With the Christmas just around the corner we have plenty of events of a spiritual nature, the time of reflection is upon us providing the opportunity to recognise one another with mutual love and respect. Events like Together Open Society program hosted by the Municipality of Paphos remind us what the festive season is all about! Our traditions pave the way for inclusion leaving no room exclusion!
Traditions are something of a cliché they can be a celebration merely of things that were done in the past that have no holding on the present, simply repeated because that what one does, they hold on to elements from their past because it’s what they have always known, which can be both beneficial and regressive dependant on the emotional memory that an event may carry.
There’s also another much more positive element that encompasses a celebration of life, and the prospect of a better one. The modern age has also seen such a dilemma, progress has helped us to develop and advance in many fields especially in relation to technology. On the other hand, there is more fast food than ever, we are dictated to by work and the demands of 21st century living which often means that we don’t have as much time for our families and with most households with both partners working it is almost impossible to have a home cooked meal every day. Therein lies the benefit of celebrating the traditional way of life, certain elements must be introduced back into modern life, in fact it is essential. Organic foods weren’t given a label in bygone times it was simply known as food, made by default in an organic way. Food was locally sourced and usually by neighbours who was the local farmer, butcher, green grocer, baker and so on. In some cases, homes were even self-sufficient making and producing everything they needed from scratch in their very own ‘backyard’ usually the dwelling was situated on arable farm land or perhaps even by the sea but this seems like a beautiful dream but for many it is a distant memory.
Music is an integral part of Cypriot culture and often ‘wine songs’ or farm songs evolved to pass the time and boost motivation, born out of the purity of honest work. We look back at them know with fondness. We are very fortunate to still be around with compatriots that grew up in this age that possess these memories from their childhood. The fantastic thing about our Cypriot community here in the UK is that we haven’t forgotten about these integral parts of our customs and we have celebrated them in books, in newspaper articles, in events and in festivals. It is especially something the CyWineFest is proud to represent, always providing ‘paradosiaka’ (traditional) element. At this year’s CyWineFest we had the pleasure of hosting the traditional dance group Karotsteris from Aradippou not only performing their spectacular dance routines and showing their core strength in their manoeuvres but also giving the public the opportunity to witness first-hand the making Soutzouko and Palouze whereby visitors got a chance to taste the freshest product and if there taste buds liked it, got to by a tub or two.
CyWineFest is a conglomeration not only of all the event the municipalities of Cyprus host but it converges with the traditions that have sprouted from the diaspora here in the UK. Cypriots have been residing in the UK for over a century and no doubt have influenced local community culture. Being a people always looking to celebrate life, the events that associations, committees and organisations host help to keep the traditions and customs back in Cyprus but also back in time. Many Cypriots have always held the belief that British Cypriots hold the customs from the motherland greater than they do in Cyprus, however, it has been in the past directed as some sort of insult, and as the decades have passed by the same comment lingers but the nature of it has transformed to contain a hint of envy.
Events that celebrate this purer lifestyle are an important element to remind us of simpler times, when we prioritised our health, cooking good clean foods absent of E- numbers and colourings. That is not so say that eating 5 kilos of Soutzouko a day is good for one’s health but everything in moderation. The continuous celebrations hosted by Cypriots reinforce that integral part of their culture, the amazing thing about CyWineFest is that all these traditions from various associations held by Cypriots from all over the world are celebrated in one place, with London providing the platform!
Credit: CyWineFest team
Photo credit:
(1) Soutzoukos being prepared by a multitasking Karotseris member – Alexios Gennaris
(2) Part of the Karotseris group – Alexios Gennaris
(3) LOEL – Kafeneion staff at CyWineFest 2018 – Petros Pentayiotis
(4) Freshly made Soutzouko and Palouze – Petros Pentayiotis
(5) Marios from Karotseris group doing what he does best – Alexios Gennaris