Languages
The official languages of Cyprus are Greek, Turkish and English. Visitors have no trouble communicating in English due to the fact that Cyprus was a British colony from 1878 until 1960, and even today the British maintain military bases on the island.
Arts & Music
Because of Cyprus' Greek background, there are many forms of art that are still present today! Some examples would be ancient ruins, building structure and windows. But art in Cyprus today is also very modern and new, with abstract faces and art cafes, Cyprus has it going on with art!
Fun Fact!
Cyprus was once owned by the UK so all of their cars have the driver on the right side, however, they drive |
Music in Cyprus is a variety of classical, folk and popular genres. Cypriot folk music is similar to the folk music of Greece and includes dancing. They hold many, many festivals with other countries or cities in the Mediterranean. With various operas and plays, Cyprus really does have a lot of musical influence!
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Religions
Most Greek Cypriots belong to the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus, while most Turkish Cypriots are Muslim. Other religions include the Maronite and the Armenian Apostolic. In rural villages, women attend services more regularly than men, and elderly family members are usually responsible for carrying out the religious obligations on behalf of the entire family. Church attendance is less frequent in urban areas. For most Greek Cypriots, religion revolves around rituals at home, adoration of icons, and strict observance of certain festivities. The religious services are long and colorful, with singing, and incense. Easter is the focal point of the church year, closing the fasting of the Lent season with an Easter eve vigil.
Foods
With an interesting culture comes interesting foods! This is just some of the great food in Cyprus!
Popular Cypriot Food & Descriptions
Meze - Literally means "small dishes." A style of eating that has many different courses, but each course contains just a little of each item, enough for everyone to have a taste.
Afelia: A Cyprus specialty made from pork, red wine, mushrooms, potatoes and coriander seeds.
Calamari - Fried squid. Calamari in Cyprus is tender and especially tasty with fresh lemon juice.
Feta - A salty, white cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk that is cured in a brine solution.
Halloumi - A Cypriot cheese made from sheep or goat milk. It has a high melting point and is usually fried or grilled. It can also be served in sandwiches, salads or with fruit particularly watermelon and wine.
Horiatiki Salata - A Greek or country salad. It is made of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, feta cheese, olives, olive oil, and vinegar - but no lettuce.
Hummus - A dip made from chickpeas and tahini. This is nearly always served as part of a meze however, it is originally Lebanese.
Tahini - A pureed sesame seed paste that can be used as a dip or as an ingredient for other dishes. (This is also of Lebanese origin).
Tirokafteri - A spicy, hot cheese dip.
Popular Cypriot Food & Descriptions
Meze - Literally means "small dishes." A style of eating that has many different courses, but each course contains just a little of each item, enough for everyone to have a taste.
Afelia: A Cyprus specialty made from pork, red wine, mushrooms, potatoes and coriander seeds.
Calamari - Fried squid. Calamari in Cyprus is tender and especially tasty with fresh lemon juice.
Feta - A salty, white cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk that is cured in a brine solution.
Halloumi - A Cypriot cheese made from sheep or goat milk. It has a high melting point and is usually fried or grilled. It can also be served in sandwiches, salads or with fruit particularly watermelon and wine.
Horiatiki Salata - A Greek or country salad. It is made of tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, feta cheese, olives, olive oil, and vinegar - but no lettuce.
Hummus - A dip made from chickpeas and tahini. This is nearly always served as part of a meze however, it is originally Lebanese.
Tahini - A pureed sesame seed paste that can be used as a dip or as an ingredient for other dishes. (This is also of Lebanese origin).
Tirokafteri - A spicy, hot cheese dip.
Sports & Recreational Activities
Cyprus often holds events such as golf, scuba diving, water-skiing, wind-surfing, paragliding, jet skiing, surfboarding, soccer, basketball, tennis and rugby. Cyprus is also a member or contender in FIFA and The Olympics. The most popular sport is soccer, most of the population plays or has played soccer. The most famous athlete in Cyprus is Marcos Baghdatis, who plays tennis.
Holidays In Cyprus
In Cyprus the Christmas season starts on December 6th, the Feast of St. Nicholas, and will last through January 6th, the Feast of Epiphany. Christmas in Cyprus is traditionally a solemn, religious holiday, and they love nothing better than to celebrate their holidays with food.
While other cultures have Christmas elves, the Cypriot equivalent is not so benign.
Mischievous and even dangerous sprites called "Kalikantzari" (or Calicantzari) according to myth; prey upon people only during the twelve days of Christmas, from Christmas Eve to Epiphany Day, on January, 6th. On the night on the 5th of December, it is traditional to lay out an offering on the doorstep (traditionally a plate of sweet honey balls or lokmades) to appease the kalikantzeri, and make sure they do not trouble you through the coming year.
The greek version of ‘Santa’ is Ayios Vasilis and he comes on New Years Eve. He traditionally brings one present. On New Years Eve traditional families make a cake, called a Vasilopitta, which they cut at midnight. Everyone takes a piece and hopes to find the coin that has been baked into it-as this indicates luck for the coming year. The cake is cut into many pieces but the first two pieces are not eaten, they are in remembrance of Jesus our savior, and to bless the house in which they live, then a piece is cut for every member of the family.
Epiphany Day is another great feast day. The whole family gets together for another day of lots of foods and drinks. Traditionally you would wake up, go to church, then come home and cook, cook, cook! Grandfathers and grandmothers "ploumizoun" (give money) to their grandchildren on the morning of Epiphany Day, on the 6th January. Children go to their grandparents or aunts and uncles early in the morning and say 'Kalimera ke ta Phota ke tin ploumistira prota" (Good morning on this day of light and let us have our gift first). The grandparents will be pleased and give them their tip (money/gift).
While other cultures have Christmas elves, the Cypriot equivalent is not so benign.
Mischievous and even dangerous sprites called "Kalikantzari" (or Calicantzari) according to myth; prey upon people only during the twelve days of Christmas, from Christmas Eve to Epiphany Day, on January, 6th. On the night on the 5th of December, it is traditional to lay out an offering on the doorstep (traditionally a plate of sweet honey balls or lokmades) to appease the kalikantzeri, and make sure they do not trouble you through the coming year.
The greek version of ‘Santa’ is Ayios Vasilis and he comes on New Years Eve. He traditionally brings one present. On New Years Eve traditional families make a cake, called a Vasilopitta, which they cut at midnight. Everyone takes a piece and hopes to find the coin that has been baked into it-as this indicates luck for the coming year. The cake is cut into many pieces but the first two pieces are not eaten, they are in remembrance of Jesus our savior, and to bless the house in which they live, then a piece is cut for every member of the family.
Epiphany Day is another great feast day. The whole family gets together for another day of lots of foods and drinks. Traditionally you would wake up, go to church, then come home and cook, cook, cook! Grandfathers and grandmothers "ploumizoun" (give money) to their grandchildren on the morning of Epiphany Day, on the 6th January. Children go to their grandparents or aunts and uncles early in the morning and say 'Kalimera ke ta Phota ke tin ploumistira prota" (Good morning on this day of light and let us have our gift first). The grandparents will be pleased and give them their tip (money/gift).