The Cyprus traditions that refuse to disappear
Traditional Cypriot music drifts across Zygi harbour, ice cream melts in children’s hands, and crowds gather in anticipation of the Kataklysmos aquatic games. I arrive just as the event begins, eager to enjoy the traditions of the Flood Festival and experience the revival of customs celebrated in pre-1974 Kyrenia. For the past three years, the municipalities of Kyrenia, Lapithos and Karava with the communities of the Kyrenia district and the Zygi community have organised the
The coastal community of Zygi recently hosted a vibrant celebration of the Kataklysmos, or Flood Festival, aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of displaced residents from the Kyrenia district. Originally established in 1982 by the Kyrenia Nautical Club, the event serves as a vital link for younger generations to connect with customs that were once central to life in pre-1974 Kyrenia. Attendees witnessed a variety of traditional aquatic games, including swimming races and the iconic lemon-retrieval challenge, while a replica of the ancient Kyrenia ship remained on display as a symbol of historical pride. These festivities provide a rare opportunity for families to pass down oral histories and customs that might otherwise fade from memory in modern urban environments. By recreating these long-standing traditions, organizers hope to maintain a sense of community identity and continuity for those whose ancestral homes remain inaccessible.
This event highlights the ongoing efforts of displaced communities to safeguard their cultural identity and historical legacy through the active practice of traditional customs.
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