Limassol Carnival 2011

The Limassol Carnival is an important institution; a tradition for the Limassolians, which remains alive and will survive throughout times. It is festivity so much 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 t his period of the year or live permanently on the island, are passionate to expect it.When the carnival is pronounced, it remind 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. 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.

Several Carnival events take place all over Limassol from the 21st of February until the 6th of March.

Carnival Programme:

The Carnival begins! From the 21st until the 24th of February the Town Crier, will be announcing the beginning of the Carnival all around Limassol.

Monday 21 February

7.30p.m. Panos Solomonides Municipal Cultural Centre
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with the Cyprus Photographic Society – Limassol Branch, will be organizing a Pancyprian Photographic Competition and Exhibition on the theme ‘Limassol Carnival’. Duration: 21 February – 4 March.
With the participation of the Ariones Choir and the Limassol Majorettes.

Tuesday 22 February

7.30p.m. Townhall
The Limassol Municipality will be honouring old serenaders and guitarists: Panikos Michaelides, Roulis Pallikaropoulos and Totis Tsikouris – Trio Los Amigos.
Speaker: Alekos Oratis

Wednesday 23 February

6.30p.m. Theomaria Art Gallery
(7 Vasilissis Karlottas & Elenis Paleologinas)
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with the Theomaria Art Gallery will be organizing an exhibition and a workshop on creating ceramic masques. The workshop will be held from the 1st of February to the 5th of March.

7.30p.m. Art Studio 55
23Α Andrea Drousioti, Heroes’ Square
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with Ikepana Group will be organizing an exhibition on the theme ‘Carnival 2011’.
Duration: 23 February - 2 March.
The Georgalletos Serenaders’ Group participates.
The Mayor of Limassol Andreas Christou will inaugurate the exhibitions.

Thursday 24 February

12.00 (noon)
The Limassol Serenaders will be singing at Saripolou Square. The shop owners of Saripolou street invite you to a Carnival Feast.

2.00p.m. – 6.00p.m. Enaerios Parking Place
The Limassol Municipality co-organizes a carnival party with the student councils with music performed by a DJ.

6.30p.m. Town Hall
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with the Limassol Union of Self-Educated Painters will be organizing an exhibition titled ‘Carnival 2011’.
The Mayor Andreas Christou will inaugurate the exhibition.

7.00p.m.
The "Queen of Amazons" will be entering the town in a festive atmosphere on an illuminated float accompanied by the Limassol Serenaders, Ariones Choir, the Limassol Municipality Band, the Batucinio percussion instruments group, the Limassol Majorettes, the Mayor and the Municipal Council.
The parade will initiate from the Town Hall at 7.00p.m. and will pass by the following streets: Archiepiskopou Kyprianou, Athinon, Anexartisias, Ayiou Andreou, Karaiskaki (Municipal Library), Stasinou, Andrea Drousioti and terminate at the Heroes’ Square where a party will take place accompanied by the music group, Ritmo Di Carnaval.
Fireworks from the Town Hall start at 7.00p.m.

Friday 25 February

8.30p.m. Children’s Choirs, Rialto Theatre
Evening of serenades and carnival songs by the following children’s choirs: Student Orchestra of stringed instruments and the Choir of Papadakeion Municipal School of Music, Epilogi Music Workshop, the Gearmasogia Cultural Club Choir and Tsireio School Choir.

Saturday 26 February

10.00a.m. The Limassol Antique Cars Club will drive around the city in a carnival mood.
Starting point: Enaerios Parking Place
Ending: Grigori Afxentiou Square (District Office Building)

11.00a.m. – 2.00p.m. Grigori Afxentiou Square (District Office Building)
The Limassol Municipality in collaboration with the CUT and the radio station Choice FM 104.3 will be organizing a treasure hunt (for information and participation call 25820820).

11.00a.m. The Municipality’s train will be touring around the city.
The Youth Choir Epilogi will be on board of the train singing carnival songs.
Starting point: Limassol Co-operative Savings Bank (Gladstonos Street).

12.00 (noon) The Choir Tetrafonia of Limassol will be singing at "Pantopoleio" Restaurant at the First Municipal Market.

