Traditional August festivals fill villages with music, culture and food

August in Cyprus is a time of gathering around a big table late at night, swimming from beach to beach, dancing in squares, playing bingo and going on road trips. Live music, folkloric dancing, seasonal produce and local culture come alive as traditional village festivals return. But which are the bext to visit? Kicking off this Friday, August 7 and lasting until August 22 is the Lefkara festival, which is set to bring entertainment, artisans and visitors together. Its events begin with the opening of a silversmith and embroidery exhibition, followed by a concert which pays tribute to the great singer Marinella. On August 8, the music choices continue with a live performance by Thanos Petrelis and Eleftheria Eleftheriou, while the rest of the month’s agenda includes a bridge pairs tournament, a street food festival and a Cypriot comedy sketch. Also happening this Friday is a rural festival dedicated to a summer fruit closely related to Cypriot culture. The 31st Prickly Pear Festival returns to Nata village in the district of Paphos for one more year, offering free fruit to visitors and a village festival experience dressed in Cypriot hospitality. The festival begins at 8pm. Later in the month, the Kato Mylos Peach Festival will showcase its juicy peaches through an exciting one-day agenda. The date is set for August 22 when the Cultural Centre I Rodakinia will come alive with produce stands, fresh fruit, traditional products, handcrafts, activities for young visitors, live entertainment and, of course, peach-flavoured delights in various forms. The Kato Mylos Peach Festival One more summer fruit will get its place in the spotlight this August – Paphos’ rich oranges. Mamonia village, in the Paphos district, presents the Mamonia Festival on August 22 at 8.30pm, dedicated to the region’s oranges. The agenda includes food and drinks, orange flavours and concerts by Nikos Romanos, Agni Erodotou and Irodotos. Another Paphos village, Emba, organises the 11th Kolokasi Festival this month. On August 28, the Ayios Charalambos Emba Lyceum will host a big festival with a big cultural agenda. Apart from kolokasi (taro root), the evening will host a concert by the popular Greek singer Elli Kokkinou and Giorgos Papadopoulos. Finally, the 5th Zygi Fish Festival will take place on August 29, and it will feature a live radio link with Zenith FM, live cooking shows by chefs Christos Christodoulou, Savvas Savva and Chryso Lefou, free fish tasting, a market, activities inspired by the life of a fisherman and live entertainment. The headliner of the night will be Giorgos Tsalikis, who will perform a lively, summery set, right by the sea. The Zygi Fish Festival 44th Lefkara Festival Annual summer festival with concerts, theatre performances, street food, exhibitions, games and more. August 7-22. Lefkara village, Larnaca district. Tel: 24-342822. www.lefkara.org.cy 31st Nata Prickly Pear Festival Annual summer festival celebrating prickly pears and tradition. August 7. Nata village square, Paphos district. 8pm Kato Mylos Peach Festival Annual summer fruit festival. August 22. Kato Mylos, Limassol district. 11am-12am. Free admission. www.facebook.com/katomilos Mamonia Festival Village festival celebrates oranges. Live music, food and drink. August 22. Mamonia village, Paphos district. 8.30pm. €20 include food and one drink. €15 for children. Tel: 99-608381, 99-405009, 99-845030 11th Kolokasi Festival Village festival with live music by Greek singer Elli Kokkinou, and Giorgos Papadopoulos. August 28. Emba village, Paphos district. 8pm. €10. Free for children under 10. Tel: 26-953135 5th Zygi Fish Festival Live cooking shows, free fish tasting, children’s activities, and a concert by Giorgos Tsalikis. August 29. Zygi village, Larnaca district. 5pm onwards