Carnival in Paphos
Paphos only pretends to be a boring resort for British retirees—just take the famous spring Paphitiko Carnival, for example!
What is the Paphos Carnival
This is a large-scale event dedicated to the Maslenitsa festivities. It begins on "Smoky Thursday", when everyone is busy grilling meat. On this day, the pre-chosen "king" of the carnival enters the city, accompanied by a retinue. The carnival begins with a festive concert.
Then, over the course of 10 days, Maslenitsa week takes place, with periodic local festivals, culminating in a grand parade on Saturday before Lent. The final parade is a truly grand spectacle with numerous moving platforms and hundreds of dancers.
Paphos Carnival 2024
This year, the final part of the carnival will feature more than 50 platforms with musicians and dancers, and the number of spectators among locals will exceed 7,000 people.
On March 7, at the beginning of the carnival, the audience will enjoy a concert by the band Kings and Greek singer Panos Kalidis. On Saturday, March 16, at 3:30 PM, the grand parade will start from Griva Digenis Avenue and end at Evagoras Pallikaridi Avenue.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Carnival
Will the roads be closed?
The Paphos Municipality announces that as part of the Paphitiko Carnival, parts of highways will be closed on March 7 and 16, 2024, and traffic rules will be temporarily changed. You can read more here about the schedule and the streets that will be closed.
What is the theme of the carnival in 2024?
The theme of this year's celebration will be Ancient Egypt and its pharaohs. More than 50 festive platforms will be organized as part of the carnival in Paphos.
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Author
Born and raised in Yekaterinburg, visited more than 40 countries, lived in the USA for some time, and in 2022, moved to Northern Cyprus. Education: Ural State University (now Ural Federal University), Faculty of Political Science and Sociology. Professional Experience: Since 2008, worked in the…