Limassol Carnival Parade

When the rainbow descended on the City

It is like the heavens opened and instead of water, rained colour on the city. It is like a painter went berserk and made big, bold rainbow brush strokes wherever he could. It is like a fairy godmother came with a magic wand and turned everyone into dancing singing happy street dancers oblivious to the worries of the world. It is like today there was a heady potion in the air and everyone who breathed it in, uncontrollably broke into a dance and song. It had to be something in the air, otherwise how do you explain every living thing- young and old, big and small, male and female, in prams, wheelchairs or walking – or on a leash, yes even the dogs!- so unmindfully and unselfconsciously dressed to have fun.

It was a beautiful spring day, 1st March 2009, for the grand parade of the carnival. The happy world of Limassol looked distant and cocooned from the rest of the world with its recession, economic worries, frauds and scams. Not only those parading but the thousands lining the sidewalks of Makarios Avenue were just a bunch of partygoers who did not have a care in the world. There actually seemed to be very thin line between those in the parade and those watching them. The ones in the parade seemed to be spilling over into the crowds, giving sweets to the kids, waving to their friends, shaking hands and obliging those wanting to pose with them. The onlookers, nearly all fully or partly dressed in costumes, danced on the sidewalks or rushed in to meet the dancers breaking into a spontaneous jig. There was certainly no difference in the amount of energy or enthusiasm. And anyone who may be slightly lacking was quickly infected.

I wonder sometimes how long before the Limassol carnival, people who participate in it, start preparing and thinking about it. It must take so much planning; ideas are innovative, costumes so professional. What to be this year? How to be different from the others? To choreograph the act. And Carnival is hidden somewhere till just before it starts and suddenly bursts on you like a splash of color and in all its glory. The decorations go up, parties are in full swing and everything matches the warmth and colors of spring. The twelve days before the grand parade, there are parties everywhere, municipality has a calendar full of events and every evening pubs and cafes are bursting at the seams with people out to have a good time.

The limassol carnival aims to draw people out of their homes. Cannot imagine anyone could stay in. It also draws people out of their shells of inhibitions, self consciousness, worries and daily strife. There is hope, optimism, gaiety and energy in the air.

My son took hundreds of pictures of the Limassol Grand carnival parade and each one just underlines the spirit and the vibrant colourfulness more and more.

/VanG/