Happy Easter - Christ is risen - He is risen indeed!
Our village of Kouklia celebrates Easter with the same excitement and tradition of all Cypriot villages. Easter is a bigger celebration than Christmas here. It is truly a wonderful experience to belong and be a part of their culture if only for a moment.
Saturday night is a huge bonfire for the burning of the effigy of Judas followed by the lighting of candles at the church, then a grand display of fireworks. After church on Sunday, there are all the usual sack-races, egg & spoon races, stone lifting (scary) and "fishing apple and candy with mouth". This is followed with live music and traditional dances - including dancing with glasses and a bottle on one's head. We sat at 'Gavriellie's for a great view of the whole village square.
Monday starts early with a sunrise service followed by a bike race later in the afternoon. In the evening the Kouklia youth club (not to mention some older participants) put on a very theatrical play - it is usually a parody of village life. It was hilarious even without the benefit of understanding the words. Tuesday finishes with a treasure hunt and bingo.
I also had the honour of being invited to lunch on Sunday and again on Monday to the homes of some Cypriot friends. The women cook all week and on the day, the men gather around the hot coals and roast the meat on huge long spits. Then 30 - 40 friends and family sit at 3 or 4 long tables joined end to end, and eat for hours. Lots of Zivania- I finally learned the secret to partaking without shuddering. If you put a capful in a glass of 7-Up you can honestly say that you have some and can toast with the rest of them.
I am now ready to stop eating for about a week. I think the fasting should be done after Easter instead of before.
Take care and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in a couple of weeks.
Love,
Laurel
