Ice-cream is the undisputed king of summertime treats. Everyone loves it, whether young or old, men or women. It’s cold, it’s refreshing, and most importantly, it’s delicious!

In essence, ice cream is the frozen dessert, which is usually made from cream and milk.

Milk-free ice cream is called granita and usually covers fruit flavors such as lemon or apricot.

The meaning of the word “ice cream” varies from country to country.

However, to separate different varieties and types of ice cream, terms such as: frozen yogurt, sorbet and gelato are used.

The most widespread view of the origin of ice cream is that of Chinese origin, that is, the ice cream is made specifically from Himalayan snows and cream of rice flour, milk and honey.

Many times, ice creams are decorated with various ingredients such as fruit, whipped cream, pies, chocolate or colored truffles, cookies or even syrup, it can be chocolate, strawberry, caramel and cherry or others.

Bulk ice creams, with which the customer can make flavor combinations, are served in a cone, cup or wide glass and are consumed with special ice cream spoons that have a long body.

Ice cream can also be served in balls as an accompaniment to crepes or pies (mainly apple pie) but also to syrupy sweets (such as baklava or kadaifi). Also, there are packaged ice creams on a stick and ice cream sandwiches.

Although today there are ice cream shops, few have “survived”. They work either in a bicycle-cart or in a van, which transports the refrigerator that keeps the ice cream. There are also ice cream parlors that have a permanent place to sell their ice creams.

The most common ice cream flavors are:

• Chocolate
• Strawberry
• Banana
• Cream or Vanilla

There are many others such as:

• Watermelon
• Melon
• Hazel
• Apricot
• Peach
• Nectarine
• Soldier
• Tiramisu
• Mocha
• Lemon
• Rum
• Mint
• Oreo cookies
• Bueno

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Tsiknopempti or Smoking Thursday is the Thursday of the week of Kreatini.

On this day, it is customary in all the houses of Cyprus and Greece to grill meat and eat meat, grilled or in a pan, from where the strong smell of gum emerges in the air.From ancient times the Christians used to make meat tables. In order to have meat, in ancient times they had to slaughter an animal.

The only day that was opportune was Thursday, since Wednesday and Friday of this week there is a strict fast.

Tsiknopempti is also a popular day for going out to eat and enjoying as many different meats as possible.

Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time as restaurants and traditional taverns are typically fully booked!

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Vasilopita pronounced vah-see-LO-pee-tah, is the Greek lucky new year’s cake or bread served at midnight on New Year’s Eve, to celebrate the life of Saint Basil.

After baking the Vasilopita cake, a coin is inserted through the base.

When cut, the person who finds the coin is said to be granted luck for the rest of the year!

So just before 24:00 exactly at midnight, when the change of the year is about to take place, the lights go out and counting down from ten to one and immediately after, everyone wakes up again wishing and happy birthday and a happy new year with the spectacle fireworks in the sky.

Vasilopita enters the table where the householder, after crossing it with the knife, says three times: Happy Birthday and of the Year! and begins to cut it with the first piece of Christ, the Virgin, the House, the Housewife, the Housewife, the Poor, St. Basil, etc. Then begins the feast with songs and dances (New Year’s Eve).

Finally, Vasilopita is often traditionally cut and served in businesses and associations, usually during the first week of the year as a token to welcome the new year with health and prosperity.

And of course, the member or employee that finds the coin is given money or a special gift!

Happy New Year and Happy New Year!

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The Coca-Cola Christmas truck made its appearance in 1995 and to this day has given life to the magic of Christmas to millions of consumers around the world!

From the 4th to the 24th of December, the iconic Coca-Cola truck will pass through its journey from Larnaca, Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos, offering joy and gifts to young and old! It will visit the main streets of each city and will park in large supermarkets and Malls, inviting consumers to be photographed with Santa Claus and his elves!

