Limassol Wine Festival 2011

Cyprus’s wine capital Lemesos lives up to its reputation as a party town with a wine festival that it hosts every year. Held at the Municipal Gardens, just across from the coastal promenade, in September, this event has been a regular fixture since it was first launched in 1961.

The Wine Festival began as a tribute to the island’s long winemaking tradition, growing in size and variety over the years. Inspired by the ancient festivals dedicated to the God of Wine Dionysos and the Goddess of Beauty and Love Aphrodite, it combines fun and merrymaking with ample wine and food and a variety of performances from local and international artistic groups. Addressed to permanent residents as well as foreign guests, the Wine Festival offers an opportunity to sample different local wines from large and small wineries, and traditional Cypriot food.

PROGRAM

Thursday 08/09/2011 at 8.00 p.m.
Official Opening of the Wine Festival at the Municipal Garden

- Limassol Philarmonic Orchestra.
- Address by the Mayor of Limassol.
- Official opening of the gates of the Wine Festival by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Dimitris Christofias.
- Music performance by Costas Makedonas and the “Giorgalletos” Choir.
- Award ceremony of the Guinness record for the biggest wine glass in the world.

PROGRAM A
Municipal Garden Theatre, 8.00 p.m.

Friday 09/09/2011
Concert by Costas Makedonas and the “Giorgalletos” choir, with traditional wine songs and popular hits from the greek singer.

Saturday 10/09/2011
The theatre group of Pattichion Center of Limassol presents a comedy of Michalis Pitsillidis directed by Vassos Vryonidis.

Sunday 11/09/2011
The “Dionisos” theatrical group presents a Cypriot comedy of Charis Pissias directed by Edmond Manousi.

Monday 12/09/2011
The central stage Doros Kiriakidis presents a comedy directed by Doros Kiriakidis. Starring Olga Potamitou, Kostas Schiniou, Christina Terezopoulou, Giorgos Nikolaou, Elisavet Mplakki, Stella Potamitou, Michalis Stylianou and Doros Kiriakidis.

Tuesday 13/09/2011
The “Epigonoi” theatrical group presents a comedy with the participation of Andreas Argiridis and six well-known professional actors.

Wednesday 14/09/2011
The theatre group of “Satiriko” presents a Cypriot comedy of Achilleas Limpouridis directed by Stelios Kaukaridis.

Thursday 15/09/2011
An innovative astonishing magic show presented by the internationally renowned Cypriot magicians Andreas and Nikolas Liotatis.

Friday 16/09/2011
The Folkor Association of Limassol presents traditional dances and songs.
Concert by Leonidas Pitsillidis and his orchestra.

Saturday 17/09/2011
The theatre group of “Skala” presents a comedy of Michalis Pitsillidis directed by Andreas Melekis.

Sunday 18/09/2011
Concert by the popular Greek band “Trimitonio”.

PROGRAM B
In front of the “Vraka Man” statue, 9.00 p.m.

Friday 09/09/2011
Traditional wine songs by the Group of Cypriot Serenaders.

Saturday 10/09/2011
Traditional wine songs by the “Ariones” Choir.

Sunday 11/09/2011
Regaling and popular songs by the “Rembetiki Parea”.

Monday 12/09/2011
Traditional wine songs by the Group of Cypriot Serenaders.

Tuesday 13/09/2011
Traditional wine songs by the “Ariones” Choir.

Wednesday 14/09/2011
Popular and folklore songs by the music band “Avgerinos”.

Thursday 15/09/2011
Traditional wine songs by the Group of Cypriot Serenaders.

Friday 16/09/2011
Traditional wine songs by the “Ariones” Choir.

Saturday 17/09/2011
Traditional wine songs by the Group of Cypriot Serenaders.

Sunday 18/09/2011 8.00p.m.
Traditional wine songs by the “Ariones” Choir.

Sunday 18/09/2011, 9.00p.m.
Closing ceremony with music and dancing by the “Limassol Cultural and Dancing Association Dionysos” and the participation of the public.

PROGRAM C
At the tennis court, 8.00 p.m.

Friday 9/9/2011
An innovative astonishing magic show presented by the internationally renowned Cypriot magicians Andreas and Nikolas Liotatis.

Saturday 10/09/2011
The Cultural association “NEOI ORIZONTES” presents Greek folk dances.

Sunday 11/09/2011
The Cultural Dancing Group “ZIDROS” presents folk songs and dances.

Monday 12/09/2011
An innovative astonishing magic show presented by the internationally renowned Cypriot magicians Andreas and Nikolas Liotatis.

