Paphos tourism board gears up for grape festival

The Paphos Regional Tourism Board (Etap) this week said that preparations are in full swing in the village of Panagia as it gears up to host this year’s grape festival this coming Sunday, September 15.

According to the announcement, the event is now in its fourth year and will celebrate the grape harvest with a host of traditional activities.

Etap mentioned that Panagia is “renowned for its vineyards and its rich tradition in wine and grape production”.

Etap director Nasos Hadjigeorgiou said that the festival will feature a re-enactment of the grape harvest, complete with donkeys and traditional music.

After the grapes are collected, he explained, they will be placed in baskets on the donkeys, and visitors will be offered traditional snacks in the vineyard area.

Once back at the village square, the harvested grapes will be placed in a traditional press for juice extraction, accompanied by live music.

In addition to the grape pressing, visitors will have the chance to explore various stalls showcasing traditional grape-based products.

There will also be a live distillation of zivania, Cyprus’ traditional pomace brandy, while free grapes and wine will also be offered to guests.

The festival will also feature a grape harvest dance and will be complemented by traditional Cypriot music from a band led by Michalis Hadjimichael and Andri Karantoni.

“Etap Paphos, one of the event’s supporters, invites both local and international visitors, as well as permanent residents of Cyprus, to join in and celebrate this traditional event,” the announcement concluded.