Bank holidays in Cyprus 2024: essential guide to traditions and festive food

Day	Name	Name in Greek
Monday, 1 January	New Year’s Day	Πρωτοχρονιά (Protochronia)
Monday, 18 March	Green Monday	Καθαρά Δευτέρα (Kathara Deftera)
Monday, 25 March	Greek Independence Day	Εθνική Εορτή της Ελλάδας (Ethniki Eorti tis Elladas)
Monday, 1 April	Cyprus National Day	Επέτειος της Κυπριακής Εθνικής Επανάστασης (Epeteios tis Kypriakis Ethnikis Epanastasis)
Wednesday, 1 May	Labour Day	Εργατική Πρωτομαγιά (Ergatiki Protomagia)
Friday, 3 May	Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church)	Μεγάλη Παρασκευή (Megali Paraskevi)
Monday, 6 May	Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church)	Δευτέρα του Πάσχα (Deftera tou Pascha)
Tuesday, 7 May	Easter Tuesday (Greek Orthodox Church)	Τρίτη του Πάσχα (Triti tou Pascha)
Monday, 24 June	Pentecost	Πεντηκοστή (Pentikosti)
Thursday, 15 August	Assumption Day	Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου (Koimisi tis Theotokou)
Tuesday, 1 October	Cyprus Independence Day	Ημέρα Ανεξαρτησίας της Κύπρου (Imera Anexartisias tis Kyprou)
Monday, 28 October	Greek National Day	Επέτειος του Όχι (Epeteios tou Ochi)
Wednesday, 25 December	Christmas Day	Χριστούγεννα (Christougenna)
Thursday, 26 December	Boxing Day	Σύναξη της Θεοτόκου (Synaxi tis Theotokou) or Δεύτερη μέρα των Χριστουγέννων (Defteri mera ton Christougennon)

Traditions

New Year’s Day / Πρωτοχρονιά

On New Year’s Day in Cyprus, families celebrate with special foods and traditions that mark the start of the new year with joy and hope.

Main Food:

1. Vasilopita: A special cake baked with a coin hidden inside. The person who finds the coin is believed to have good luck for the year.
2. Koulouri: Sesame bread rings often enjoyed with breakfast.
3. Roasted Meats: Such as lamb or pork, served with potatoes and other vegetables.
4. Sweets: Various traditional pastries and desserts like melomakarona (honey cookies) and kourabiedes (almond cookies).

Traditions:

1. Breaking the Pomegranate: A pomegranate is smashed at the doorstep to bring good luck and prosperity.
2. First Footing (“Podariko”): The first person to enter the house on New Year’s Day is believed to bring good luck. This person often steps in with their right foot first.
3. Card Games and Gambling: Playing cards and games for fun and luck, as it’s believed that luck on this day can influence the rest of the year.
4. Fireworks and Celebrations: People celebrate with fireworks, parties, and gatherings with family and friends.

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Green Monday / Καθαρά Δευτέρα

On Green Monday in Cyprus, families celebrate the start of Lent with outdoor picnics featuring vegetarian and vegan foods like:

Main Food:

1. Olives
2. Bread
3. Vegetables
4. Fruit
5. Dips: Hummus and tahini
6. Lagana: A special flatbread baked only on this day.

Traditions:

1. Picnics in Nature: Families gather outdoors to enjoy the fresh air and natural surroundings.
2. Flying Kites: A popular activity symbolizing the start of Lent.
3. Abstaining from Meat, Dairy, and Fish: Marking the beginning of the Lenten fast.

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Greek Independant Day / Εθνική Εορτή της Ελλάδας

On Greek Independence Day in Cyprus, celebrated on March 25th, families enjoy traditional foods and partake in various customs and events:

Main Food:

1. Bakaliaros Skordalia: Fried salted cod served with garlic potato dip.
2. Lentil Soup: A staple dish during the Lenten period.
3. Spanakopita: Spinach pie.
4. Greek Salad: Fresh vegetables with feta cheese and olives.

Traditions:

1. Parades: Military and school parades showcasing national pride.
2. Church Services: Attending special services to commemorate the day.
3. Cultural Events: Folk dances, music, and performances celebrating Greek heritage.
4. Wearing Traditional Costumes: Many people dress in traditional Greek clothing for the festivities.

