Nicosia events not to miss this weekend

The sun is out, Easter holidays are just around the corner and events are picking up. There seem to be plenty of reasons to feel a slight mood boost and this weekend, Nicosia is thriving in fun, cultural events and performances.

Coming up on Friday is a one-woman stand-up show in Greek by Natalia Panagiotou. Nat in da House, as the comic performance is called, is organised by the Yasemin Collective and presents one hour of pure laughter inspired by Natalia’s life experiences. The show was developed during a residency programme by Theatro OPAP/NiMAC and was first presented as part of the Nicosia Pop-Up Festival. This Friday, Natalia is putting together one more night of laughter at Yfantourgeio the Workplace at 8.30pm.

On Saturday morning, a free guided Nicosia tour will set off from Eleftheria Square and it is one of many that Visit Nicosia, Visit Cyprus and the Nicosia Municipality are organising. Some 50 more free tours are scheduled to run until the end of the year in both Greek and English. Saturday’s tour will be in English and will start at 10am to take guests on a walk visiting the most important landmarks of the city. The three-hour tour aims to embark on a journey into the history of the old and new city. Almost all of April’s tours will be held in English, all times and registration links can be found on the Visit Nicosia website.

Also taking place on Saturday is an Indian lunch at the Home for Cooperation served by chefs from Soul Curry. Between 11am and 3pm, Soul Curry will be making delicious Indian meals to take guests on a culinary trip to the land of diversity. Think butter chicken, pakoras, shahi paneer, rajma chawal and a refreshing mango lassi to cool down.

Sunday will continue the food feast as a Street Food Festival is taking place at Neo Plaza in Kokkinotrimithia. This won’t be an ordinary food fest though as it has a Lent theme, serving up dishes from around the world yet Easter-proof for those who are fasting. From 12pm to 4pm street food trucks will serve all sorts of meals from paella and falafel to seafood, smoked potatoes with vegan mayo and plant-based burgers. A DJ set and dance and music performances from various groups are to entertain the public in a one-day event that aims to raise funds for the Alkiinos Artemiou Foundation.

Nat in da House

One-woman comedy show. April 15. Yfantourgeio the Workplace, Nicosia. 8.30pm. €10. In Greek. Tel: 96-269637

Free Guided Nicosia Tours

Three-hour historical landmarks tour. April 16. Meeting point: Eleftheria Square. 10am. In English. www.visitnicosia.com.cy

Indian Lunch

Cooked by Soul Curry. April 16. Home for Cooperation, Nicosia. 11am-3pm. Reservations: 99-593919

Street Food Festival

Lent-themed dishes, music and entertainment. April 17. Neo Plaza, Kokkinotrimithia, Nicosia. 12pm-4pm