Originally, the season was called ‘springing-time’: a reference to plants ‘springing’ from the ground (as opposed to fall – the original term for autumn; turns out the Americans have this one right! – when gravity kicks in). Then it was shortened to ‘spring-time’. And now we have spring! But it’s not just the greenery that’s on the up and up: this time of year sees a whole host of events springing into being, starting with CyHerbia’s annual celebration of the season…
Now in its fourth year, the CyHerbia Botanical Park’s Fairy Festival is a carnival of merriment; a fete of magical moments in which imagination rules okay and whimsy is king. Billed as ‘a celebration of spring’ the festival takes place on April 6 and 7, with ‘faeries, princes and princesses, knights, pixies and pirates, gathering round’ in a salute to the new season.
“At this time of year Nature dresses herself in wild flowers and lush green foliage, so what better way to celebrate all this new growth than to join her?” asks Miranda Tringis, founder and owner of CyHerbia and the creative mind behind the park’s many events. “People love to experience something new,” she continues, “and whereas fairy festivals have been popular fantasy events in the UK and the US for years now, it’s a fairly new concept for Cyprus. But it is,” she adds, “an event which has been heartily embraced by the Cypriot public.”
With activities for parents, kids, and parents and kids together, the festival is a must on any family’s weekend calendar. The theme this year is Your Wildest Dreams, and visitors of all ages are encourage to maximise imagination: dressing up as their favourite fantasy character and enjoying a day in a world where “anything is possible…
“CyHerbia is a magical place where you can escape from your day to day reality and spend time in nature,” Miranda explains. “The maze, the woodland shaped in the outline of Cyprus, the herb gardens and the witch cottage – all speak to the imagination. It’s a place which inspires just such events, and allows us to share the magic of nature with all who come to join us.”
While previous festivals have seen everything from maypole dancing to mediaeval archery, there’s always something novel and inventive springing to life in the park. This time, it’s the Fairy Village: a new permanent feature in the woodland. “Walking around the Village, you get a peek into a miniature world,” Miranda reveals, describing a realm of whimsy and wonder, complete with fantastical fairies, enchanting elves, and a host of tiny abodes hidden among the tree trunks and on the forest floor.
Alongside the more traditional happenings (the Adventure in the Maze, the Treasure Hunt, and various Costume Competitions) we’ve also got a handful of activities adding to the general excitement, activities led by a host of magical characters…
The Court Jester will be creating merriment wherever he goes, and is in charge of the stilt walking activity – “It’s not as difficult as it looks, and our jester will show you just how it’s done!”. Then we’ve got The Magic Fairies, who are “ready to help you make your own magic wand, and then teach you how to project your wildest dreams onto their magic dreamcatchers in the woodland.” There’s a Knight, complete with a full set of clanking armour, who’s set to revive the Mediaeval art of ring tilting – “which is actually more difficult than it looks!” laughs Miranda. And, in the maze, we have the forest deity Pan, who has lost his precious panpipes – “Can you help him find them?!” There’s also a Story-gatherer – “an elf who is older than the mountains and creeks, and needs your help to unlock the spell which keeps his Storybook shut” – and even a travelling Victorian Alchemist who will be performing her magic potion tricks at the “unique and never before seen Steampunk Alchemy Show!”
Perhaps the most important figure in the festivities is the Faerie Queen, who will be supervising the entire day. “The Fairy Queen oversees everything that’s going on in her kingdom and will give out prizes for best costumes,” Miranda explains, adding that both children and adults can win a prize or two in the costume competitions. “The Fairy Fest is,” she concludes, “a wonderful opportunity for all ages to allow their imagination free reign, to dress up and live out their fantasy at a truly magical event!”
Fairy Fest
CyHerbia Botanical Park in Avgorou. April 6 and 7, from 10am to 6pm. Entrance is €6 per person, under 3s go free. For more information, visit www.cyherbia.com
