A unique Cypriot celebration, the Festival of the Flood (as it is otherwise known) coincides with (Greek) Pentecost and is marked by festivities at all seaside towns: Larnaca, Limassol and Paphos (although some celebrate at different times). Beware - some of these involve lots and lots of water.

The word kataklysmos, meaning flood, is found both in the book of Genesis and in the Greek myth of Deukalion. In both, it refers to the destruction of life on Earth, apart (of course) from the faithful and men of God. In Genesis, Noah and his family and the animals were saved in the Ark, and in the Greek myth, Deukalion and his wife were saved to give birth to a new and moral generation.

The festival kicks off with an ecclesiastical ceremony. The priest proceeds to the harbour, holding a cross. After prayers, he hurls it into the sea for keen swimmers to rescue. The diver who brings it up and hands it back receives his blessing and also the prize of a sovereign. After this, the rest of the jollities begin.

The ceremonies and partying may well last for a few extra days - depending on the town. Expect folk dances, boat races, swimming competitions, wrestling, canoe-races, swimming-races and bellowing of songs such as tchattista, which are improvised verses sung by different parties competing with each other. The most popular custom however involves throwing water at one another, symbolising the purification of the body as well as the soul (and offering a perfect excuse to let rip).

Many believe that Kataklysmos originated from ancient ceremonies in honour of Aphrodite and Adonis.

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