Cantada Festival Celebrates Limassol’s Serenade Tradition

What: 1st Cantada Festival – Kostas Gregoriou
When: June 25, 8 pm
Where: Epiloigi Cultural Movement, Limassol
Admission: Free

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Cantada Festival Celebrates Limassol’s Serenade Tradition

Cantades, or serenade songs, hold a special place in Limassol’s cultural heritage, traditionally sung by men’s vocal groups, particularly during carnival season. This June marks the inaugural Cantada Festival – Kostas Gregoriou, a tribute to these cherished melodies and to Kostas Gregoriou, a devoted advocate of Cypriot serenade songs.

Scheduled for June 25, coinciding with World Maritime Day, the festival will unfold in the atmospheric courtyard of the Epiloigi Cultural Movement. This choice of venue is not only for its excellent acoustics but also because it echoes the natural settings where these songs were originally performed—without amplification, in the open air, as practiced by the city’s earlier vocalists. Starting at 8 pm, the event will feature five vocal ensembles renowned for their dedication to this genre, each presenting a repertoire of five songs.

A Tradition Preserved: The Heartbeat of Limassol

The Cantada Festival aims not only to celebrate but also to safeguard Limassol’s musical heritage, a cornerstone of the city’s cultural identity cherished by generations past. By showcasing these traditional songs, organizers hope to instill a deeper appreciation among both locals and visitors alike.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Cantada Festival

Anticipated to become an annual highlight in Limassol’s cultural calendar, organizers are already planning to expand next year’s festival into a three-day extravaganza. They aim to attract renowned musical ensembles from the Ionian Islands, further enriching the festival’s offerings and broadening its appeal.

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