The rhythms of the carnival have started in Limassol, where the new King of the Carnival will be crowned on Thursday.

In a surprise announcement, Rio Carnival’s King and Queen said they will be visiting Limassol in March.

They will be welcomed to the sounds of a new song by Marija Savina called Life is a Carnival.

The programme of events, this year’s innovations and the official presentation of Vassilis Papavasiliou as the youngest King of the Limassol Carnival, were presented on Friday evening at the Panos Solomonides Cultural Centre, in the presence of the entire Royal Family of the Carnival.

“This year, our carnival is even more dynamic, renewed, enriched and ready to offer unique experiences to people of all ages,” said Limassol mayor Yiannis Armeftis.

“I expect you to dance,” carnival king Papavasiliou added.

In their audiovisual message, the King and Queen of Rio, host of the most famous carnival in the world, wished everyone success and announced that they will visit Limassol in March.

The song, in English, Life is a Carnival, with lyrics and music by Marija Savina was also presented. It was Savina who encouraged the municipal authorities to invite the Rio King and Queen.

Limassol carnival events begin on Wednesday at 7pm with the opening of the 18th mask exhibition by Vera Efthymiou Parlalidou at Theomaria art hall. On the same day, at 8pm, groups of serenaders will sing in the narrow streets of the city centre, starting from the municipality.

On Friday at 7pm the traditional event to honour the queen of Carnival, Ritsas Koutsoudis, will be held.

Stinky Thursday (Tsiknopempti) events will begin at 10am with a carnival funfair, with music and treats, in front of the Hellenic Bank (Gladstonos Street) and the Bank of Cyprus (Ayios Andreas Street opposite the church of Ayia Napa), while at 1:30pm the group Kandadori Limassol. A DJ set will follow until 10pm.

At 7pm, the mayor and municipal council, the Royal Carnival Family, the Municipal Philharmonic, the Cheerleaders of the Cyprus Drivers’ Corps and the Limassol Cheerleaders will start from the municipality and lead a procession to Grigoris Afxentiou Square, where at 7:30pm the float of the Carnival King will make its entrance.

To the sounds of the Batukinio percussion group, the coronation ceremony of the new King will take place, followed by a carnival party.

The highlight of the events will be the Grand Carnival Parade on Sunday March 2 along Archbishop Makarios III Avenue in which 127 groups have registered to participate and around 35,000 people are expected to march.

A full programme of events can be found on the Limassol municipality website