Anastasia

Saturday Night Out at Ktima Georgiadi

Located on the old road Nicosia-Limassol, between Skarinou and Kofinou, at about 25 km from Larnaca, Ktima Georgiadi is probably one of the best options in Cyprus for a night out with good friends or family. The well-known Greek Cypriot singer Stella Georgiadi and her brother Pieris have made their father's dream come true: the return to innocence, the return to their roots, the return to tradition far away from the bright lights of the city. 

Ktima Georgiadi - my friend Andreas Morfitis on the dance floor.

Stella Georgiadi Live

My friend Andreas Morfitis who invited us to a great night out at Ktima Georgiadi.

My friends Stavros Rossos and Andreas Morfitis - alias "gerondas" - wise man.

Pieris and Stella have turned a traditional, old mansion into a Greek taverna  where you can let off steam, eat, drink, dance  and sing with Stella and her band.  In the summer, you can enjoy the show under the stars and the orange trees where Stella and her siblings played when they were kids.

Stella Georgiadi and her daughter Eleftheria who had her b-day yesterday. Her gorgeous mum sang Happy Birthaday to Eleftheria.

Stella Georgiadi who did not hesitate to give up on a bright career as a singer in Athens and return to her roots.

My husband Alkis

Last night, Alkis and I had a great time there with good friends. After a long week at work, it was THE perfect night out. Stella will welcome you to her mansion with an old Greek song which she sings amongst her guests without music or micro. A big hand follows and then the show begins with Stella and her band.  Prices are reasonable, yet the food needs to be improved. 

 

Photos and video by Anastasia Marou for Anastasia

 

Carnival Fun

The Limassol Carnival is one of the most important events in Cyprus, related to the Dionysian Festivals of the classical antiquity. It is a joyful and colorful event that attracts both young and old, locals and visitors, making Limassol the carnival center of Cyprus.

The festivities begin on Shrove Thursday (February 16th) with the entrance of King Carnival in town and  last for ten days. The Limassol Municipality organizes various events such as open-air parties, children’s parades and serenaders evenings.

Τhe Grand Carnival Parade on Sunday, February 26th, is the culmination of the carnival events. It will start at 13.30 from St. Nicholas roundabout and will proceed along Makarios III Avenue.

For the detailed programme click here

via www.cyprusevents.net

In Nicosia where I was born and reared, the Carnival was certainly not as popular as it has been for years in Limassol. As a child, I never used to dress up or go to fancy dress parties. Having been to the Carnival in Limassol about 10 years ago, I had so much fun that I decided to dress up for Carnival and go to fancy dress parties in Larnaca! Neredless to say I had a great time! But just like in hometown Nicosia, the carnival isn't very popular in Larnaca either, so I haven't been to a fancy dress party since 2008!

Funky Nurse in 2006

Crazy hippie in 2007

Brazilian Girl in 2008

Is Carnival popular in your area?

 

Giorgos Hadjinasios & Stavros Sideras: Music Nights

Stavros Sideras at the piano

Every year, especially in the summer, many Greek artists gig in Larnaca. The truth is I don't often go to gigs. They're usually too crowded and too noisy. But when I heard that one of Greece's greatest musicians, Giorgos Hadjinasios and my good old friend Stavros Sideras organised three music nights in the luxuariant gardens of  Mousio Theasis in Larnaca, I got tickets at once!

Giorgos Hadjinasios at the piano

This truly amazing performance started with four young artists - Dalida, Christos Hadjinasios, Pambina Kontea and Andronicos Lefkaritis and later 16-year-old Rafaela who is an opera soprano. They are all very talented and have great voices and I'm sure they will all make a dazzling career with such great masters to guide them and advise them. I was also impressed by the violinist's incredible virtuosity.

From left to right: Christos Hadjinasios, Pambina Kontea, Andronikos Lefkaritis, Dalida

Last night, Giorgos Hadjinasios and Stavros Sideras brought together almost all kinds of music with a strong emphasis on Greek music. For almost 3 hours, Mousio Theasis was filled with the sound of music and, of course we sang along! If you are in Cyprus, don't miss this event. A bottle of whiskey or a bottle of vodka or 2 bottles of Lazarides wine are included in the price for every four people together with a variety of finger food, nuts and fruit.