The dates and times of the visit of the Coca-Cola Christmas truck are presented below:

4/12/21 Larnaca: Ioannides Supermarket, Metropolis Mall 17:00-18:30

5/12/21 Limassol: Sklavenitis Kato Polemidia 17:00-18:30

6/12/21 Nicosia: On the road (Engomi, Aglatzia, Latsia, Center of Nicosia) 17:30-20:00

7/12/21 Nicosia: Papantoniou Engomi 17:00-19:00

8/12/21 Nicosia: Alpha Mega Engomi 17:00-18:30

11/12/21 Paphos: Papantoniou Greece 17:00-19:00

12/12/21 Limassol: Sklavenitis Columbia 17:00-18:30

14/12/21 Nicosia: Papantoniou Engomis 17:00-19:00

15/12/21 Larnaca: Alpha Mega Larnaca 17:00-18:30

16/12/21 Paphos: Alpha Mega Paphos 17:00-18:30

18/12/21 Nicosia: THINK 30 Stasikratous, Lakatameia Metro 16:00-17:00/ 18:00-19:30

19/12/21 Limassol: Alpha Mega Capsalos 17:00-18:30

20/12/21 Larnaca: Larnaca Metro 17:00-18:30

21/12/21 Paphos: Garden of Eden (TSAKARIAS) 17:00-18:30

22/12/21 Limassol: Papantoniou Ύψωνας 17:00-19:00

23/12/21 Nicosia: Mall Lakatameias / Athienitis 16:30-18:00

23/12/21 Nicosia Makariou Avenue Nicosia 19: 0-20:30

24/12/21 Nicosia: Neo Plaza 15:00 – 16:30

24/12/21 Nicosia: Makariou Avenue Nicosia 18:00-19:00

In the stories of the Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus page on Facebook and Instagram you can follow the journey of the Christmas truck and send your photos! Look for it in the streets of Cyprus and share the optimism and joy!

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On December 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31, 2021, Santa Claus will be on the city streets on a motorcycle from the Nicosia Museum of Historic Motorcycles.

Tuesday, December 21, 2021- Makariou Avenue (outside the City Plaza)

• 15:00 – 15:30 Christmas program by the String Orchestra of the European Conservatory
• 15:30 – 16:00 Christmas carols by the European Conservatory Choir
• 16:30 – 17:00 Dance presentation by Olariu Dance Academy
• 17:30 – 18:30 Christmas presentation by the Cyprus Police Philharmonic
• 19:00 – 20:00 Dance by System D-7 Dance Studio

Wednesday, December 22, 2021 in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)

• 18:15 – 18:45 Christmas program by the Symphony Band of the Municipality of Strovolos – European University of Cyprus
• 19:00 – 20:00 Christmas carols from Musicopolis Music School

Thursday, December 23, 2021

• 16:00 – 16:30 Open presentation by the Music and Theater Workshop Maria Chrysostomou in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 16:30 Street theater by Clown Kapello on Stasikratous Street
• 17:00 – 17:30 Dance by E-Motion Dance on Stasikratous Street
• 18:00 Christmas carols by the Children’s Choir of the Municipality of Nicosia on Stasikratous Street
• 18:15 Christmas carols by the Adult Choir of the Municipality of Nicosia on Stasikratous Street
• 18:30 – 18:45 Christmas carols by the Children’s Choir of the Municipality of Aglatzia on Stasikratous Street
• 19.30 – 20.30 Santa Claus with the Coca Cola Bus on Makariou Avenue
• 19:30 – 20:30 Dance by the System D-7 Dance Studio team on Stasikratous Street
• 18:30 – 18:45 Christmas Melodies by the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Pancyprian High School on Ledra, Faneromeni, Onassagorou streets

Friday 24 December 2021

• 12:00 – 13:30 Music trip with Christmas aroma on Makariou Avenue (outside City Plaza)
• 16:00 – 16:30 Open presentation by the Music and Theater Workshop Maria Chrysostomou in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 17:00 – 20:00 Dance action by the Dance Group i Tango on Stasikratous Street
• 18.30 – 19.30 Santa Claus with the Coca-Cola Bus on Makariou Avenue

