Anfestiria in Cyprus (06/05)

The Festival of Flowers in Cyprus or Anfestiria – is not just a holiday, but a tribute to the extraordinary riches of the nature of this island.

Especially on the occasion of the holiday, which takes place annually at the state level, a commission of biological scientists meets, which sums up the results of independent research into the life of the flora of their country. Everything is taken into account: from counting the places of accumulations of rare plants to planning the breeding of new varieties of fruit crops, herbs and flowers.

The fact is that by European standards there are very few garden flowers in Cyprus. You will hardly see flower shops or shops on the streets. Giving a bouquet to a woman – is a luxury that not every Cypriot man can afford. For celebrations such as a wedding or anniversary, flowers are ordered in advance. And then, basically, these are – flowers brought from Latin America or the Netherlands. Therefore, on the day of Anfestiria, when wide flower fairs are held, it is considered simply indecent not to present at least a flower to the one you love! Also on this day they try to give flowers to everyone: relatives, friends, neighbors and colleagues.

The festival of flowers, Anfestiria, is dedicated specifically to those plants that grow in Cyprus. There are about two thousand species of a wide variety of plants on this small island, of which about 150 are endemic, that is, those that grow only in Cyprus. These are, first of all, – wild orchids, daisies, wild tulips, gladioli, lilies, irises, peonies. The gardens contain bushy roses and bright oleanders. In the mountains, at the foot of monasteries and churches, flower symbols of Cyprus grow – Alpine violets, anemones and daisies. According to legend, these flowers were born from the tears of Aphrodite, born in the coast of Cyprus, and the blood of her lover Adonis, the son of King Cynir of Cyprus.

I would like to say right away that Cyprus is especially beautiful in spring, late autumn and early winter. The island is covered with herbs, some flowers are already drying up in the sun and changing color, while some are just opening.

Anfestiria is traditionally held in May. May in Cyprus is already considered a summer month, but it is still a – special time when there is no hot heat yet, and all the plants seem to be stocking up on vital energy in order to survive the dry summer.

There is always a carnival dedicated to Anfestiria, which is held in Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca. Pathos – center of flower celebrations. Along Poseidon Street, which leads to the Old Harbour, there are platforms, lushly decorated with flowers. Along the edges of the roads there are also girls holding bouquets and wreaths of flowers. Bright colors, fragrant aromas, storm of emotions – all this is Anfestiria!

The word Anfestiria itself comes from the Greek anthos, which means «flower». In the ancient Greek calendar, Anfestirion was the month in which the new Attic year began. Anfestirion lasted from February 7 to March 8.



One day, the wife of the Cypriot king Kinir said that her daughter Mirra was more beautiful than the Foamed Aphrodite. Deciding to take revenge, Aphrodite persuaded Mirra to pester the king himself, her own father, with passionate caresses, and conceive a child from him. Having learned about what he had done, the king became furious with Mirra and decided to throw him into a cliff. Aphrodite arrived in time and turned Myrrh into a myrrh tree, from the crack of which little Adonis appeared. Hiding him in a casket, Aphrodite handed him over to the kingdom of Hades, into the hands of Persephone, who looked into him out of curiosity, extracted Adonis and raised him. When Aphrodite returned for the casket, she discovered that Adonis had become Persephone's secret lover. Turning to Zeus, Aphrodite and Persephone received the answer: they have equal rights to Adonis, and therefore Adonis must spend an equal amount of time with each of them. The year was divided into three equal parts, one was intended for Aphrodite, the second – for Persephone, the third – for Adonis himself. The cunning Aphrodite charmed the young god, and Adonis enjoyed spending two parts of the year with Aphrodite. Upon learning of such injustice, Persephone persuaded Aphrodite's lover Ares to kill Adonis, which he did. Mourning her murdered lover, Aphrodite discovered that droplets of blood oozing from the wound turned into marvelous and gentle anemones that opened with the touch of the wind and flew away with it. According to legend, Adonis dies every autumn and is born again every spring.

These days, Anfestiria – is one of the most beloved and fun holidays, both among the Cypriots themselves and among tourists. For those who were lucky enough to see all this with their own eyes in May, impressions will last for many years to come.

In addition to the carnival, musical performances, folk dance competitions and a flower fair are organized throughout the cities and villages of sunny Cyprus during the Anfestiria period. From the very beginning, literally everyone strives to get to it and have time to buy what they had to their heart.

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