Cyprus is getting ready for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2026. At the same time, the island is celebrating its local traditions. The Pafos and Limassol Carnivals have now begun. These are two very popular annual festivals. They promise weeks of fun and culture.
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) is discussing its Eurovision 2026 plans. Director General Thanasis Tsokos explained the artist choice. He also talked about the money needed. The chosen artist is Antigoni. She will sing the song "Jalla." CyBC will spend about €170,000. This includes a fee to the European Broadcasting Union. A record label is giving about €100,000 for production. Some scenes in the music video showed fast driving. These will be removed. This is to avoid public problems.
The city of Pafos started its Carnival on Smoky Thursday. The town centre smelled of grilled food. The municipality gave free food like souvlaki and burgers. People could buy drinks. The event was about community spirit. DJ Claudio and the band Time Surfers performed. Eleonora La Luna sang disco and retro songs. People wore creative costumes. The centre became very colourful.
Limassol has also started its 11-day carnival. This is a big tradition for the city. The celebrations began on Smoky Thursday. The city centre is now a place for music and parties. Famous music groups like "Kantadoroi Lemesou" are performing. A percussion group called "Batukinio" is also playing. The main parade is on Sunday, February 22nd. The Carnival Queen is Amaryllis Kyriakou. She is the "Queen of Passion and Madness." Many groups will be in the parade. These events show Cyprus's culture. They mix international goals with local traditions.