Last but not least, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart Giorgos Hadjinasios - it was such a great honour to have him here in Larnaca - and my great friend Stavros who is not just a great friend but also a great composer, singer, songwriter and a very successful  musical theatre writer.

End of School Year: Let Prom Start

End of May calls for school celebrations all over the island of Cyprus. High school graduates, in particular, are preparing for their final exams, looking  forward to adulthood and a promising future career but also to proms soon after exams are over. For most high school graduates it's a special night they've been  looking forward to for months beforehand. It seems that proms are also popular amongst  elementary school graduates who can't wait to start high school in September.

Proms nowadays have become much more liberal than they were in the past.  It's not really important to have a date or to be asked by the "perfect guy". More and more girls are choosing their own dates for the prom and more and more boys are going with a group of friends. Yet prom is still the main social event of high school graduates, but it is also a time for fun and the creation of memories for everyone to enjoy.

What was your prom like?

 

The Royal Wedding

This morning, Prince William, the second in line for the British throne, married Catherine Middleton in an orrnate ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey. The service was led by the Archbishop of Canterbury and attended by 1,900 guests, including foreign royal family members and heads of state. It is estimated that more than 600,000 visitors from all around the world flocked to London to witness the spectacle and participate in William and Catherine's happiness who are now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.The Wedding of the Century is a landmark in Great Britain's modern history.

As I am still on holiday (last holiday weekend!), I had the chance to watch the wedding live on TV. What impressed me most is that everything was organised impeccably, as planned - the exception being Prince William's slight delay to set off from Clarence House to  Westminster Abbey. He was escorted by his brother, Prince Harry, who was also the best man. Watching them walking down the aisle at Westminster Abbey, I realised how close to one another these young boys must be, especially after their mother's death.

However, the crowds gathered at Trafalgar Square were looking forward to seeing the bride depart for Westminster Abbey. Most importantly, they couldn't wait to see her dress! Soon after Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrived at the Abbey, Catherine and her father got into the Rolls Royce which drove them there. We could then only catch a glimpse of Kate's gorgeous wedding dress. When she got off the car at the Abbey, I was speechless! Her wedding dress, designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander MacQueen - the great fashion designer who recently passed away - was far beyond my expectations. It was exquisite! The absolute chic! The media compared her dress to Grace Kelly's wedding dress when she married Prince Rainier of Monaco, but to me, there was nothing to compare.

During the ceremony, the most touching moment was when the young couple exchanged their vows. Catherine could hardly speak - she'd just whisper her vows to the man of her life. I also loved the way she wore her hair loose against the Protocol. Inevitably, there was a comparison between Diana and Catherine. But once more, there was really nothing to compare and, to my mind, that was a very unfortunate comparison. Lady Diana was an innocent girl who had only seen Prince Charles 20 times before she was chosen by the Queen as her son's bride. She had no "say" in her wedding. Cattherine, on the other hand, had a long-term relationship with Prince William. They had been together for eight years before they finally decided to get married. Yet, I feel William must have missed his mum on his special day. But she was watching from above, from the world of angels, feeling proud of her son.

By 1:30 pm - London time - the world was looking forward to the traditional royal kiss from the central balcony of Buckingham Palace. It was a brief kiss and I felt that both Catherine and William blushed! Or maybe it was just an impression.. May their marriage be blessed with joy, faith and love.

All photos:  Associated Press

25 March 1821 - The Greek Revolution

March 25 is a landmark in the history of the Greek Nation. The Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire leading to freedom and independence started on March 25 1821. All over Greece and Cyprus, the day is celebrated with parades and tributes to our illustrious ancestors and the great heroes of 1821 whose self-denial opened up the road to Independence: Georgios Karaiskakis , Theodoros Kolokotronis, Athanasios Diakos, Laskarina Bouboulina,  Lord Byron and many others told the world that freedom can only be gained through sacrifice and patriotism.

