The municipalities have gone quiet but private organisations are trying to keep some Christmas cheer alive
By Gina Agapiou and Bejay Browne
No groups of school children singing ‘Jingle bells’ in the city centre, no Christmas fairs and no crowds going to see the Christmas lights being switched on. Welcome to Christmas 2020.
The lack of cultural events and chances for festive shopping are just two more examples of the dull affair our virus Christmas promises to be.
A quick review of the main towns reveals just how dull.
The Larnaca municipality has cancelled all of its usual events and even the popular Traditional Christmas market that usually takes place in Dhekelia in December has been cancelled after organisers struggled to ensure it would go ahead. Instead, stallholders are posting their products on Facebook.
Nicosia municipality is equally Christmas-free. The municipal spokeswoman said all events have been cancelled. The only public activity planned for this year is the Pop Up Festival where 20 local and international artists will present their ideas related to performing and visual arts. The festival launched on Saturday and lasts until January 3 at Theatro Polis Opap.
The eagerly awaited fairground Paramithoupoli, usually located staged in Strovolos, has been set up this year at the new Nicosia Mall but its rides remain closed, awaiting the hoped-for relaxation of the restriction measures which are due to be announced after December 13.
One slight glimmer of festive spirit for the more traditionally minded is that so far the Christmas carol service at St Paul’s Anglican church on December 20 is due to go ahead, but this year it will be held in two ‘sittings’ – at 6pm and 7.30pm – with maximum of 50 at each and worshippers must phone ahead to book their places.
The other stalwart of a Nicosia Christmas for English speakers, the Anglo-Cypriot Theatre’s annual pantomime, was cancelled long ago.
A 30-minute Facebook livestream will be held by six musicians from the Nicosia Youth Orchestra at 6pm on December 15 through the Leventis Gallery. The livestream will be open to the public.
Nicosia-based bar Leoforio has also scheduled a Christmas Sunday morning on December 20 with the children of Windcraft music centre and a Greek jazz Christmas spirit morning on December 24. (https://www.facebook.com/leoforeio)
Limassol municipality like Nicosia and Larnaca has cancelled all mass events but is trying to keep some semblance of a festive spirit alive.
The town’s philharmonic orchestra has arranged for small groups to play music in different parts of the town.
“There will be a duo or trio playing music in different parts of the town since we cannot hire large choirs this year,” the director of the cultural services at Limassol municipality Nadia Anaxagorou told the Sunday Mail.
The annual Christmas concert with classical music at the Ayia Ekaterini cathedral is also due to go ahead on December 19 with soprano Maria Papaioannou. Limassol’s 40-member philharmonic orchestra is also performing a concert at Pattihio municipal theatre at 6pm on December 26.
Even though most Christmas markets were cancelled as part of the coronavirus restrictions, one bar in Limassol pushed their event until later in the month in the hope it can go ahead.
Nand’s bar in Episkopi was planning a Christmas market with food, music and various stall holders selling decorations next week, which was transferred to December 19 and 20 .
Visitors will have to reserve a spot and wear face masks apart from when drinking or eating (Tel: 95 592343).
There is also little to look forward to in Paphos.
“The annual Santa run and charity bazaar are not taking place this year, and there are no municipal cultural events planned so far due to the pandemic,” a municipality spokesman told the Sunday Mail.
The Christmas village and train are currently cancelled too, he said.
Like the other cities, the Christmas decorations and Christmas tree are being put in place but without a public event to mark the occasion.
The popular annual Christmas Carol singing event that usually takes place at Paphos harbour which is organised by Paphos businesswoman and local soprano Judith Evans Davies, has also been cancelled due to the pandemic.
Private organisations, however, are trying hard to keep the season on track. Tickets to all events must be booked ahead of time.
Stage One Theatre is presenting further performances of A Christmas Carol: A seasonal burlesque, at Stage One Theatre, Emba, Paphos on December 10, 11, 12 at 6.30pm ([email protected]).
Technopolis 20 Classics is offering ‘Eight musicians, one concert’ on Thursday, December 10 at 6.30pm at the Markideion Theatre (Tel: 70002420)
The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra are putting on a Christmas concert on Friday, December 18 at 7pm at the Markideion Theatre (www.cyso.org.cy)
On Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, Michael Antoniou will perform at 7pm, at the Carpe Diem Lounge, Paphos. (Tel: 26 911005).
Many upcoming events are also listed and updated at www.paphosmusiclovers.com
