Free potato dishes, live music and tradition at festival

This summer has a lot in store – music festivals, village festivities, seaside parties and loud concerts. The events agenda is packed with things to do, places to visit, performances to watch and this week, one festival offers tasty treats to eat! It is time for the 12th Pancyprian Potato Festival of Avgorou, where the region’s pride and joy, the potato, becomes the night’s protagonist. Promising to be bigger and better than ever before, the festival this Saturday, July 25, is set to be an important gastronomic, cultural and artistic event for Avgorou and the neighbouring villages. With a full programme, the festival is back to offer a rich music soiree, and of course, a taste of tradition and the region’s local produce. Free tastings of hot and cold potato-based dishes will be available throughout the festival. For heartier meals, food stalls will serve meals and desserts such as oven-baked kleftiko, souvla, spiral potatoes, loukoumades, ice cream, crêpes and more. As doors open at 6pm, a special two-hour live broadcast with Zenith FM will kick off the festival. Radio producers Rikkos Ioannou and Marianna will set the mood for a fun night with this set. Thirty minutes later, a live cooking demonstration with audience participation will take place. There, sweet mini potato pancakes will be prepared and offered for tasting. Around the festival grounds, Avgorou’s municipal stadium, an exhibition will be set up showcasing potato varieties and offering a glimpse into the world of potato cultivation, agricultural machinery, tractors and traditional farming exhibits. Local producers and professionals from agricultural sectors will have themed stands nearby, sharing more insights into their work. Later in the evening, the festival’s most anticipated events will take place – concerts with big Greek stars. This year, the festival has invited Katy Garbi to be the headliner, joined by another renowned singer, Dionysis Schinas. Representing the new generation of artists, Marseaux will also take the stage, making sure visitors experience an exceptional night of live music. With just a €5 admission free, the festival celebrates local produce and culture, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds – united by the love for, well, potatoes! 12th Pancyprian Potato Festival Annual summer festival with food, potato exhibition, produce stands, market, drinks and live music. July 25. Avgorou Municipal Stadium, Famagusta district. 6pm. €5. Tel: 99-457014. www.facebook.com/patatafestcy. [email protected]