The southern coastal town of Limassol, renown for its carnival celebrations, this year will host the biggest carnival parade that has ever taken place in Cyprus, with 140 participants.

Limassol carnival, an annual event to mark the beginning of Lent, will take place under the title “The diamond of the Mediterranean” March 3-13.

Mayor Andreas Christou presented this year’s programme and the Queen of Carnival, this year portrayed by Elena Papadopoulou.

Christou said Limassol carnival has kept its popularity, with an additional 30 participants joining in the parade this year.

“This year’s celebrations are taking place at a time when people are looking for a respite from the daily problems and a moment to unwind. Despite the difficulties we are facing, we are here to welcome a new year and springtime that carries its own optimistic messages of renewal and regeneration,” he said.

The official carnival events kick off on March 3, Ash Thursday or Fat Thursday, or Greek “Tsiknopempti“, which is a traditional Christian feast marking the last Thursday before Lent. It is the beginning of the last weekend that members of the Greek Orthodox Church are allowed to eat meat. Given that Lent is a time of fasting, the next opportunity to feast is not until Easter, fifty days later.

Events dedicated to the Carnival, however, will begin from Monday, February 29.

The Carnival Queen and her entourage will enter the city on the evening of March 3 (7pm). She will be surrounded by the Mayor and the members of the Municipal Council, the royal family, groups of Serenaders, the Limassol Municipality Brass Band, the Majorettes of the Cyprus Girl Guides Association, the Batukinio percussion instruments group and the Limassol Majorettes.

The parade will set off from Gregoris Afxentiou Square (in front of the District Office Building) and will pass through Stasinou and Andrea Drousioti streets before ending up at Heroe’s Square where a party will take place to the sounds of the music group Los Carnavalos.

There will be three carnival fiestas, the first on Tsikopempti at 11am in front of the Limassol Cooperative Savings Bank, on March 8 at the Medieval Castle Square at 8.30pm, and March 13, last day of events at 8pm at the Enaerios Parking Place.

The Grand Carnival Parade will be held on March 13 at 1pm along Makarios III Avenue.