8.30p.m. A Carnival Ball will take place at Erma’s Auction Centre (48 Gladstonos Str.).

Sunday 27 February

11.30a.m. Children’s Carnival Parade
Starting Point: Sea front road (opposite Citizen Service Centre)
Ending: Fitidion Athletic Centre (close to the Municipal Zoo)
All groups will be given participation diplomas.

6.00p.m. Serenaders’ Event at PERAMA with songs by Georgalletos Serenaders and dance performance by the dance school Alexastero. The event is dedicated to the memory of Giorgos Georgalletos.

7.00p.m. Serenaders’ Event at Hellenic Bank (Gladstonos 52) with songs by Ariones Choir, Limassol Serenaders and Monterni Keri Choir.
Free drinks and snacks will be offered.

Monday 28 February

Serenaders touring Limassol on illuminated floats:
7.00p.m. Ariones Choir will be singing at the areas of Petrou & Pavlou and Ayios Georgios Havouzas.
7.00p.m. Edon Serenaders will be singing at the area of Ayios Antonios.

Tuesday 1 March

Serenaders touring Limassol on illuminated floats:
7.00p.m. Giorgalletos Serenaders will be singing at Ayia Fyla.
7.00p.m. Limassol Serenaders will be singing at Zakaki.
7.00p.m. Monterni Keri Choir will be singing at the areas of Apostolou Andrea and Ayios Ioannis.

8.30p.m. “Tuesday’s Carnival Fiesta”, Grigori Afxentiou Square (District Office Building)
People of all ages are invited by the Limassol Municipality to attend the event in disguised costumes and participate in different carnival spree with music and dancing.
Carnival Costume Competition – Awards for the best three.

Wednesday 2 March

7.00 p.m. Serenaders’ Evening - Heroes’ Square
Serenaders’ Evening with the participation of the following groups: Giorgalletos Serenaders, Monterni Keri Choir, EDON Serenaders and the Group of Cypriot Serenaders.

Thursday 3 March

8.30 p.m. Carnival Ball
Panos Solomonides Municipal Cultural Centre
The Dreams Choir and Elena Solea invite you to sing and dance to popular carnival hits, followed by a DJ.
Carnival Costume Competition – Awards for the best three.

Friday 4 March

12.00 (noon) The Group of Cypriot Serenaders will sing at Ayiou Andreou street.
The Limassol Municipality invites you to a carnival feast.

Saturday 5 March

10.00a.m. The Limassol Antique Cars Club will drive around the city in a carnival mood.
Starting point: Enaerios Parking Place
Ending: Grigori Afxentiou Square (District Office Building)

6.30p.m. Serenaders’ Parade
Groups of Serenaders will gather at 6.00p.m. outside the Pattichion Municipal Theatre. At 6.30 p.m. they will start serenading, ending at the Grigori Afxentiou Square (District Office Building). From 5.00p.m. Georgia Protopapa’s Vocal Ensemble, Emmelia Choir and the choir Mousikes Periplanisis will be singing at the Grigori Afxentiou Square.
The Limassol Municipality invites you to sing and dance with the Serenaders.

Sunday 6 March

1.30p.m. Grand Carnival Parade
Archbishop Makarios III Avenue
Starting Point: Ayios Nikolaos Round About
Ending: Simillides Traffic Lights
The parade will begin with the Serenaders, the Limassol Majorettes, the Batucinio percussion instruments group and the Limassol Municipality Band, followed by the ‘Queen of Amazons’ and her entourage, floats, individuals and groups of carnivalists.
All groups will be given participation diplomas.
During the parade, former carnivalists will be honoured by the Limassol Municipality for their precious contribution to the Limassol Carnival.

8.30p.m. Farewell Carnival Fiesta – Enaerios Parking Place
The Carnival will end with a grand outdoor Carnival Ball with carnivalists and music.
Carnival Costume Competition – Awards for the best three.
Fireworks start at 9.00p.m.

The programme is subject to unexpected changes.
For information: Cultural Services, Limassol Municipality
Tel. 25 342153 & 25 745919