Applicant:
Phivos Stavrides Foundation - Larnaka Archives
Communities concerned – Bearers of the element:
Larnaca Municipality, Municipalities and communities in the Larnaca District, Phivos Stavrides Foundation, folk poets, musical and dance ensembles from the whole island, nautical clubs, craftsmen from all over Cyprus, peddlers from all parts of Cyprus.
Domain of Intangible Cultural Heritage:
Oral traditions and expressions
Performing arts
Social practices, rituals and festive events
Traditional craftsmanship
Date of inscription:
2015
Geographical Distribution:
The Kataklysmos Fair was held in all the coastal towns of Cyprus, although historical sources refer to the specificity of the Larnaca Kataklysmos Fair where people from the whole island participated. Today, the largest Kataklysmos Fair on the island is organized in Larnaca with the highest number of visitors, artists and peddlers. It is still held on the central coastal front of the city, along the Foinikoudes – Palm Tree promenade, starting from the Large Pier (the Marina) and stretching all the way to the Medieval Castle.
Brief Description:
The Larnaca Kataklysmos Fair is documented since the 19th century and takes place fifty days following Easter and includes the Friday preceding All Souls’ Day, All Soul’s Day or the day before Whit Sunday or Pentecost, Pentecost, Monday of the Holy Spirit (Whit Monday), Tuesday and Wednesday, known as “Kataklysmos” days (days of the flood) from the custom of sprinkling each other with water.
Today, the Kataklysmos Fair includes artistic events, a trade-fête and various other happenings associated with the feast. Parallel to the religious events on All Souls’ Day, Whit Sunday, Whit Monday or Monday of the Holy Spirit, a rich programme of celebrations is planned lasting six days and including competitions of traditional Cypriot folk poetry, love songs, oral poetic duelling known as “tsiattista”, traditional flute players and dancers. The traditional Cyprus dance competitions and the sailing, swimming, volley-ball, children’s song and amateur singer competitions are also important parts of the festival. The fête programme is completed with various entertainment programmes, folk music concerts, dance performances, satire and mimes, musical theatre performances, conjuring and juggling shows, children’s theatrical performances and “Karaghiozis” shadow theatre festival.
For the inhabitants of Larnaca as well as the Famagusta district, Kataklysmos is the most important social event and the greatest traditional, religious and folk festival. It also acts as a platform for spontaneous presentation of features pertaining to the Cypriot folk tradition.