Anthesteria in Pafos

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Pafos holds an annual Anthesteria Festival each May to celebrate spring and the rebirth of nature. The event, including a parade of floats and pedestrians carrying flowers, is inspired by the ancient Anthesteria festivals.

These were held in Athens to honour Dionysos, the god of fertility and vine and to celebrate the rebirth of man and nature. They were linked to the Greek myth on the abduction of Persephone by the god of the underworld Ploutonas. Her mother Demetra, goddess of agriculture and fertility, is so distraught that she neglects the land and famine threatens.

Dias intercedes and persuades Ploutonas to allow Persephone back. Demetra is so overjoyed with her return that she gives life back to earth – symbolizing spring. The parade is usually held on the coastal avenue as far as the old harbour of Kato Pafos. The word Anthesteria comes from the Greek word anthos meaning flower.

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Cyprus Tourism