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Cyprus National Day / Επέτειος της Κυπριακής Εθνικής Επανάστασης

On Cyprus National Day, celebrated on October 1st to mark the island’s independence from British rule in 1960, the following foods and traditions are prominent:

Main Food:

1. Souvla: Large pieces of meat (usually lamb or pork) slow-cooked on a skewer.
2. Halloumi: Grilled or fried cheese, a Cypriot specialty.
3. Sheftalia: Cypriot sausage made with minced meat, onions, and parsley.
4. Kleftiko: Lamb marinated and baked in a sealed container to retain its juices.
5. Salads and Dips: Greek salad, tzatziki, and taramosalata.

Traditions:

1. Parades: Military and civilian parades showcasing national pride and unity.
2. Cultural Events: Traditional music, dance performances, and exhibitions celebrating Cypriot culture and history.
3. Fireworks: Displays in the evening to celebrate the independence.
4. Ceremonies and Speeches: Official ceremonies and speeches by government officials highlighting the significance of the day.

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Labour Day / Εργατική Πρωτομαγιά

On Labour Day in Cyprus, celebrated on May 1st, people typically enjoy a day off work with family gatherings, picnics, and outdoor activities. The following foods and traditions are common:

Main Food:

1. Grilled Meats: Various types of barbecued meats, such as souvlaki (small skewers of meat).
2. Halloumi: Grilled Cypriot cheese.
3. Fresh Salads: Seasonal vegetables, often including tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives.
4. Bread and Dips: Pita bread with dips like hummus and tzatziki.
5. Fruit: Seasonal fruits such as oranges, strawberries, and melons.

Traditions:

1. Picnics: Families and friends gather in parks and the countryside for picnics and barbecues.
2. Parades and Demonstrations: Organized by labor unions and political groups to advocate for workers’ rights and celebrate labor achievements.
3. Outdoor Activities: Enjoying nature with activities such as hiking, playing sports, and socializing.
4. Cultural Events: Folk music and dance performances, often highlighting Cypriot culture and traditions.

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Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church) / Μεγάλη Παρασκευή

On Good Friday in Cyprus, observed by the Greek Orthodox Church, the day is marked by solemn religious practices and specific traditional foods and customs:

Main Food:

1. Lentils: Prepared simply, often with vinegar, as a humble meal.
2. Vegetables and Bread: Light, simple meals with no olive oil, reflecting the somber nature of the day.
3. Olives and Pickles: Eaten as part of the fasting rules.

Traditions:

1. Church Services: Attending the “Service of the Epitaphios,” a moving evening service commemorating the burial of Christ.
2. Epitaphios Procession: A procession where a decorated bier (symbolizing Christ’s tomb) is carried through the streets, accompanied by hymns and prayers.
3. Fasting: Observing a strict fast, refraining from meat, dairy, and olive oil.
4. Decorating the Epitaphios: The community gathers to decorate the Epitaphios with flowers, an important and communal activity.

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Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church) / Δευτέρα του Πάσχα

On Easter Monday in Cyprus, following the Greek Orthodox Church, the celebrations continue with joyous activities and special foods, reflecting the triumph of Easter Sunday.

Main Food:

1. Flaounes: Cheese-filled pastries with raisins and mint, specific to the Easter celebration.
2. Roast Lamb: A traditional meal symbolizing the Lamb of God.
3. Red-Dyed Eggs: Cracked as a game called “tsougrisma” to symbolize the resurrection.
4. Kolokotes: Pumpkin pies often made with raisins and bulgur wheat.
5. Sweets and Pastries: Various traditional sweets enjoyed throughout the day.

Traditions:

1. Family Gatherings: Families come together for meals and celebrations.
2. Outdoor Activities: Enjoying nature with picnics, games, and social gatherings.
3. Traditional Music and Dancing: Folk dances and music are performed, enhancing the festive atmosphere.
4. Visiting Friends and Relatives: Exchanging Easter greetings and gifts, continuing the joy of the resurrection.

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Easter Tuesday (Greek Orthodox Church) / Τρίτη του Πάσχα

On Easter Tuesday in Cyprus, the celebrations from Easter Sunday and Easter Monday continue, with a focus on community gatherings and traditional activities. The day is marked by festive foods and cultural practices.

