September is here and along with it come a series of traditional festivals celebrating the season and the island’s culture. Anogyra village in the Limassol district is busy preparing for its 34th Pasteli Festival, held at the central square on September 22.
The one-day festival highlights and promotes the tradition, cultural heritage and importance of carobs and their by-products, promotes traditional and creative gastronomy and offers opportunities for learning.
“Pastelli is a part of the cultural heritage of Anogyra,” organisers say. “It has enormous nutritional value, is a precious treasure full of vitamins, with countless uses. Travel in time, by walking through the stone-built houses of the village and its historical monuments, indulge yourself in the tastes and aromas, attend the demonstration of how the black gold turns into golden pasteli and feel the magic of its taste. The festival’s organising committee has taken care of every aspect to offer you a unique day that will touch all your senses.”
Stalls with 30 exhibitors will take over the village square sharing traditional Cypriot delicacies made with carobs and carob syrup. Besides smelling and tasting the goods, young children will be able to get hands-on and crafty as four instructors will lead art-making workshops using the seeds and wood of the carob tree.
What’s more, the taverns of the village will be busy serving their unique gastronomy, while the village’s picturesque streets will fill with stands selling pasteli, organic cosmetics, carob syrup soaps and more. Of course, it would not be a Cypriot festival without some live entertainment. Musicians and dancers will perform throughout the day as the festival is on from 11am to 8pm.
34th Pasteli Festival
Traditional festival with pasteli products and live entertainment. September 22. Anogyra village central square, Limassol district. 11am-8pm