Paphos Flood Festival 2010 (Kataklysmos)

A Greek Orthodox festival with strong pagan roots focusing primarily on water, Kataklysmos or Festival of the Flood marks the day of the Holy Spirit. Coastal cities seize the opportunity to stage concerts and games near the waterfront, but even inhabitants of inland towns and particularly children – their water guns a necessary accessory, enjoy a good ‘splash’. The feast of the Pentecost or Whitsun is marked 50 days after Greek Orthodox Easter. It is known also as the day of the Holy Spirit as it commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost to the Apostles. But in Cyprus, the celebrations also hark back to the Old Testament tale of Noah’s Ark, the Greek myth of Deukalion and ancient ceremonies in honour of Aphrodite and Adonis.

In Pafos, Kataklysmos is celebrated outside the castle and at the harbour, and include concerts, dance groups and water sport competitions.