Sunday, December 26, 2021

• 9:30 Santa Clauses run and walk in the city singing – Santa Run by RuNicosia – start from the Hotel Cleopatra and the APOEL Club
• 12:00 Finish of Santa Run on Makariou Avenue (outside City Plaza) with an Unplugged concert
• 16:00 – 16:30 Christmas carols from the Wind Quartet in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 17:00 – 17:20 Demonstration by the Rhythmic Gymnastics Association Melissanidis in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 17:30 – 18:00 Zumba kids and Kangoo kids street dance by Marianna Dance and Fitness Studio in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 18:00 – 18:30 Zumba adults and Kangoo adults street dance by Marianna Dance and Fitness Studio in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 21:00 – 21:15 Dance from the Dance School on Silk – Aerial Silk Performance on Makariou Avenue (outside City Plaza)

Monday 27 December 2021

• 12:00 – 12:30 Street music from the Wind Quartet in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 16:00 – 16:30 Christmas carols by the Choir of the A Piacere Conservatory in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)

Tuesday 28 December 2021

• 16:00 Christmas carols by the Charisma Choir in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 17:00 Christmas carols by the Municipality of Kythrea Choir in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 18:00 – 18:25 String Orchestra of the Municipality of Strovolos on Makariou Street (outside the City Plaza)
• 18:30 – 18:50 I sing for a purpose with the Choir Small Volunteers of the Municipality of Strovolos on Makariou Street (outside the City Plaza)
• 19:00 – 19:20 Christmas Melodies by Music Moments Accordion Band

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

• 10:00 – 21:00 Christmas activities to inform young people and the public about European programs from the Center of Social Innovation in Eleftherias Square (under the bridge)
• 17:00 – 17:10 Salsa Duet street dance by Dance Motion at the opening of the Ledra-Onassagorou sidewalks
• 18:00 Street dance from Bailando Dance School, at the opening of the sidewalks Ledra – Onassagorou

Thursday, December 30, 2021

• 12:00 – 13:00 Musical-theatrical Event “The Little Child” by Irena Avraamidou in Faneromeni Square

Friday 31 December 2021

• 11:00 – 12:30 Christmas carols by the band The Rest on Makariou Avenue (outside City Plaza)

Sunday, January 2, 2022

• 17:00 – 17:20 Demonstration

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It’s the only chapel dedicated to lovers.

The “Church of Love” is the only chapel in Cyprus and around the world, which is dedicated to the “Virgin of Love”.

It is a beautiful church dedicated to lovers, which is located near the village of Vavla, in the province of Larnaca.

The Church of Love was built in 1935 and its icon was painted in the 16th century. 75 years ago, the image was stolen by unknown priestly thieves, who wanted to take it abroad.

In this little church, according to tradition, the man or woman who wants to fall in love with the one he loves or does not find the expected response, then goes to the little church.

There is the sacred soil of the Virgin Mary, which is located under a marble, behind the Holy Table, in the Virgin Mary of Love. Then he must take a small amount of the sacred soil, which the interested person should throw in the water or coffee that the person who wants to fall in love with will drink and then he will feel the eternal love, for the person who gave it to him. .

They also say that if you visit it with your partner it will seal your love and you will stay in love forever.

On the outside of the church there is a tree, on which are engraved various initially in love people, while inside the church there are photos of couples, heart-shaped candles and written dozens of vows of eternal love.

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It’s a pasta made from flour and milk and has a grainy and irregular shape. The grains are about 2-3 mm in diameter.

It is available in different varieties: sour and sweet, thick and thin.

For the preparation of trachana, goat’s milk that has been left to sour or yogurt is usually used and mixed together with ground wheat and boiled until it becomes a thick mixture.

Produced during the summer months.

Trahanas is also called the soup that is prepared by boiling this dry product in water.

The sour trahanas is fermented with yogurt.

After the trahanas cools, it is molded into shapes and left to dry in the sun.

During the preparation of trahana, the last stage is its drying. To do this the trachanas is spread so that it has the maximum possible surface. This process, the spreading of trachanas, has remained as a popular expression, referring to someone who is typically late. Trachanas is cooked as a soup either with enough water or thicker.

The cooking time of trahana is usually short, about 15-20 minutes. Sometimes it is cooked with tomatoes.

