![]() ![]() ![]() Garlic, lemon, tomato and chilli are incorporated, and often chicken is too. It uses sun-dried Molihiya leaves which have distinct and potent flavour. MolihiyaĪ spinach-like dish often seen in Northern Cyprus, Molihiya is perhaps of Arabic origin. If it’s grilled (it usually is) it’s best consumed within minutes of it being served, preferably with copious lemon juice. Is it Greek, or is it Turkish? No matter where you stand on the debate on its origins, this rich brined cheese is one of the must-eat foods in Cyprus. Meze dishes might include hummus, beetroot, yoghurt, grilled halloumi, spicy pastourma (cured sausage), koupepia or dolma (stuffed vine leaves) … the list goes on. It’s the share-plate style of eating, the perfect accompaniment to a few drinks with friends. Meze is a major pillar of Cypriot food culture, in the same way tapas is to the Spaniards. The beauty of eating in Northern Cyprus is that ingredients tend to be local, as food production is more agrarian in the north than in the south. The cuisine of Turkish Cypriots comes from Mediterranean, Southern European and Middle Eastern influences. While the cuisine is the main focus, music and market stalls feature among the festivities. Eco Festival, Buyyokonuk (October)įor many years the village of Buyokkonuk has been a bastion of sustainable tourism and all things local, and this late-summer festival is a place to taste Cypriot food done the slow, proper way. With a strong world music bent, it’s a great place to experience just how much more there is to the region than sun, surf and sand. ![]() Spanning hip hop, reggae, pop and classical, this 20+ year-old event has steadily grown into one of the most significant music festivals of the Mediterranean. International Famagusta Art & Culture Festival (June/July) Olives are certainly not the only focus dance performances, market stalls and seminars have all been known to feature in this multi-day affair. It started in 2001 and before too long grew to attract visiting artists from many neighbouring countries. North Cyprus Olive Festival, Kyrenia (October) Famagusta, meanwhile, has a reputation for regular music festivals. In the north of Cyprus, food is a major theme of the festival calendar, with an event to celebrate just about any Cypriot food imaginable: the orange, grape, lemon, date, tulip and walnut, just to name a few. The Limassol Carnival is a major event in the south – it’s one of the best-known carnivals in Europe. The Cypriots are a festive bunch, which shows in their jam-packed calendar. The culture of northern Cyprus is strongly influenced by Turkey, but Turkish Cypriots consider themselves Cypriot first and foremost. The Republic of Northern Cyprus (formally recognised only by Turkey) is characterised by a Turkish–Cypriot dialect, warm hospitality and friendliness, and Islam (though its practice is not as overt as in many other Muslim countries). ![]() While southern Cyprus has seen rapid tourism growth and environmental degradation, tourism in the north is growing at a much slower rate. Indeed the reopening of border points in 2003, allowing domestic travel between north and south, was a step forward. One need only look at the Home for Cooperation, a community centre and NGO hub located in the Green Line (the UN Buffer Zone between north and south) to see signs of hope for unification. There are still many signs of cultural harmony, though. Nowadays, however, with the island formally divided, there is more of a cultural divide. Turkish Cypriots are the Turkish-speaking Muslim community, who occupy the northern part of the country (roughly a third of it).īefore the 1974 military coup and the subsequent split of the island, the two groups were largely mixed. Greek Cypriots are the Greek-speaking Greek Orthodox community they occupy the south. There are really two kinds of Cypriots though: Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, since Cyprus is divided in two. Cypriots are generally known for their warmly hospitable quality, and the high value they place on family. ![]()
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