Festive spirit takes hold in the north

It is the most wonderful time of the year, and in the northern part of Cyprus, religion has proven no barrier to partaking in winter festivities.

Across the north over the Christmas period and through the New Year, celebrations and markets will take place to bring a little bit of joy to people through the winter’s coldest and darkest days.

The Turkish Cypriot Kyrenia Municipality are hosting a Christmas Bazaar at the town’s central Ramadan Cemil Square, on December 23 and 24, which will feature stands with handmade gifts and food and drinks.

The Turkish Cypriot Famagusta Municipality will also host a Christmas Bazaar of their own on December 23 and 24, which will take place at the Namik Kemal Square, in front of the Lala Mustafa Pasha Mosque.

Father Christmas will also make an appearance, and there will be “various surprises for children” at the market.

In Trikomo, the municipality has organised a Christmas Eve swim at the municipality’s public beach.

There will be food, drinks, and seasonal music at the beach, will swimmers encouraged to make a 100TL donation to the Tulips cancer charity. Tulips will also hold their own “chilly dippers” New Year’s Eve swim at the Driftwood restaurant in Lapithos.

A further charity swim will also be held on December 25 at the Lord’s Palace hotel in Kyrenia, with proceeds being split between the Kemal Saracoglu children’s cancer charity and Tulips.

On December 25 and 26, the Eastern Mediterranean University’s Law Faculty will also hold a Christmas Bazaar with various traditional food and drinks and other gift items on sale.

All proceeds from sales made at the bazaar will be donated to the “Champion Angels Association”, the charity founded by the families of Cypriot children who were killed in February’s earthquakes in Turkey.

In the capital, the Nicosia Turkish Municipality (LTB) will hold a “New Year’s Market” at the Lefkeliler Hani, the square behind the Buyuk Han on its western side, on December 29 and 30.

The market will feature food and drink stands, a “snow show”, other gift stands, tours on the Nicosia train tour, and an appearance from Father Christmas himself.