The Byzantine Empire fell to the Turks in 1453 and the Greeks remained under the Ottoman rule for nearly 400 years. During this time their language, their religion and their sense of identity  became stronger than ever before. On March 25, 1821, the bishop Germanos of Patras raised the Greek flag at the Monastery of Agia Lavra in Peloponnese and the Greek revolution started against the Turks. Shouting out "Freedom or Death", the people of Greece, faithful to their heroic heritage, fought the War of Independence for 9 years  until a small part of modern Greece was finally liberated and  declared an independent nation. The struggle for the liberation of all the lands inhabited by Greeks continued. In 1864, the Ionian islands were added to Greece; in 1881 parts of Epirus and Thessaly. Crete, the islands of the Eastern Aegean and Macedonia were added in 1913 and Western Thrace in 1919. After World War II the Dodecanese islands were also returned to Greece.

The banner says: "Return to Ammohostos", now under Turkish occupation. In my heart of hearts, I know that one day we'll go back.

The Greek Revolution is interpreted by many Europeans  as a battle between the ideals of the ancient Greeks against the ruthless Turks who had been occupying and suppressing the descendents of Pericles, Socrates and Plato. Many, including  the British poet Lord Byron volunteered to fight in order to support the greek cause for freedom. Lord Byron spent the last year of his life in Greece, where he had fully invested himself in the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.

In Larnaca, just like in every single town or city of the Republic of Cyprus, 25 March was celebrated with a grand parade of the younger generation determined to preserve our heroic heritage.

  Hope you enjoy the video - just a glimpse of the parade in Larnaca.

 

Happy Birthday America

Wishing all my American friends Happy Independence Day. Hope you all enjoy your holiday.

The American War of Independence 

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known

as the American War of Independence, was a war between

the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British

colonies on the North American continent (as well as

some naval conflict). The war was the culmination of the

political American Revolution, whereby the colonists

overthrew British rule. In 1775, Revolutionaries seized

control of each of the thirteen colonial governments,

set up the Second Continental Congress, and formed a

Continental Army. The following year, they formally

declared their independence as a new nation, the United

States of America.

Source: The American Revolutionary War

July 4th - Customs and Traditions

Fourth of July is the American Independence Day and

celebrates the spirit of Patriotism and Freedom. The

only holiday dedicated to America, 4th of July is

associated with many traditions the major ones of which

are discussed here.

The day has forever been associated with favorite

customs like fireworks, parades, barbecues, beer,

picnics, baseball, outdoor parties, public and private

events honoring the nation. Being a summer holiday,

most events and entertaining takes place outdoors.

Fireworks are probably the most identifiable event for

Fourth of July. Fireworks have been associated with

Fourth of July since 1777. Firework shows are held in

many states and families and groups even buy them for

private use. Fireworks are often accompanied by singing

or music of patriotic songs.

Picnics and Barbecues have become Fourth of July

traditions due to main reasons. The first reason being

that summer is a lovely time to be spent outdoors and

the second being that these two are easiest way to

entertain a large number of guests.

Public events are common in most cities with state

politicians making an appearance for giving patriotic

speeches. Singing of the national Anthem and other

patriotic songs is also common. Fourth of July parades

are mostly held in the morning with red, white and blue

decorated floats.

Baseball, Football and Frisbee Games and other outdoor

and beach games are popular. There is also usually a host

of activities for kids like face painting, fairs and

carnivals organized at various public places.

Patriotic displays are commonly seen everywhere. People

customarily deck their houses with flags, buntings and

streamers in Red, White and Blue, the colors of the

American flag. Even the clothing worn by people on

Fourth of July reflects the colors and designs of the

Flag.

Source: Fourth of July Traditions

Kataklysmos - Flood Festival in Larnaca

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 make the most of the opportunity, staging 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 celebrates the descent of the Holy Ghost to the Apostles. 

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. Larnaka is particularly proud of the festivities it puts on for several days to celebrate Kataklysmos. 

Hmmm....he must have forgotten the parasol!