Tuesday 13/09/2011
The Traditional Cultural Association “Konta stin Paradosi” presents an artistic show with Cypriot folk dances and songs.

Wednesday 14/09/2011
The “Cultural and Folklore Workshop Konion” presents folk dances from Crete and Thrace.

Thursday 15/09/2011
The “Folklore Research Association” of Limassol presents a Cypriot traditional festivity.

Friday 16/09/2011
The Cultural association of the Communal Council of Apesia, “Tremithos”, presents Cypriot folk dances.

Saturday 17/09/2011
The Dancing association of the Technological University of Cyprus presents Cypriot folk dances.

CHILD PERFORMANCES
At the Municipal Puppet Show Theatre, 7.30p.m.

Saturday 10/09/2011
The puppeteer Giorgos Idalias presents a hilarious comedy.

Sunday 11/09/2011
The “Pafios” shadow theatre presents a hilarious comedy.

Saturday 17/09/2011
The “Charalambos Charalambou” shadow theatre presents an entertaining comedy.

Sunday 18/09/2011
Mpananoulis and Pipi at the Wine Festival.

During the Wine Festival the Limassol Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra is performing various melodies at different locations in the garden on the following dates:

- Thursday 08/09/2011, 7.30 p.m.
- Sunday 18/09/2011, 7.30 p.m.

Fringe events prior and during the Wine Festival:

Thursday 1st September, 8.00 p.m., Studio 8
An event to the honor of Limassol artists, Goris Grigoriadis, Andreas Mitsis, Giorgos Mavrogenis, Sotiris Psaras, Marcos Constantinidis, Costas Mavrogenis and Emilios Nicolaou for their contribution to the Wine Festival. The “Ariones” choir accompanies the event.

Sunday 04/09/2011, 9.00 a.m.-3.00 p.m.
The Municipality of Limassol in collaboration with E.KA.TE. organises a pancyprian “graffiti” contest at the Municipal Garden.

Monday 05/09/2011, 8.00 p.m. Municipal Cultural Center “Panos Solomonidis”
The Municipality of Limassol in collaboration with the Photographic Company of Cyprus Limassol-Department organises a photographic exhibition entitled “50 years of Wine Festival”. From 5-18 September with the participation of the group of Cypriot Serenaders with traditional wine festival songs.

Monday 05/09/2011 and Tuesday 06/09/2011, 8.30 a.m.
Wine tasting room at the ETKO wine industry
Wine tasting by three members committee. The committee will be leaded by Dr Georgios Soleas, Superior Vice president, of security & quality of the Monopoly of Canada.
Members: Thoukis Georgiou (Oenologist/ Viticulturist), Giorgos Kassianos (President of Someliers of Cyprus).

Wednesday 07/09/2011, 5.00 p.m., Municipal Cultural Center “Panos Solomonidis”.
Colloquium entitled “Wine and its beneficial effects on human health”.

1) Beneficial effects of wine to our health: Dr Georgios Soleas, Superior Vice President of the Monopoly of Canada.
2) Anti-cancer effects of wine: Dr Nikos Zampoglou, Professor of radiotherapeutic oncology at the Hospital of Offenbach in Germany.
3) Wine in moderation: Mr Stylianos Filopoulos, Representative of the European Committee of Wine Companies.
4) Revival of the indigenous varieties of vine: Dr Akis Zampartas, President of the Committee of Wine Experts.

Thursday 08/09/2011, 7.30 p.m. starting from the Office of C.T.O in Germasogeia/ Saturday 10/09/2011, 12 noon at the parking place of Enaerios.
A parade of 50 antique cars will take place in the city and the tourist area by the Club of classic cars of Limassol “LEPAL”.

Saturday 10/09/2011, 11.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m.
Music and dancing performances in squares located in the city center.
- Folklore Association of Limassol – Square of municipal market.
- Cultural dancing association “Dionisos”- Square of Grigori Afxentiou (District Administration Office Square).
- The “Limassol Folklore Research” association at the courtyard of the church of Ayia Napa.
- The Dancing association “Zidros Polemidion” – Square of the Medieval Castle.

