Cyprus marks the Kataklysmos festival on Monday, a traditional celebration held 50 days after Easter, coinciding with Pentecost.

The festival honours the descent of the Holy Spirit and is closely linked with water, symbolising cleansing and renewal. Despite the current period of drought, coastal towns have organised events since last week, reaching a peak on Monday. Kataklysmos, meaning “flood” in Greek, has ancient roots combining Christian and pre-Christian traditions. The festival commemorates the Biblical story of Noah’s Flood, while also drawing from ancient Greek rituals dedicated to gods such as Apollo and Aphrodite, both associated with water and fertility.

Historically, the celebration included songs, dances, and “tsiattista,” an impromptu form of oral poetry. Traditional treats such as loukoumades and “porika” — sweets made with nuts and soutzoukos, a chewy grape juice confection resembling candles — are sold from temporary stalls during the festivities. Local authorities across Cyprus’ coastal municipalities organise Kataklysmos events, blending religious ceremonies with cultural activities and games involving water. While the festival once held a strong commercial character, recent years have seen it evolve to include large concerts and other modern cultural events.

Larnaca is one of the oldest centres of the festival, with celebrations officially institutionalised by the city’s municipality since 1918, though the tradition dates back further. The Finikoudes beach is a focal point of June 9th celebrations in Larnaca.

Before 1974, Famagusta was renowned for its Kataklysmos celebrations, particularly at a site known as “Glossa”. Since the occupation of Famagusta by Turkish forces, the festival’s events have shifted to Protaras and Ayia Napa. Kyrenia also hosted festivities until 1974, and Limassol remains well known for its own version of the flood festival.

The festival’s emphasis on water, a symbol of rebirth and cleansing, remains significant, even as Cyprus faces environmental challenges. The ongoing drought adds a poignant note to the celebrations, highlighting the island’s deep cultural ties to water and the natural world.

Kataklysmos continues to serve as a vibrant reminder of Cyprus’ rich heritage, blending faith, folklore, and community spirit on the country’s sun-kissed shores.