The sea front promenade takes on the appearance of an open-air fair with scores of stalls selling toys and traditional food. Traditional culture takes pride of place with a competition for chatista or rhyming songs in the Cypriot dialect. Other performers include popular Greek and Cypriot singers and dance troupes. In line with the spirit of the celebrations, events include competitions in the water.

Start:	May 23, 2010
End:	May 24, 2010
Category:	Cultural - Cultural Festival
Organiser:	Larnaka Municipality

via www.visitcyprus.com

Since Friday, Larnaca has been a pole of attraction for many tourists and people from all over Cyprus. Flood festivals are also organised in all coastal towns but none equals the glamour of the one in Larnaca. Officially, the festival starts tonight and ends tomorrow with a display of impressive fireworks. However, for the people of Larnaca the Flood Festival started on Friday and the fun will go on for about a week. In the past, I used to attend this event and join the fun almost every year, but the last few years I've been rather reluctant to mingle with crowds in noisy places. I'm not agoraphobic, it's just that I now prefer quiet places where I can really relax and enjoy myself.

Photos and Video - @anastasia.marou

Euphonic Night

Kyau and Albert have been DJing and producing music since 1993, with a long stream of hit singles, two artist albums and numerous remixes of tracks by the biggest names of EDM such as Armin Van Buuren, Paul Van Dyk, Gabriel & Dresden, Oceanlab, Kosheen, John Askew & Blank & Jones. Active in the scene and holding position 22 in DJ Mag's Top 100 Poll. The producers behind the tracks 7 Skies, Are you fine?, Grreat Megashira, Walk Down, Kiksu, Hooked on Infinity, Not with you, Velvet Morning, Made of Sun and many others. Supported over the years by every trance DJ in the world including the likes of Paul Van Dyk, Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Ferry Corsten and Above and Beyond.

Where the power of words ends, the music begins. Diverse and unique sounds, blended musical styles mashed up with a distinct fondness for groove in every sense, and you got Cressida. Launched in 2005, Matthias (Cressida) gained instant recognition for his tracks and remixes and worked with several labels including Lost Language, Baroque Records, Afterglow, Ava Recordings (managed by Andy Moor) and Somatic Sense only to name a few. 2008 was a breakthrough, the track “6AM” holds the record as highest charting trance-track and was the best selling trance single of the year 2008, got nominated for a beatport award and was featured on the compilation “In search of sunrise” by Dj Tiesto. The follow up of this hit, Onyric released in March 2009 has built a huge hype around while predictions see it taking the same ward path with 6AM.

The night will also feature sets by:

Johnny Rizk (MixFM)
Familiar in Cyprus from his show on MixFM radio and from his performances in big events with Ferry Corsten and Armin Van Buuren where he rocked the outdoor stage with a 5 hour+ phenomenal set. Catch his show 'Outbreak' on MixFM or at any time on cluboholic.com's DJ on Demand

Shadow vs DeepImpact

Special Euphonic Decoration, Lasershow, Dancers, Glowsticks & enhanced sound system.

When

Monday, December 21st, 2009

Time: Starts at 23:00

Where

Club Nuovo

11 Stasinou Street
Engomi

Nicosia, Nicosia Cyprus

Show venue on map

Cost

€20 / €25

 

Tickets for 20 euro are available at:

Nicosia:
Public (at Mall of Cyprus)
Potato Jack Makariou (ex Jack in the box)
Potato Jack Egkomi
Cafe Caprice

Limassol:
Potato Jack (Enaerios)
Public (MyMall Limassol)

Larnaca
Potato Jack

Online:
http://tickets.cluboholic.com

 

Christmas Gala With Musicals

The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra presents great moments from the musicals: My Fair Lady, Les Misérables, Cats, Cabaret, Chicago, Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, Man of La Mancha

• When: December 16th 2009
• Where: Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Nicosia, Cyprus
• Time: 8:30 pm 

Soloists: Katerina Andreou (photo) - soprano, Tsveta Christoforou - mezzo soprano
Can Tufan - tenor , Andreas Aroditis - baritone

Conductor: Spyros Pisinos

Ticket prices: €12 and pensioners €7
Free entrance for students, soldiers and EURO<26 card holders