This year’s Wine Festival promises a glamorous comeback after a year of absence due to the pandemic with “impressive” opening and closing ceremonies, and many activities for everyone, Limassol municipality announced on Monday. 

The municipality said it would celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Wine Festival, set to take place between October 9 and 16 at the Limassol municipal gardens, with the due “splendour”. 

Though the festival will be adjusted according to the health protocols in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus, organisers said it will have many activities and retain its traditional identity. 

“Our traditional Vrakas has taken his place and invites people to enjoy more than ever our customs and traditions,” the municipality said, referring to the well-known statue of a man wearing the traditional Cypriot attire, installed every year outside the municipal garden and which signifies the start of the Wine Festival.

Trade and Commerce Minister Natasa Pilides will open the festival on October 9.

Limassol’s four wineries, Etko, Keo, Loel and Sodap will take part, as well as the Cyprus wineries association, the commandaria wine-producing villages, and the Cyprus wine academy, among others.

A photo exhibition will also be among the events for the first time this year, from the beginning of the 1960s to-date. Photographs by photo-reporter Kyriacos Andreou will be exhibited on vineyards, Cyprus’ wine, and the Wine Festival.

Concerts, theatre plays, shadow puppet shows, dance shows, and lectures are some of the events of this year’s programme.

Food will be available at the four open-air restaurants while wineries will be selling their produce at special prices. Commandaria will also be available.

The entrance will be €5 for adults and €3 for children six to 18. With the tickets, visitors will be entitled to free entrance to all shows at the garden’s theatre stage and a discount for the purchase of bottled wine.

Entrance to the municipal gardens will be allowed only with a SafePass. People over 12 must wear a face mask.