New season, more festivals in Cyprus

The beat goes on. And other activities too. ELENI PHILIPPOU finds out more

 After the suspension of life as we now in for much of August, September brings the return of many things, the new school year, the return to the office and the re-start of afternoon activities. Also to be included is a whole new month of festivals which add a boost for those suffering from post-summer blues.

Paphos Beer Festival

Arriving first is Paphos Beer Festival. From September 1-3 the festival will transform Paphos Medieaval Castle and present more than 100 beer options. Food stalls, bars and, of course, a large variety of beers will be on throughout the three days alongside live performances. Opening the festival is local band Symbiosis, a four-piece rock band that plays high-energy rock anthems. More musicians will perform each night and updates will be shared on the festival’s Facebook event page.

Paphos Beer Festival

September 1-3. Paphos Medieval Castle, Paphos. Free

Septemberfest Nicosia Beer Fun Festival

Staying with the beer and music is the annual Septemberfest on September 1-7 in Aglandjia. Back for its 11^th edition, this beer festival offers six nights of entertainment with musicians from Cyprus and Greece, and plenty of beers. Held at Akadimias Park, each evening the festival will welcome another music star to its stage while a huge variety of food and drink stalls serve visitors. This year, Nikos Makropoulous will perform on the first night, Stelios Rokkos on the second and Paschalis, Kostas Tournas and Stelios Mac the third. Up next are Miltos Paschalides on September 4 as well as local band Prospectus. The following night Greek band Melisses will take to the stage followed the next evening by Dionysis Schoinas and Kostas Lainas. Concluding the festival’s performances are Giannis Ploutarchos, Giorgos Kakosaios and Katerina Kakosaiou.

Septemberfest Nicosia Beer Fun Festival

September 1-7. Akadimias Park, Aglantzia, Nicosia. 7pm-12am. €10. www.septemberfest.com.cy

Flying Away Festival

As one festival ends, another one begins. The art and music festival Flying Away returns to Nicosia after a three-year break and from September 9 to 11 it offers daily entertainment. For three days, Orfeas Stadium will fill with local artists and creatives with 150 once again set to showcase, and sell, their creations.

Popular bands, musicians and DJs are to perform this year at Flying Away starting with Despoina Vandi on September 9 and DJ Chris Blenda. Saturday’s music will be left at the hands of the famous Greek band Mble and Professional Sinnerz & Komis before DJ Charitos wraps up the night. On the final night of the festival, Locomondo returns. Also playing on Sunday 11 is DJ Portiero.

Flying Away Festival

September 9 – 11. Orfeas Stadium, Nicosia. 6pm-12am. Facebook page @FlyingAwayFestival

Vegan Fam Fest

Offering something different is this daytime festival with a mission. Vegan Fam Fest is a celebration of all forms of life and an opportunity for anyone interested in a healthy zero harm lifestyle, to come together and enjoy an exciting day. On September 10, the festival will be held for the second time at the Ancient Olive Tree Park in Psematismenos.

From 10am until 11pm, visitors will have a chance to learn about veganism through speeches and seminars, taste vegan food and sweets, attend workshops, yoga classes, cooking courses by Lidl Food Academy, gardening, product exhibitions, a kids’ corner, shop and listen to DJs and live music performances. And all for free.

Vegan Fam Festival

One-day festival with workshops, artists, music and more. September 10. Ancient Olive Trees Park, Larnaca. 11am-11pm. Free

15th Mediterranean Folklore Dance Festival

Highlighting traditional and folklore dances is the latest edition of the Mediterranean Folklore Dance Festival. Around 15 international groups will take part in the festival alongside another 15 local dance groups. The festival will begin on September 17 with a 10am parade from Athenon Avenue and performances at Ermou-Agios Lazaros squares. Another parade starting from the police station will set off at 7pm, passing from Athenon Avenue and ending at Finikoudes promenade. There the opening ceremony will take place at 8pm and is where the rest of the festival’s performances will happen on September 18 and 19.

15th Mediterranean Folklore Dance Festival

September 17-19. Finikoudes stage, Larnaca. 8pm. Free

Sardam Interdisciplinary Festival

Last but not least, is Sardam will celebrate its 10^th-anniversary edition this September with a three-day festival on September 23-25. Literary performances and readings, workshops and parallel events will take place. The main event will take place on Saturday 24 at Rialto Theatre for the first time and will include performances by writers, authors and text-based artists from Cyprus, Greece, Switzerland, the UK, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Germany and Japan. A series of parallel events, some online, will also help celebrate all things literature.

10^th Sardam Interdisciplinary Literature Festival

Anniversary edition of festival with readings, performances, workshops and events. September 23-25. Throughout Limassol. www.sardamcy.wordpress.com. Facebook page: @sardamfestival