Main Food:

1. Flaounes: Cheese-filled pastries, a staple of the Easter celebration.
2. Leftover Roast Lamb: Often enjoyed in various forms, such as in sandwiches or salads.
3. Red-Dyed Eggs: Used in games and as part of meals.
4. Bread and Salads: Fresh bread and vegetable salads are commonly served.
5. Pastries and Sweets: Traditional desserts like koulourakia (butter cookies) and various pastries.

Traditions:

1. Community Picnics: Families and friends gather in parks and the countryside for communal meals.
2. Traditional Games: Games like “tsougrisma” with red-dyed eggs and other folk games.
3. Music and Dance: Folk music and traditional dancing continue to be an integral part of the celebrations.
4. Visiting Neighbors and Relatives: Extending Easter greetings and sharing food with loved ones.
5. Church Services: Some may attend additional church services, but the focus is more on community and family activities.

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Pentecost / Πεντηκοστή

On Pentecost, also known as “Kataklysmos” in Cyprus, the celebrations involve a mix of religious observances and unique cultural traditions that mark the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

Main Food:

1. Seafood: Fish, octopus, and squid are popular as Pentecost often falls during a fasting period.
2. Grilled Meats: For those not fasting, grilled meats such as souvlaki.
3. Fresh Salads: Seasonal vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives.
4. Traditional Pastries: Sweets like loukoumades (honey puffs) and daktyla (finger-shaped pastries).
5. Fruit and Nuts: Fresh fruits and nuts are commonly enjoyed.

Traditions:

1. Church Services: Attending the Divine Liturgy, which includes special prayers and hymns celebrating the Holy Spirit.
2. Water Festivals (“Kataklysmos”): Unique to Cyprus, featuring games and activities by the sea or rivers, including splashing water on each other to symbolize purification and renewal.
3. Processions: Religious processions and blessing of the waters, particularly in coastal areas.
4. Fairs and Markets: Setting up of fairs with traditional music, dance, and food stalls.
5. Boating and Swimming: Enjoying water-related activities such as boating and swimming, aligning with the theme of water in Kataklysmos.

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Assumption Day / Κοίμηση της Θεοτόκου

On Assumption Day, celebrated on August 15th in Cyprus, the focus is on honoring the Virgin Mary with specific foods and religious traditions.

Main Food:

1. Seafood: Since it falls during a fasting period, seafood such as fish, octopus, and squid are commonly eaten.
2. Vegetable Dishes: Stuffed vegetables, such as peppers and tomatoes, often with rice.
3. Legumes: Lentil and bean dishes.
4. Fruit and Nuts: Fresh seasonal fruits and a variety of nuts.
5. Halva: A sweet made from tahini, often enjoyed during fasting periods.

Traditions:

1. Church Services: Attending the Divine Liturgy and participating in special prayers and processions honoring the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
2. Decorating Icons: Churches and homes are adorned with flowers, particularly around icons of the Virgin Mary.
3. Pilgrimages: Many people visit monasteries and churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
4. Family Gatherings: Families come together for meals, often after attending church services.
5. Festivals and Fairs: Local festivals, known as “Panigyria,” featuring traditional music, dancing, and food, often take place.

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Cyprus Independence Day / Ημέρα Ανεξαρτησίας της Κύπρου

On Cyprus Independence Day, celebrated on October 1st to mark the island’s independence from British rule in 1960, the festivities include special foods and patriotic traditions.

Main Food:

1. Souvla: Large pieces of meat (usually lamb or pork) slow-cooked on a skewer.
2. Halloumi: Grilled or fried cheese, a Cypriot specialty.
3. Sheftalia: Cypriot sausage made with minced meat, onions, and parsley.
4. Kleftiko: Lamb marinated and baked in a sealed container to retain its juices.
5. Salads and Dips: Greek salad, tzatziki, and taramosalata.

Traditions:

1. Parades: Military and civilian parades showcasing national pride and unity.
2. Cultural Events: Traditional music, dance performances, and exhibitions celebrating Cypriot culture and history.
3. Fireworks: Displays in the evening to celebrate independence.
4. Ceremonies and Speeches: Official ceremonies and speeches by government officials highlighting the significance of the day.
5. Flag Displays: Homes, buildings, and streets are adorned with the national flag.

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