THIS YEAR’S Limassol carnival kicks off on Friday as the Carnival King and Queen make their appearance outside the town hall.
The royal pair will appear in a chariot filled with lights and will be accompanied by majorettes, minstrels, the town train and various groups in fancy dress.
Speaking to reporters at a press conference yesterday, Limassol mayor Demetris Kontides outlined this year’s carnival festivities, which will last 11 days, noting that this year particular emphasis is being given to serenade evenings.
“During this huge affair, which will take place daily from February 23 to March 5, serenades and carnival songs will be performed by seranaders and choirs at various central points in town,” he said.
The House of Letters and Arts would open its doors to the carnival festivities on February 24 at 7pm with a painting exhibition themed around carnival, he said.
Three outdoor dances have also been organised, he added. “The dance of Tuesday” on February 28 in Limassol castle’s square at 8.30pm, “Thursday’s dance” on March 2 in the square east of the Municipal market at 8.30pm and the farewell carnival dance on March 5 in the castle square at 8.30pm.
Finally Kontides thanked the Limassol Carnival Fund for its unfailing support in the past 10 years and for its contribution of £25,000 this year.
Jewel thief thwarted
A PAPHOS burglar was thwarted in an attempt to make off with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery at the weekend after the jewellery shop’s alarm system frightened the robber away.
At around 3am on Sunday, the would-be thief tried to break into a jewellery store by throwing a stone through the shop window. Before the thief could make off with anything the shop’s alarm system sounded the burglar took off, said police. The shop owner alerted police immediately who blocked off various points around the tourist area. However they were unable to locate the culprit, said police.
Traffic blitz
POLICE yesterday confirmed 541 drivers were booked for various traffic offences at the weekend. Continuing in is efforts to clamp down on the number of traffic accidents and in an effort to raise drivers’ road safety awareness, the authorities carried out traffic campaigns around the island from 6am on Friday till 6am on Sunday.
During the hours of Sunday morning alone, Nicosia traffic police booked 142 drivers for speeding, three for using a mobile phone while driving, four for not wearing a seat belt and 17 for various other offences.
Meanwhile in the remaining districts, 129 motorist were reported for speeding, 60 for running red lights, 41 for using a mobile phone while driving, 15 for holding up traffic, 42 for driving without a seatbelt and 88 for various other offenses, said police.