In Cyprus, trahanas is made from finely ground wheat (also called konari in the Cypriot dialect) and is kneaded in a cylindrical shape with a diameter of about less than one centimeter and “spread” in the sun to dry.

It is also made in soup, usually thicker than other soups.

No tomato is used, but egg-lemon and usually contains some kind of meat.

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The visitors will be treated with freshly made palouze, they will have the opportunity to watch it being made, see how zivania is distilled and chech out some more traditional activities of the people in the village. .

Food and drinks will be offered along with traditional music and dances to all guests.

In the framework of the Festival, the process of preparing the traditional delicacy will be shown, while there will be live traditional music and other traditional sweets offered.
The Festival marks the completion of the summer events in the village.

The grape jelly or Palouze is a wonderfully and delicious traditional Cypriot dessert that takes advantage of the glut of grapes grown in the winemaking villages of the island.The traditional way of making palouzes is by mixing 10kg of grape must with 1kg of flour and heating the mixture while stirring continuously until it coagulates, adding rose water, cinnamon and mastic towards the end so as to maintain their aroma. Palouzes is then poured into plates where it is left to cool. Some people enjoy eating palouzes hot but it is more commonly served cold with a garnish of almonds or walnuts, whole or crushed. Due to its high moisture content, it has a few days of shelf life if not refrigerated.

Palouzes is a favourite energy food, often consumed along with zivania, a perfect warm-up during the winter.

There are many versions of how to prepare a palouze. From village to village and from region to region, the recipe is different.

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Shiamishi, is one of the most popular sweets in Cyprus.

Shamishi is made with homemade phyllo filled with an aromatic, sweet semolina cream, flour flavoured with anthonero (rosewater), and mastic.  The sweet is deep-fried and served hot with granulated sugar on top.

Shamishi has been produced in Cyprus since the 19th century and is considered a traditional delicacy of Cyprus’s traditional cuisine.

Loukoumades, are pastries made of leavened and deep-fried dough, soaked in syrup or honey, sometimes coated with cinnamon or other ingredients. The dish has been around as early as the 13th century.

This internationally known, decadent, and sugar-packed dessert is usually made with a mixture of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt, which is deep-fried and then bathed in syrup or honey. The origin of lokma fritters is ancient but often debated. It is presumed that they first appeared in Greece or Turkey, though some suggest an Arabic origin.

Alternatively, loukoumades can be topped with fresh cream, chocolate, sesame seeds, or walnuts.

Both of these desserts are vegan.

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It’s a  distillate produced from the pomace of grapes that were pressed during the wine-making process mixed with high-quality local dry wines produced from local grape varieties of Cyprus such as  Xynisteri and Mayro.

Zivania is characterized by its taste and aroma. It is colorless and pleasantly alcoholic with a light aroma of raisins. Its typical alcohol content is 45% by volume. Zivania contains no sugars and has no acidity.

Zivania has been produced in Cyprus since the time the Republic of Venice ruled the island, around the end of the 15th century.

Zivania, for those who don’t know, is the Cypriot version of Raki or Tsikoudia or Grappa. We sampled the different styles and felt glad of the central heating effect on our bodies. It was January  and even in Cyprus, it is not that warm up in the mountains at that time of year.

In Cyprus, other than enjoying zivania as an alcoholic drink, it is used for several other purposes. Zivania is used to treat wounds, for massaging sore body parts, as a remedy for colds and toothaches or as a warming-up drink during the cold months of winter, especially in the villages of the Troodos Mountains.

In some villages of Cyprus, cinnamon was added to zivania giving it a nice red color and a fine aroma and flavor. As zivania ages it gains a stronger flavor and aroma. Aged zivania has been valued very highly and is kept for consumption during special occasions or as a welcoming treat for visitors.

Even nowadays at some villages in Cyprus, local will welcome visitors with zivania served together with dried nuts, soutzouko or small appetizers like Cypriot loukaniko, lountza and tsamarella.

Zivania is served ice-cold with the local meze, soutzoukos or dried fruit and nuts.

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