Kataklysmos in Cyprus

Kataklysmos arrives 50 days after Greek Easter and is a water festival marked by festivities in all sea side towns. Water is believed to cleanse mankind of its sins and enable new life on earth.The Water Origin of the festival is also from the book of Genesis (Noah's Ark) and the great flood. The festivities themselves probably originated from the celebration of the birth of Aphrodite, who arose from the waves on the Southern coast of Cyprus. Larnaka is famous for its celebration of Kataklysmos more than other coastal towns. Festivities start early with the morning on the beach, with a hearty fish meze in the tavern and then by afternoon, the fair has started in full form. You can find all the delicious village sweets and other sundries. Cypriot villagers manning the stalls have come for the celebration and for them it still is a very meaningful day. They are actually my favourite Cypriots. Toothless old men and women dressed in black, they are touchingly friendly, warm and simple. For most of these Cypriots it is a family event, with a bit of business on the side, if it happens. You can see the table beside the stall, food, grandchildren playing, toys and the younger family members in swim gear going for swimming contests, boat trips, para-sailing demonstrations and banana-rides . Larnaca seafront promenade comes alive with fairs, boat races, music, dance and poetry. In limassol, the celebration is a watered down version. There is a fair on the promenade and all day you can see young girls and boys throwing water balloons at each other and playing with water guns.