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Yermasoyia Municipality in Limassol has announced that it will be hosting its annual flower festival, known locally as Anthestiria, on May 13 and 14. With its origins in ancient Greece, the celebration was traditionally held to welcome the arrival of spring and honour Dionysus, the god of fertility and the vine. The celebrations were held mainly in Athens and lasted for three days.
According to Greek mythology, when Hades, the god of the underworld, set eyes on Persephone, the daughter of farming goddess Demeter, he was so overwhelmed by her beauty that he decided to abduct her and take her away to his underground kingdom. At the time, Persephone was gathering flowers.
While spring was away, Demeter, the Mother Nature - wandered the earth in search of her only daughter. During her tour, death and bareness fell all around. The human race now faced the threat of total destruction, so Zeus, the supreme god and brother of Hades, intervened. Hades agreed to allow her to go back for a third of the year, but for the other two thirds, he declared she was to live with him.
Thus it was said that the cold winter months were the time when Persephone was reigning in the underworld.
When Demeter realised her daughter had returned she was so overjoyed, that she gave life back to the earth, which sprouted flowers, plants and blossom. This was spring.
This is the story celebrated by Cypriots each May, in a bid to follow ancient tradition and welcome spring, the time for renewal of life and nature everywhere.
In Limassol, the annual Flower Celebration is organised by the Yermasoyia Municipality with the support of local municipalities, the Cyprus Tourism Organisation and many others.
It last for two days and offers exhibitions, a flower market and various shows, all in the centre of the seafront tourist area of Yermasoyia.
Most impressive is the flower parade, with chariots decorated with flowers and people in a variety of costumes.
The festival will begin on Saturday, May 13, at the Potamos Yermasoyia Parking Area at 7pm. It will continue through the day on Sunday, May 14. | 