EVERY EVENING A COMPETITION TAKES PLACE AT THE WINEPRESS

CYPRUS WINE MUSEUM
Live the experience of five thousand five hundred years in Cypriot wine making, while enjoying your glass of wine and getting familiar with the wide variety of wines produced today.
Open daily from 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. at Erimi village, bus route 16.
For further information: tel. 25 873808

Buses for the Wine Festival (free of charge)

Friday 09/09/2011, Saturday 10/09/2011, Sunday 11/09/2011
Friday 16/09/2011, Saturday 17/09/2011, Sunday 18/09/2011

Lefkosia
6.30 p.m. Departure from Cyprus Handicraft Centre in Lefkosia
8.00 p.m. Arrival at Wine Festival
11.00 p.m. Departure from Wine Festival
00.15 Arrival at Cyprus Handicraft Centre in Lefkosia

Larnaka
7.00 p.m. Departure from Vasileos Pavlou Square (CTO Information Office)
8.00 p.m. Arrival at Wine Festival
11.00 p.m. Departure from Wine Festival
00.00 Arrival at Vasileos Pavlou Square (CTO Information Office)

Agia Napa
6.30 p.m. Departure from Agia Napa Monastery (Parking Place)
8.00 p.m. Arrival at the Wine Festival
11.00 p.m. Departure from the Wine Festival
00.15 Arrival at Agia Napa Monastery (Parking Place)

Pafos
6.30 p.m. Departure from the Municipal Parking Place (near the mosaics)
8.05 p.m. Arrival at Wine Festival
11.00 p.m. Departure from Wine Festival
00.00 Arrival at the Municipal Parking Place (near the mosaics)

Hill Resorts (1st Bus)
6.30 p.m. Departure from the Kakopetria Square
7.00 p.m. Arrival at the Platres Square and departure from the Wine Festival
8.00 p.m. Arrival at the Wine Festival
11.00 p.m. Departure from the Wine Festival
11.30 p.m. Arrival at the Platres Square and departure for the Kakopetria Square
00.00 Arrival at the Kakopetria Square

Hill Resorts (2nd Bus)
6.30 p.m. Departure from the RODON Hotel in Agros
8.00 p.m. Arrival at the Wine Festival
11.00 p.m Departure from the Wine Festival
00.00 Arrival at the RODON Hotel in Agros

EMEL
The Limassol Municipality has made arrangements in collaboration with the Limassol Public Transportation Company (EMEL) to offer FREE go and return TRANSPORT to the Wine Festival visitors.

Dates:
Friday 09/09/2011, Saturday 10/09/2011, Sunday 11/09/2011
Friday 16/09/2011, Saturday 17/09/2011, Sunday 18/09/2011

Place and time of meeting:

Zakaki
Saint Barbara Church – Panicos & Socrates club, opposite Petrolina station, AEZ Zakakiou – Municipal Garden

Ayia Phyla
Commercial centre, Ayias Phylas housing settlement – Eleias Street – Ayias Phylas Coffehouse – 1st April main road – Kapsalos housing settlement coffeehouse – Kapsalos AMEK – Municipal Garden

Ayios Athanasios
Commercial centre, Ayios Athanasios housing settlement: Esteas Street – 14th Junior School of Mesa Yitoneia – Lordos bus stop before the ARIEL traffic lights – Municipal Garden

Polemidia
Zedros club – Karmiotissa club – Polemidia Town Hall – Evaggelistrias Street – Nicos Pattichis street – Municipal Garden

Yermasoyia
Yermasoyia parking place – Saint Paraskevi, Linopetra coffeehouse – Saint Nicolas OLYMPOS – Municipal Gardern.

Ay. Ioannis Neighbourhood
35th road Coffeehouses – Makarios house settlement coffeehouses – Proodos club – Makarios avenue (opposite Fire Station) – Pizza Hut – Lanitio bus station – Municipal Garden

Buses departure time will be 7:30 p.m.: direction Municipal Gardern while return is planned at 10:45 p.m.

For further information please contact the Limassol Public Transportation Company (EMEL), tel 77778121 during working hours.

General Information

Opening hours: 7.00 p.m. – 11.00 p.m.
Friday/Saturday: 7.00 p.m. – 11.30 p.m.

Ticket price:
Adult (above 18 years old), €6.00 including bottled wine
One FREE bottle by the wine industry of your choice amongst the following: ETKO, KEO, LOEL, SODAP and the Fikardos wine industry.
The ticket includes participation in a draw. First prize a car offered by Emporium Cars Ltd.
Teenage (from 13 to 18 years old), €5.00
Child (up to 12 years old), €4.00

Plastic Wine bottle: €1.50
Wine glass: €1.50
Wine glass with stem: €2.50

Parking:
The Municipality of Limassol offers an enormous parking space located on the eastern side of the Municipal garden Theatre.

The programme is subject to unpredictable changes.
For further information please call:
25 344402, 25 344952, 25 745919