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

Comments

[Tina]

I knew nothing of these "flood/Pentecost festivals before reading this.
I am like you in that, while I like the idea of mingling with the crowds at a happy event, somtimes I would rather stay home and enjoy the peace and quiet. More often, the older I become, I am perfectly happy with a weekend evening spent at home.

[Faith]

This seems like a really nice weekend. I too, getting old, tend to be more of a home body, Tina. When I am on vacation I tend to be more adventurous. I used to love the 4th of July celebrations and experiencing the fireworks, picnics, outdoor/water activities..... now..... not so much. I watch PBS and the Boston Pops on TV. When I go to Turkey this summer, I will definitely be more adventurous.... and will sleep a lot when I return home.

[Agnes]

Oh Anastasia, I love the vibe, the crowd and everything else!

[Phivos]

Φέτος, δεν τα καταφέραμε να επισκεφθούμε την αγαπημένη Λάρνακα! Του χρόνου πια!!

[Stefania]

Being from Larnaca, it has been a tradition for my family to go to the festival of Kataklysmos. I love the atmosphere, the music, the dancing, the games and the food. The boys also love it and have never missed it! We had a great time last night and the fireworks were great as every year but this year they were much brighter!

[walid]

Habebti.

Hello what a pity that such traditional celebrations are going to be forgotten by the name of the modern Civilization.
It is a pity that the old ones, still active and the new generation doesn't care.It is not impotent from out side it is not as Valentine day where to prove one Love.To me it is a tradition which must never die must still go on and on,till time stop.
Does any one of you reliesed, that on the fifteenth day after Easter on Monday it will rain ,it is related to the same celebration.
Even People who follow profit Mohamed Has the same fifty days after FIT ER the day Ramadan ends and they stop fasting.Fifty days later they Celebrate Al Adha which is the big feast.
In my town they use to have a big feast eating drinking Nucking Churches Bells and most of all the traditional dances with sward and Shields and lifting heavy wights .
May all your days be full of Happiness and Love.God Bless.
With Love Walid.

[Bobbin Talk]

Ohhhh! That looks like so much fun!!!
We had a Greek festival here on 21, 22, 23, 24 and it was so much fun!!! Tons of festivities, food, rides and kids high on sugar!!