Limassol wine festival back on full display

The wine festival has entered a new post pandemic era according to Limassol mayor Nicos Nicolaides who was attending the placing of the ‘vrakas’ figure at the city’s public garden on Monday along with members of the municipal council.

“The wine festival is the biggest, most important folk celebration of the country and through this we want to promote our wine villages, the production of wine in our country and also promote the country’s tourist product,” he said.

A large figure of a ‘vrakas’ – that is a man dressed in Cypriot traditional breeches – is erected every year at Limassol’s public garden were the wine festival takes place.

“Many people have worked for months to present something impressive to the people of Limassol. A wine festival they will remember as upgraded, improved, renewed,” the mayor said.

He said performances by Greek artists such as Kostas Makedonas, Pantelis Thalassinos, Glykeria, Mario are included in the celebrations.

In total, five tavernas with music will be operating every night during the festival.

The mayor also highlighted the travelling nature of this year’s festival as events will be held at neighboring communities as well.

This includes an event on September 18 at the wine village of Vasa Koilaniou, an event on September 25 at the commandaria village of Agios Mamas, while before the official commencement of the festival, on September 14 and 15 events will be held in Zakaki and at the Renaissance Park respectively.

Asked about whether the construction works taking place at the garden’s northern part will affect the festival, the mayor said that it will not affect the festival at all, neither in terms of security nor in terms of space.

The 61st Wine Festival will take place from September 17 to 25 and its full schedule will be announced in a press conference soon.