The month of May is named after the Greek Goddess Maia, mother of Hermes, who was one of the Mountain Goddesses of Cyllene. Zeus discovered the beautiful young woman and fell in love with her. They eventually had a son, Hermes, together, even though he was married to the jealous Hera.
May in Cyprus can be hard on people as the weather quickly goes from mild to warm with the summer warmth bursting upon us. With this in mind, here is a list of events that will get us outside and enjoying as much sunshine as possible.
►Cypriot Michalis Hatzigiannis features once again at the centre of a concert filled summer of stars around Cyprus. After a successful outing with Onirama in REX last winter, Hatzigiannis is spending Friday 14th May in Limassol at the Spyros Kyprianou Athletic Centre. The net proceeds from the night will go to charity, making his concert that little bit more special. Tickets cost €15, €20 and €30 and are available from all So Easy outlets. For further information please call 25 818164
►Eleftheria Arvanitaki, known for her clear and unique voice, is singing her contemporary classics for all to hear from Monday 17th May until Wednesday 26th May at RED Music Stage. Tickets are available at €45. For further information please call 22 767711
►Spectacular, renowned Greek singers Dimitris Mitropanos and Peggy Zina will be in Cyprus for early June to perform three stunning concerts in Ayia Napa, Limassol and Nicosia. Tickets are available from all So Easy outlets. The dates include D’Avila Moat in Nicosia on June 3rd, Pareklisia Community Stadium in Limassol on 4th June and Ayia Napa Municipal Stadium in Famagusta on 5th June. Tickets range between €30 and €50. For further information please call 99 427735
►Monte Caputo, Limassol is the venue for a golden opportunity to see two famous faces and two upcoming stars in Greek music. Glykeria, famous singer of Greek Laiko music is accompanied by contemporary songwriter Christos Nikolopoulos, as well as Melina Aslanidou and Giorgos Lianos. Tickets are available between €50 and €80 and the live event is a great opportunity to hear some modern and classic songs all in one show. For further information please call 25 636333
►The Cyprus 35th International State Fair opens its gates from the 7th-16th May featuring some innovative selections as well as Michalis Hatzigiannis’ youth concert on 13th May as part of the entrance fee and Cyprus’ 1st Beer Festival from the 12th May. The state fair will be officially inaugurated by President Christofias and will exhibit all sectors of business activities and has attracted increased participation despite the global financial crisis. Visitation is from 6-11pm on Weekdays and Sundays and from 6-12pm on Saturdays at ExpoCyprus in Nicosia. Tickets are €12 and children under 12 go free. For further information please call 22203600
►Since 1998, the ancient site of Choirokoitia has been on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage official list. This Neolithic settlement was found in a better state of preservation than most others from its period, not only in Cyprus, but in the entire Eastern Mediterranean.
Using the traditional Neolithic model, methods and materials, five dwellings have been reconstructed and furnished with copies of objects actually found inside the houses during excavations.
The entrance fee is €1 and it is open Mon - Fri from 9am - 7.30pm and Sat & Sun from 9am-5pm (times vary throughout the year depending on the season). For more information please call 24 322710
►Home to Larnaca District Medieval Museum, Larnaca Fort marks the end of the seafront promenade and houses historical objects including cannons, suits of armour, lace from nearby Lefkara and other assorted items.
Built in 1625 under Ottoman rule, the fort was later used as a prison when the British took over Cyprus in 1878. In summer it is sometimes the venue for concerts and other special events organised by the Municipal Cultural Centre.
The entrance fee is €1 and the Fort is open from Mon-Fri 9am-5pm (until 6pm-7.30pm in summer).
►The Pierides Museum is home to a collection of precious folkloric and archaeological artefacts which have been assembled over five generations by the Pierides family. Begun by the great scholar, Demetrios Pierides (1811-1895) and continued by his sons, their wives and their children, it is a veritable treasure chest of 9000 years of Cypriot history.
The museum also holds the world's most important collection of Cypriot Medieval (Byzantine) glazed ceramic vessels dating from the 13th-16th centuries and a rare collection of 660 Roman glassware items, the most complete of its kind in Europe. A display case of Modern Greek and Cypriot sculptures can be seen in the courtyard.
The entrance fee is €1 and the Museum is open from Mon-Thu 9am-4pm; Fri & Sat 9am-1pm. It is located at 4 Zinonos Kitieos St, just behind the seafront. For more information have a look at their website at www.pieridesfoundation.com.cy, contact pieridesmuseum@laiki.com or call 24 814555
►Larnaca Community Church offer an array of community social events and weekly gatherings. Mother and Tots Group ‘Tots and Co’ meeting twice a week, Ladies Fellowship is fortnightly, Men’s Prayer Breakfast once a month, and Bible Study, Lighthouse and Student Coffee Bar, Search Night (for Students and New Christians), Discoveries Club for 7- 11s and Interchurch Youth Group ‘theINcrowd’ all meet weekly.
For more information please call Fred on 9974 8977. www.lcc-cyprus.org , email info@lcc-cyprus.org.
Enjoy these great events this summer as they promise to be fantastic days out for all the family, and soak up the rays of the loving Cyprus sun.