated according to the Julian calendar, Cypriot families barbecue their Easter lambs and kids on spits outdoors, often inviting strangers to join the feast. According to the Christian Orthodox understanding, on this alone should be.

With its very strict fasting rules, Holy Week culminates on Easter Saturday in long church services that do not end until midnight with a giant fireworks display. Afterwards, the redemption is celebrated extensively.

Mary’s Assumption

The Christian holiday of the Assumption of Mary on August 15 is celebrated in a very special way in Cyprus. The whole country goes on picnics on this day. After Easter, the Assumption of Mary is the most important religious festival in Cyprus. In many places large church celebrations take place on this day.

Greek Cypriot National Day

April 1 is considered the Greek Cypriot national holiday and commemorates the revolution of the Cypriots against the British occupation. The island nation won independence from Britain, whose colony Cyprus had been since 1925, in the 1960s in a civil war led by the Greek Cypriot organization EOKA. The Cypriots had rejected British rule from the beginning. The national holiday on April 1 is also called “EOKA Day.”

The Cypriots’ great desire for freedom is also evidenced by Independence Day on October 1.