It’s that time of year. Wherever you live in Cyprus the carnival has come to town but for some it is more than just a bit of fun
EVEN though Christmas is fun and it is said that children enjoy it more, there is another season when it’s acceptable to be jolly, funny and someone else. You can be Cleopatra or a chicken during the carnival season and you can act as stupidly and childishly as you please. The dressing-up season is a time young and old look forward to. Clubs and schools arrange parties and competitions giving everyone the opportunity to be whatever and whoever they want.
But for one person in particular, the carnival season has been a tad more important than Christmas ever since he can remember. Marios Drousiotis is the current owner of Maske Amalias, a small shop in Nicosia with a big history. “Amalia is the name of my mother,” explained Marios, “and she was fascinated with everything that had to do with the carnival. She used to make our costumes ever since we were children and she used to dress me and my seven brothers and sisters in all sorts of funny outfits.” What started as a hobby, ended up being a very serious business with faithful customers, such as politicians and other ‘serious’ people.
“This was actually the home where I was born,” he said, gesturing around the shop, “but we moved out when I was three-years-old and my mother turned it into a shop where she would stitch, sew and make costumes for us and other people. But after a few years she decided to import costumes from Athens, from where we still import.”
The shop has grown a lot since 1965 when the business started, both in content and extent. “It used to be half this size but gradually we expanded and decided to bring in more costumes,” explained Marios, “so even though it looks small from the outside, it’s got a lot of depth and all the corners are jam packed with accessories and clothes.” Marios showed me around and explained that all the costumes are for rent. They range from children’s to those for men and women and just by having a quick look around it was apparent that whatever you feeling like dressing up as, Maske Amalias can oblige. “We have the typical couples that people love such as Romeo and Juliet or Cleopatra and Anthony,” said Marios producing a couple of amazing costumes, “and we also have, what we call mascot costumes such as Tweety or a chicken or even a cow, however, they are a bit uncomfortable but you definitely know you won’t be recognised.”
Maske Amalias is this year they are celebrating 40 years of excellence in the carnival field. “People know who we are and they trust us,” said Marios, “so one month before the carnival, we make sure we are open, the costumes are clean and people come in ready to have a great time.”
l Maske Amalias is open everyday including Saturdays and Sundays from 9 – 9. Tel: 22 774403
SEVEN DEADLY QUESTIONS
What car do you drive?
A Honda Civic
Describe your perfect weekend
A perfect weekend would be spent with my wife and children in Athens, preferably at the Olympic Games again because we had such a great time
Assuming you believe in reincarnation, who or what would you come back as?
I would come back as myself
What is your greatest fear?
I’m terrified of death
What is your earliest memory?
I remember my school years in detail because I was a very energetic child and I was always up to mischief
What did you have for breakfast?
I had some toast and a coffee
What is the last item of clothing you bought?
I bought a casual suit
